Your plumbing system is an important aspect of home construction. It adds a structural and efficient element to your home that affect your living experience. Repeated plumbing issues could be a little stressful and costly for many. This is why going with the right type of pipe you need for your home is crucial when it comes to building.
Here are different pipes to take note of for your plumbing and construction needs:
PVC Pipe
Polyvinyl chloride pipes (PVC) are commonly used as part of a sink, toilet, or shower drain line. Its plastic tubing is ideal for this kind of usage because it protects the water from rust and corrosion better than other types of pipes. This capability also makes PVC pipe incredibly durable. Unless they are subject to some kind of damage, PVC pipes will last indefinitely.
PEX Pipe
PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, the pipe is one of the newest and most popular pipes to hit the plumbing market. The PEX pipe is used only to supply water. This is a type of pipe that is rigid enough to withstand the pressures of the water supply. However, it is flexible enough to weave throughout walls, ceilings, basements, and crawlspaces. To top that off, this pipe has made water-supply plumbing easier for do-it-yourselfers and professional plumbers.
Copper Pipe
Copper pipes are the most traditional and popularly used plumbing pipes since they are durable, long-lasting, and corrosion-resistant. They are also the best water supply pipe option since they do not carry certain health risks that PVC pipes have. Aside from that, they work well with both hot and cold water.
Copper plumbing pipes, however, have to be soldered together and may require some additional fittings. As such, you or your contractor have to be good at soldering if you want to use this type of material.
Cast Iron Pipe
Cast iron plumbing pipes are generally manufactured as bell and spigot types. Most cast iron plumbing pipes come with threaded joints but they are more expensive than the bell and spigot ones. Cast iron pipes are heavier than any other pipes and as such, are best used for underground water distribution systems. You will often see them as the main pipe on drainage or sewer systems.
Galvanized Iron Pipe
G.I pipes are made of mild steel sheets. Its length-wise joint is Welded Seam Type. The G.I pipe is used to supply gas, water, or any other liquid within the building. These types of pipes are prepared from 12 mm to 150 mm in diameter. They can be found 6 meters in length.
The thickness of the wall of its sheet is different based on its diameters. These pipes are light-weighted and cheap. Acidic and alkaline waters affect these pipes badly.
Steel Pipe
Steel pipes are used to carry gas, water, or certain other liquid from one place to another under pressure. These pipes are made from steel sheets. Small pipes have welded joints along the length, which is not visible.
Large pipes have a riveted joint or welded joint. These pipes are light in weight. They can be joined by a welded joint. They’re placed on Open Supports. Such pipes could be bent easily. Acidic water and alkaline water may rust these pipes. The repair of this kind of pipe is difficult. They may also be pressed by external pressure because of their less wall thickness.
Flexible Type Connection
Flexible connections, also called Flexi’s for short, are used for final connections to appliances. Like water heaters, toilets, sinks, etc. They are used on gas & domestic water and come in many lengths & sizes. BUT local codes must be followed. They are not permitted inside walls or floors.
The remarkable feature about this type of pipe is that it fits in tight, unusually shaped areas. On top of that, it also has high heat tolerance. However, it can be expensive in many suppliers and is known to be prone to breaking easily.
Key Takeaway
In every construction, a sufficient quantity of water ought to be available in the required locations to meet the various needs of occupants. Thus, water needs have to be properly computed before the construction of the structure. This is done with the help of the appropriate pipes and pipe system.
The transmission water is carried through pipes within the structure above or below the ground. At the same, we have to compute the proper drainage facilities to drain the wastewater through pipes. From PVC pipes to flexible type connections, there are various types to use for both plumbing and construction purposes.
By knowing the right pipe to use for your needs, you can prevent plumbing and structural issues at home in the long run.
