Plumbers use different types of plumbing pipes in modern-day houses. These plumbing pipes help carry sewage and drinking water to and fro from fixtures. However, the market today is abuzz with a wide variety of plumbing fittings and pipes, which turns out to be confusing for many consumers.
Selecting the suitable pipe for your home can get tricky considering the number of options labelled in the maker. You need plumbing pipes for your drainage, water supply, and hot and cold water systems. Earlier, people only had two options: galvanised steel or cast iron pipes. Whereas this helped them choose faster, it also exposed them to incurring regular maintenance costs. Today, you can choose from different pipes like PVC, PEX, PPR, and HDPE pipes, all of which offer better corrosion-resistant properties than old galvanised metal pipes. Let us dig into the list containing the best options of plumbing pipes for your home-
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PVC Pipes
Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC pipes are the most commonly used in residential, commercial, and industrial spaces. They are available in the colour white and are incredibly lightweight. In addition, their corrosion and abrasion-resistant properties have made them the top choice of most plumbers. Moreover, users do not have high installation costs or maintenance costs for PVC pipes.
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PEX Pipes
Cross-linked polyethylene or PEX is most suitable for water supply lines. It offers better flexibility than traditional metal pipes and offers increased durability. Many customers have shifted from using galvanised cast iron pipes to PEX pipes in their new houses and re-modelling projects. Moreover, the most significant advantage of PEX pipes is that users can replace them easier without needing to call a professional plumber. PEX pipes can be easily fixed across walls, ceilings, basements and other compact spaces. PEX pipes are colour coded- red for hot water and blue for cold water. Besides, they are cost-efficient and way less expensive than other popular pipes.
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Copper Pipes
Copper pipes are the most suited for water supply and drain and vent lines. They offer a reliable connection and are highly durable. Customers can choose from two options- soft or hard copper pipes pending on the connection they want to use them for. Copper pipes can last for about 70 years. Three types of copper pipes are used in residential construction- Type K, Type L, and Type M. Many users still prefer using copper pipes because they come with fewer health risks than plastic and iron pipes.
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ABS Pipes
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene or ABS pipe is a plastic pipe that is primarily available in the colour black. ABS pipes work as a drain, sewer, and vent pipes. Moreover, ABS pipes can withstand low temperatures and are widely used as underground pipes in most commercial buildings. ABS pipe contains BPA, which makes it more durable than PVC pipe. The installation process of ABS pipes is by far the easiest out of all plumbing pipes. They only need a special cement for a safe connection.
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Galvanised pipes
Steel pipes coated with a protective zinc coating are called Galvanised pipes. These pipes were trendy way back in the 1960s when people had fewer better options. These pipes were invented as an alternative to lead pipes. Many consumers still prefer using galvanised pipes because of their sturdiness and efficiency. They can be used for houses’ water supply lines, drainage, and vent lines. Galvanised steel is corrosion-resistant and frigid, offering optimum protection against high pressure. However, galvanised steel pipes are less commonly installed in new construction models. After years of studies, experts have realised that galvanised pipes corrode and harm water quality after a few years of use.
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Cast Iron Pipes
Like galvanised steel pipes, cast iron mainly was used in the olden days. However, today most people use it for drainage systems owing to its durability and strength. Cast iron is heat and fire-resistant. However, the most significant disadvantage of cast iron pipes is that they start to rust over time. For this reason, most people have started replacing cast iron pipes with ABS pipes in their old homes.
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HDPE Pipes
HDPE pipes are used in slurry systems, drainage, agricultural lines, and fire supply lines. HDPE pipes are resistant to corrosion and are cost-effective. In addition, they have leak-free joints, making them the top choice of most homeowners.
Simply knowing about the different plumbing pipes is not the only task you have to do before selecting the right kind for your home. First, you need to be well aware of the layout of your house and the areas for which you will need plumbing pipes. For instance, if the site is well-spaced, you will need a less flexible pipe, but if the room is tightly spaced, you will need a more flexible pipe. In this case, your first choice should be an ABS pipe. After that, you can seek help from your constructor or plumber to make an informed choice.
