For the plumbing system to be accurate, you need to use the best tools and appliances. The pipes should be made of high-quality materials and metals that do not cause problems. It would be best to keep updated about the new advanced water pipes to install.
Water has a lot of minerals, and some of them can cause corrosion on the pipes. The corrosion will then lead to the blocking of those pipes. It’s advisable to involve your plumber when you want to make the water system of your building.
It would be best to involve the plumber when you are getting something to install in your house, and you do not want it to alter the connections. Being in constant communication with your plumber will save you from spending a lot of money to fix anything in the house.
Here are some of the things you need to know about water pipes concerning the materials and metals.
1. Polyvinyl Chloride
It’s commonly known as PVC. It is a type of plastic that is hard enough to supply water in drainage pipes, spas, and pools. They are also recommended for irrigation pipes. These pipes are differentiated according to the thickness which is known as schedules. Most of the time, plumbers will recommend the 40 and 80 schedules for water supply. Its best you visit a good company to guide you on the best schedules to buy, click here.
The thickness of the pipe walls depends on the PVC pipe’s schedule. It also depends on the purpose of the pipe. If it’s being used to supply high-pressure water, the schedule 80 is thick enough to withstand the pressure.
However, if the water is supplied t rooms of the same floor and does not require high pressure,and then the PVC schedule 40 is suitable for the job. If you put the schedule 40 to supply high-pressure water, it can burst or crack and thus cause a leak.
On the other hand, schedule 80 cannot transport low-pressure water as it will move slowly due to the thickness of the wall. Most people do not know how to choose these pipes. Therefore, you need to go with your plumber to help you choose the preferable schedule for your house.
2. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
It is also known as ABS as a shorter name for Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. It is a black plastic pipe that has similar characteristics to PVC. However, ABS can stand degradation compared to PVC. Additionally, it’s more flexible to withstand the pressures from the water running through it.
Initially, people considered having PVC in plumbing compared to other materials because the other materials were damaged due to harsh weather conditions, especially extreme sunlight. However, the ABS pipe was different from the others. It is strong and thus cannot be damaged by the sun easily.
Additionally, plumbers prefer using it because it’s simple to install and suitable for underground pipes. It is challenging for people to choose between PVC and ABS.
3. Cross-Linked Polyethylene
Its commonly known as PEX as a shorter name for Cross-Linked Polyethylene. This type of material is frequently preferred for pipes that transfer warm and cold water. In most cases, it’s used for plumbing in bathrooms with water heaters.
Additionally, it’s preferred for being flexible, so it can be used when curving to fit a specific area. It can also be used in the regions with obstructions, such as a construction site. The other advantage is that it’s more durable and is not subject to experiencing corrosion.
The material is good because it can contract and expand depending on the surrounding conditions. Thus, it can withstand freeze conditions, unlike other pipes that crack, especially after winter. It can also be connected directly to a water heater since it can withstand high temperatures.
It can also allow fittings and changes compared to other plumbing materials. When creating the plumbing system of the building, it’s essential to use fewer pipes. It helps in ensuring the pressure in the pipes is maintained.
4. Copper Pipe
In place of plastic, you can also use copper metal for your pipes. Metal pipes are more preferred since it’s cheaper compared to plastic pipes. It’s also easy to install and more durable for water transportation.
Copper pipe is recommendable for being heat resistant. So it can be used hot and cold water supply. It is also good for resisting corrosion and thus it gets damaged easily compared to other metals such as iron. Copper is long-lasting and can stay up to 50 years before it needs to be replaced.
5. Galvanized Steel
Galvanized steel has been coated with zinc, and thus, it does not get corroded easily. However, it is not long-lasting like copper. So it will get to a point where it will start rusting, especially when the zinc is no longer coating it.
Also, it gets weak overtime and can crack, thus causing leaks. It’s cheaper than copper but needs regular checking. It’s because eventually, people disable the entire plumbing system because of the corrosion. It’s only used to make items that will not be used for long.
6. Cast Iron
Few People use cast iron when building and making the plumbing system. Initially, they were used for drain lines, but nowadays, people don’t consider them. They are preferable because of their durability and resistance to heat.
It’s also good in areas where they need a silent pipe. It’s because cast iron reduces sound from water flowing in high pressure. However, they are not considered for long-termbuilding. It’s because they can rust after a few years.
In Conclusion
There are so many materials used for plumbing. However, not every material is suitable for the water supply. It can be hard to choose between them, especially when comparing PVC and ABS pipes.
