Copper pipes have been used for 80 years, and many of those original lines are still working well. There are many types of plumbing pipes for residential or commercial buildings. Plumbing pipes such as PEX, copper and PVC are typically used depending on their application and the location where they are installed. In addition, there are other types of plumbing pipes, such as black, galvanized and brass.
Let's see below the best application for the most common used plumbing pipes. Stainless steel may look great, but it's very expensive. Stainless steel tubing is used in areas subject to corrosion and near coastal areas. This type of pipe is available in both flexible and rigid versions and you will need some special couplings to join other types of pipes.
Don't confuse stainless steel tubes with galvanized tubes. It is available in various sizes and lengths. PEX pipes are flexible plastic pipes that have become a popular selection in residential and small business applications. Although its initial cost is slightly higher, its minimal maintenance and quick installation process make it the best pipe for water distribution within a building.
PEX pipes provide a leak-free product that offers advantages over copper pipes. One of the most significant drawbacks is that it cannot be used in outdoor applications because UV rays can damage its outer plastic layer. PEX pipes are not recommended for all uses nor are they approved for use in all areas. Consult local guidelines before buying or installing PEX pipes.
Copper tubes are probably the most traditional plumbing tubes used because of their long life and reliability. They provide superior corrosion resistance, an excellent material for use in cold and hot water, and can be easily managed. However, the most important factor to consider before using copper pipes is that they must be soldered together and may require additional fittings. Not everyone is good at soldering copper tubes, so talk to a plumber.
Standard PVC pipes are used only for drainage, while CPVC can be used for domestic water needs. Galvanized pipe was used several years ago as a standard for residential projects. However, over time it has been used less frequently in domestic environments because rust can build up inside small diameter pipes. If the pipe is old enough, you can see water coming out of the faucet with traces of rust, since lime can come off the inside of the pipe.
Galvanized tubes can be used to transport gray water or non-drinkable water. In non-residential environments, galvanized tubing is used to transport sanitary pump discharge and in outdoor gas applications. Brass plumbing tubes provide great resistance to oxidation if they are made of 67 to 85 percent copper. The best grade of brass tubing is obtained when the alloy contains 85 percent copper and is called red brass tubing.
Brass tubing provides a durable material that does not rust inside and does not cause friction losses inside the pipe. Brass plumbing tubes are easier to thread than steel tubes and are excellent for hot water systems and large distribution systems, such as pump accessories, water tanks, and wells. Brass tubing is normally one of the most durable plumbing materials. Brass tubing comes in a variety of straight lengths up to 12 feet.
As the name suggests, CPVC is a PVC pipe with a higher chlorine content. CPVC is suitable for hot water and drinking water, unlike normal PVC. Compared to copper, CPVC pipes are smoother and produce less noise when water flows through them. CPVC pipes are also insulated to prevent energy loss, are more flexible than metal pipes, and are fire resistant.
For drainage or ventilation pipes, PVC or polyvinyl chloride pipes, it is your reference pipe. PVC has existed for some time as an alternative to traditional galvanized steel pipes. It became popular because it is lightweight and easy to work with and install. It's that easy; in fact, you only need a hacksaw and a miter box to cut.
Another advantage: PVC sticks together with solvents. Polyvinyl chloride, better known as PVC, has become a popular choice for plumbing pipes in recent years. This material is a thermoplastic polymer. In other words, it's made of a combination of plastic and vinyl.
PVC tubes are rigid and are usually white, cream or gray in color. They are most often used for high-pressure water, such as in a house's main water supply line. PVC pipes work in a variety of applications, including for transporting drinking water and for draining. Plumbing pipes that carry water to the kitchen faucet or drain waste to the sewer system have evolved over time.
Galvanized iron or steel pipes, which were a staple of domestic plumbing in the early 20th century, gave way to more advanced plumbing solutions, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes. PVC is a plumbing pipe known for its versatility, lightness and resistance to blockage. PVC pipes are generally used as part of the drain line of the sink, toilet or shower, although they are sometimes used as the main water supply pipe in the house. Although cast iron and galvanized pipes are rarely installed in newly built homes, you may have these pipes if you have an old house that was built in the early 20th century.
Cast iron pipes are still used today for parts of water distribution systems. How often you need to replace pipes is based on the pipe material used. Brass, cast iron and galvanized steel have a lifespan of up to 100 years, copper can last more than 50 years, and PEX and PVC typically last around 50 years. PVC pipes meet the U.S.
National Standards Institute standards for drinking water, but there are concerns that the pipes will release chemicals into the water. One of these chemicals is polyvinyl chloride, which could cause respiratory and reproductive problems. Nowadays, there are many types of plumbing pipes available, some old classics and some made with newer materials. Later, O'Brian identifies the typical uses of each type of pipe and explains why certain pipes are better suited than others for specific plumbing projects.
Cast iron pipes are heavier than any other pipe and are normally used for water distribution systems or underground installations as the main pipe in drainage or sewer systems. ABS pipes have a one-step process for connecting pipes; they can be instantly joined together with a special cement block and a primer is not needed, as is the case with PVC pipes. Smaller PVC pipes, up to three inches, are often used for sink drains and pipe ventilation grilles to prevent blockages of. After World War II, galvanized screw pipes gained popularity as the preferred material for plumbing pipes inside the home and, a few decades later, in the 1970s, copper became more popular.
Both pipes are prone to rust and corrode over time and have been replaced with copper or plastic pipes in residential plumbing repairs. There are advantages and disadvantages to consider with each of these materials when selecting what type of pipes to use in your home's plumbing system. . .
