Types of Plumbing Pipes

If you’re unsure of the type of pipes being used inside of your home plumbing system, you are not alone. Many homeowners are unaware of this important information, making it difficult to troubleshoot problems with your plumbing system or replace them when or if something goes wrong. Learning the different types of plumbing pipes available is one of the easiest ways to identify the type of pipes inside of your home. Here we will take a look at some of the most commonly used pipes to help you better acquaint yourself with the available choices.

Types of mental plumbing pipes used today include:

Metal Pipes

There are a few different types of metal pipes used inside of plumbing systems today, including copper, cast iron, stainless steel, and galvanized steel. Copper is the most expensive of the options and isn’t oftentimes used within a plumbing system. Stainless steel is another of the options available that is rarely used. Cast iron isn’t the easiest to work with so it is also one of the metals rarely used. It is likely that your home uses galvanized steel pipes. These pipes have been used since the 1960s and provide resistance to corrosion and rust, with a 40-year life expectancy. They’re inexpensive, easy to maintain and install, and provide many additional benefits.

Plastic Pipes

PB pipes are beige or gray in color, but isn’t used as often as it was up until the 1990s. its biggest disadvantage is its ease of damage, resulting in leaks. PVC pipes are white or gray in color and often used for main water supply lines into a home. There are several PVC pipe sizes available. The CPVC pipe is another type of plastic pipe that is beige or yellow and works in the same manner as the PVC, only with added chlorination. This is the most commonly used pipe inside of homes today. Other plastic pipe types include PEX piping, ABS piping, and HDPE piping. You could check here for more pipe info.

Which Pipes Should you use in your Home?

Should the pipes inside of your home become damaged and need repaired or replaced, ensure that you use the same type of pipe as installed originally, or one that is as close to the same material as possible. Doing so eliminates much of the hard work for the plumber making the installation, thus decreases the cost for you.

It is a good idea to talk to your plumbing professional concerning the different types of pipes available for a home, including those listed above. Together you can decide which pipes are the best fit for your home and worry not that you’ve made the best selection.

Additionally, the following tips are good to keep in mind when adding new pipes to your home.

• Budget: The cost of pipes varies considerably based upon the type. Before you head out to buy, be sure that you have a budget in place.
•  Installation: Ensure that the cost of installation is factored into your pipe decision. While the cost of pipes varies considerably, so does the cost of installing them.