Since the invention of plumbing, the material used for pipes has been of critical importance. Plumbing technology has changed dramatically since the days of lead and clay pipes. Now, there are many types of plumbing pipes available to suit a wide variety of plumbing systems and budgets.
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Each water pipe material has its pros and cons. The integrity of your home's plumbing plays an important role in your quality of life, so you need to make a well-informed decision when selecting your piping material.
What are plumbing pipes made of? The answers to this question are almost endless. With so many options to choose from, it can be tough to figure out which material you should choose for your home.
We will break down the different types of water supply pipes to help you decide which is the best piping for plumbing in your home.
Copper is a traditional material for plumbing pipes and remains a popular option today. There are two main types of copper pipes that can be used together to outfit a whole plumbing system:
Copper piping comes in different sizes, labeled by the diameter in millimeters, from one outside edge to another. The most popular sizes are 15 mm and 22 mm. You can also get 18 mm piping and many sizes above 22 mm, all the way up to 108 mm.
The other way of measuring rigid copper piping has to do with its thickness. There are three grades of thickness to choose from for use in plumbing:
Copper pipes offer significant benefits that have helped them stand the test of time. These benefits include:
With so many strengths, you may wonder why copper is not used for plumbing in every case. The disadvantages of copper include:
Galvanized piping used to be the material of choice for residential plumbing and it is still what many people picture when they think of plumbing pipes. The material's main benefits include:
Although these pipes are undoubtedly strong, they are rarely used in new installations. You might have them if your plumbing was installed in the s or before ' if this is the case, you should consider replacing them right away. Here are some of the biggest reasons why:
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is growing in popularity among homeowners. PVC is a thermoplastic polymer, a combination of vinyl and plastic that softens at high temperatures. At normal temperatures, PVC pipes are rigid.
Usually, they are either cream, white, or gray, but you can also find them in almost any color you like. PVC is most often used for transporting highly pressurized water, like what you would find in your home's main water supply line. However, PVC is versatile and useful for a variety of applications, such as draining and potable water transport.
Depending on the application, you can choose a particular thickness and configuration designed to best support that application. If the piping is meant to transport drinking water, look for an "NSF-PW" or "NSF-61" label, which means the material meets the standards laid out by NSF/ANSI 61.
Some of the benefits of PVC pipes include:
While PVC has some marked advantages, it has a couple of disadvantages, too. These include:
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) is closely related to PVC. Though both materials contain the same basic elements, the key difference is that CPVC is chlorinated. This chemical difference makes CPVC able to withstand temperature differences in a way that PVC cannot. For this reason, some building codes call for CPVC in place of PVC for transporting hot water.
While PVC typically only uses a sizing system called nominal pipe size (NPS), CPVC uses both NPS and copper tubing size (CTS). As the name suggests, this sizing system is similar to the copper piping size graduations.
CPVC pipes share many of the advantages of PVC, plus one more:
While CPVC is not always the best choice for some applications, it has relatively few disadvantages. Cons include:
Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) is another plastic material used for piping. Plastic pipes have become a popular choice for new homes. This particular plastic material is relatively new on the plumbing scene and can be used for a variety of plumbing applications. The major difference between PVC and PEX is that PEX pipes are flexible. This means they can be used in long, continuous runs.
In addition to being flexible, PEX is easy to cut and join together. The PEX system is designed to fit together through the combination of barbed fittings and crimping rings or cinch clamps. This method of joining pipes is in lieu of any soldering or gluing. The installation process is quick and easy and the material is made to last. PEX piping can come coiled up in a flexible roll, wrapped in aluminum to keep its shape or in hard lengths.
This material comes with some major advantages for plumbers and homeowners that contribute to its rising popularity. These advantages include:
While PEX has many advantages, there are some drawbacks:
Stainless steel piping is actually more expensive than copper piping. However, its high price point correlates to a high level of quality. Stainless steel pipes are strong and corrosion-resistant. Because of their ability to resist corrosion, stainless steel pipes are the preferable choice in areas that are susceptible to it, such as coastal communities.
Stainless steel piping is available in both flexible and rigid versions and it comes in a variety of sizes. Pipes are fitted together using couplings.
Cast iron used to be a common piping material for drainage systems, particularly in the first half of the twentieth century, and it can still be found in many homes today. Cast iron is extremely strong, durable, and heavy. Cast iron also reduces sound and is heat-resistant.
Despite the advantages of strength and durability, cast iron is susceptible to rust over time. In homes that have cast iron piping, if a pipe rusts all the way through, you can replace it with plastic piping like PVC. Cast iron pipes come in various sizes, with the smallest usually being 4 inches.
Polybutylene (PB) pipes were a popular choice for plumbing from the late s to the mid-s. In fact, as many as 10 million homes built during that timeframe included polybutylene piping of some kind. Polybutylene is a type of plastic resin that was seen as a futuristic material, perfect for replacing copper.
These grey plastic pipes were, and are, inexpensive and easy to work with. However, they fell out of favor because it was determined that PB pipes were prone to leakage at the joints.
High-density polybutylene pipes (HDPE) are one of the most popular choices for underground service lines, though they work in a variety of plumbing applications. This is due to HDPE's durability and ability to resist corrosion.
Some codes call for buried plastic lines to be made from HDPE instead of PVC. HDPE pipes are flexible, so they require minimal joints. Where they do require joints, heat fusion is used, making these pipes mostly leak-proof.
While black iron is not intended for plumbing applications, it is worth mentioning. Black iron pipes were once a popular piping material for water supply, but today, they are only used for conveying natural gas or propane. Black iron is also a popular choice for fire sprinkler systems since it is especially effective at resisting extreme heat.
Whether you need to install a whole new plumbing system in your home or only need a few repairs, you can trust Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Greater Syracuse to provide the best service possible. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we offer comprehensive plumbing services, including emergencies. Call us for fast, courteous, and efficient service, no matter the issue.
Throughout the many years that we have provided the Syracuse community with piping and plumbing services, we have demonstrated a strong commitment to excellent customer service. Contact us today for all your piping and plumbing needs!
Not local to the Greater Syracuse area? Find a Mr. Rooter Plumbing expert near you.
Reliable and efficient plumbing systems are the backbone of any functional home or building. Selecting the appropriate pipe material is a critical decision that impacts a plumbing system's longevity, performance, and overall cost. This article offers a detailed comparison of the most commonly used plumbing pipes, highlighting their essential characteristics. It guides you in selecting the appropriate pipe for your system and identifies indicators signaling the need for pipe replacement.
Copper Pipes
Copper pipe is a traditional material that has been used in plumbing for many years. It is known for its reliability and durability, offering a long lifespan under normal conditions. A copper pipe is non-permeable and resistant to bacteria, making it ideal for transporting potable water compared with other pipes. They are also recyclable, which contributes to their appeal in sustainable building practices. They come in various sizes, typically ranging from 1/4 inch to 12 inches in diameter, allowing for use in both high-volume commercial applications and precise residential installations.
Commonly Used: In hot and cold water lines, as well as in HVAC systems for refrigerant lines due to its ability to withstand high pressures and temperatures.
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PEX Pipes
PEX stands for Cross-linked Polyethylene, a durable, flexible plumbing pipe that has gained popularity in modern plumbing. Its flexibility allows it to bend around corners and obstacles, reducing the need for fittings and decreasing the risk of leaks. PEX pipe is also resistant to scale and chlorine, which can damage other types of pipes over time. Sizes range from 1/4 inch to 4 inches in diameter, making PEX pipe adaptable for detailed residential plumbing tubing as well as larger commercial systems.
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Commonly Used: Extensively for indoor water supply lines, radiant floor heating, and hot and cold plumbing systems due to their flexibility and durability.
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PVC Pipes
PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride, is a widely used plastic pipe that's lightweight, resistant to chemicals, and easy to work with. It's made from a combination of plastic and vinyl, making it rigid and robust for various plumbing tubing applications. PVC pipes are white or cream-colored and are often used in residential and commercial settings due to their durability and resistance to corrosion. PVC pipe for plumbing is available in a broad size range, from 1/2 inch to 4 inches in diameter, suitable for various applications from residential to industrial.
Commonly Used: Primarily used for transporting drinking water, sewage, and serving as main water supply lines in both residential and commercial settings.
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CPVC Pipes
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) pipes are a variant of PVC, made more resilient and temperature-resistant through the chlorination process. This process enhances the pipe's ability to withstand higher temperatures, making CPVC pipes an excellent choice for hot water delivery. CPVC maintains many of the beneficial properties of PVC, such as resistance to corrosion and chemical damage, but with added durability against heat.
The material is also less reactive to chemicals, reducing the risk of leaching and making it safer for transporting potable water. Typically available in sizes from 1/2 inch to 2 inches in diameter, CPVC caters to a range of plumbing needs, from small repairs to whole-house plumbing.
Commonly Used: For hot and cold water pipes for house and businesses due to its ability to handle varying temperatures without degrading.
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Braided Pipes
Braided pipes are not a type of pipe material but rather a specific form of pipe construction. They typically consist of an inner rubber hose encased in a braided metal sheath. The braided design provides both flexibility and strength, making these pipes resistant to pressure and kinking. The metal braiding, often made from stainless steel, protects the inner hose from damage and prevents expansion due to water pressure, ensuring the pipe maintains its shape and flow capacity. They are commonly available in lengths ranging from a few inches to several feet, accommodating the specific needs of appliances and fixtures.
Commonly Used: For connecting appliances like water heaters, sinks, and toilets, where flexibility and resistance to pressure are crucial.
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ABS Pipes
ABS plastic, or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, is a thermoplastic pipe that is similar in composition to PVC but is more impact-resistant and can withstand lower temperatures. It is black and is commonly used for drain, waste, and vent lines because of its robustness and durability. ABS pipes are commonly available in sizes from 1 1/2 inches to 4 inches in diameter, making them suitable for various domestic and commercial applications.
Commonly Used: Mainly used in drain, waste, and vent systems, as well as sewer lines, because of their strength and durability.
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Cast Iron Pipes
Cast iron pipes, known for their durability and strength, have been used in plumbing systems for centuries. These plumbing pipes are manufactured by pouring molten iron into molds, creating a robust and heavy product. The inherent strength of cast iron makes these pipes ideal for high-pressure applications and underground installations. They are especially favored for their sound-dampening qualities, reducing the noise of flowing water and other materials, which is a significant advantage in multi-story buildings and industrial settings.
Despite their weight and the labor-intensive installation and replacement process, cast iron pipes remain a preferred choice for sewer lines and large-scale drainage systems due to their longevity and resilience to wear and degradation. Cast Iron Pipes are typically found in larger diameters, from 2 inches up to 15 inches or more, making them ideal for main sewage drains and large-scale water distribution.
Commonly Used: Primarily in underground water systems, main sewage lines, and storm drainage systems due to their high strength and ability to dampen noise.
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When selecting a plumbing pipe, several factors need to be considered to ensure that the chosen type meets the specific requirements of the application. Here's why each factor is important:
Recognizing the signs of a failing plumbing pipe is crucial for maintaining the integrity of your plumbing system and preventing potential damage. Here are common indicators that you may need pipe replacement:
The most obvious sign of a problem, leaks suggest cracks, holes, or loose connections in the pipes. Even small leaks can lead to significant water damage over time and indicate that the integrity of the pipe has been compromised. Cracks, holes, or loose connections often result from pipe corrosion, physical damage, or wear and tear over time. Not winterizing your plumbing system can also cause pipes to burst.
If you notice brownish, reddish, or yellowish water, it could point to rust or corrosion inside the pipes, especially in older metal pipes like iron or copper. This can lead to contamination and is a sign that the pipes are deteriorating.
A sudden or gradual decrease in water pressure can indicate a blockage or leak in your plumbing pipes. It could be caused by blockages from mineral deposits, sediment build-up, corrosion narrowing the pipe's interior, or a significant breach in the line. Leaks in plumbing pipes can also lead to reduced pressure.
Banging, whistling, or gurgling sounds from the pipes can be due to air trapped in the pipes, high water pressure, or the onset of blockages, which disrupt normal water flow and cause vibrations or noises. These noises might suggest that the pipes are not functioning correctly.
Frequent clogs in your sinks, toilets, or bathtubs can indicate that there is a deeper problem within your plumbing system. This may be due to obstructions deep within the plumbing pipe system, narrowed pipes from mineral or grease buildup, or problems with the main sewer line.
When encountering these signs, it's crucial to consult a licensed plumber for a thorough diagnosis and appropriate repairs. Plumbing system issues can be complex, and a professional can determine whether pipe replacement or repair is necessary. For information on plumbing codes and standards in your area, consult your local building department or refer to resources from the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO).
The most common size for residential plumbing pipes is 1/2 inch for individual fixtures and 3/4 to 1 inch for main supply lines. The size can vary based on the overall demand, layout of the home, and local building codes.
PEX piping is often considered the best water pipes for house due to its flexibility, ease of installation, and resistance to corrosion and scale. It is suitable for both hot and cold water lines and has a long lifespan.
For main water lines, durable materials like copper or PVC are commonly used. Copper pipe is preferred for its longevity and reliability, while PVC pipe is favored for its cost-effectiveness and resistance to corrosion.
The choice between PVC and steel pipe depends on the application. PVC piping is better for water distribution in residential settings due to its corrosion resistance and ease of installation. Steel pipes, often galvanized, are better suited for industrial applications or where high pressure and temperature resistance are needed.
Cast iron and copper pipes are known for their longevity, often lasting 50 years or more with proper maintenance. PEX piping also has a long lifespan but hasn't been used as long as copper or cast iron, so its long-term durability is still being evaluated.
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