Friday, September 4, 2020

5 Types of Pipe You Can Find in Your Home


From those ancient clay pipes to the plethora of different pipes used today, plumbing technology enabled us to have a neat sewer line in a span of a few centuries. 

And as we celebrate this invention every time we flush the toilet, have you ever wondered what the sewer line looks like. 

There is a whole other world hidden in your house, and if you stripped away all the walls and flooring, you would find a network of pipes of different colors, diameters, and sizes. And every single pipe in this ‘’vascular-lookalike-system’’ has its place and usage to go with the building code. 

Hiring a plumber to replace and repair your plumbing fixtures can prove to be less confusing than attempting a DIY project and standing in front of dozens of different pipes in confusion. This is why we will show you some basic types of pipes and what they are used for:

PEX Pipes

Short for Polyethylene cross-linked pipe, PEX is an excellent type to use for water supply lines, and there are several good reasons. This material won’t leak traces of rust one day, it is flexible and, therefore, easy to work with, and it comes in three colors: blue for cold water, red for hot water, and white for either. 

Usually, one water line can supply many different fixtures in your home, but a single PEX pipe can be attached directly to one faucet. The best thing about this pipe is that each tube has its own shut-off valve, which makes any necessary repairs easier as you don’t have to turn off multiple other fixtures, just that one. 

PVC PIPES

Polyvinyl chloride or PVC pipe is most commonly used for sewage, drain, and waste systems, as well as venting systems. Anywhere you have a low-temperature water/waste and low-pressure, PVC will show to be of great use. It comes in many sizes, from four-inch made for main drain to less than three-inches, perfect for sink drains and plumbing vents.


ABS PIPE

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene sure is a mouthful, but ABS is also an excellent material for drain, waste, and vent systems. It works just like a PVC pipe, except it is a bit more durable. However, ABS pipe cannot be exposed to sunlight. You will recognize ABS pipe by its characteristic black color. Read more about Which is Stronger ABS or PVC

Copper Pipe

Copper pipe has been in use for a while now, and over the decades, its popularity hasn’t decreased. It is still a favorite pipe type for water supply as metal doesn’t affect the water in any way. So anywhere you need a supply of clean water, a copper pipe would be the right choice. 
On the downside, the installation of the copper pipe is a bit complicated. You need a propane torch, and you need to be adapt in using it and get the temperature just right to seal those pipe joints. This is why the installation of copper pipes is better left to professional Licensed plumbers.

GALVANIZED PIPES

While galvanized pipe where a tremendous lead-free alternative back in the days, they are no longer used in modern plumbing and pipe systems. The reason for this is because they tend to rust, and if you use this type of pipes for your water pipe, it compromises the quality of the water. Nonetheless, since they were widely used, you can still find galvanized pipes in older homes and properties. For those who do have them, we suggest replacing them with copper or PEX pipes. 


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