Plumbing is a vital system that helps people carry water and sewage to and from their homes. But a faulty plumbing system can cause serious damage and lead to higher insurance costs.
Homeowners must know what types of pipes they have in their homes to make sure they are in good condition. There are five types of plumbing pipe that are commonly found in both new and old homes: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), copper, galvanized steel, PEX, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
Polyvinyl chloride
PVC is one of the most commonly used types of plastic. It is used to make pipes, siding, and linoleum for floors.
Unlike other forms of plastic, PVC is extremely rigid and durable in its natural state. However, it can also become more flexible and supple when it is mixed with additives like plasticizers.
Because of this, it can be used in a wide variety of plumbing applications. It is also highly resistant to chemicals and corrosion.
It is an environmentally friendly product that can be recycled multiple times. It is also a cost-effective option for piping, and it is available in a range of colors and sizes.
Regardless of its many uses, polyvinyl chloride can be hazardous to human health when used improperly. Chlorine is a toxic chemical that can be released into the air, water, and food chain when it is burned. These chemicals can lead to a number of serious health problems, including infertility, immune system damage, hormone disruption, and cancer.
Galvanized steel
Galvanized steel is one of the most common types of pipes used in plumbing. It’s made by dipping raw steel into molten zinc to provide a corrosion-resistant coating.
The coating process prevents rust from developing on the inside of the pipe, but it won’t last forever. After decades of use, these pipes can start to rust and corrode, which can be dangerous for homeowners.
However, this material is still in use across the United States and Canada. If you have an older home, or if your house is located in an area that has harsh winters, it may be time to consider replacing galvanized pipes with PVC or PEX.
To determine if your pipes are galvanized, look at the water line that enters your house. If the surface of the pipe is a copper penny color, it’s likely galvanized steel.
Copper
Copper is one of the most common materials for water service lines. It’s corrosion-
resistant, durable, flexible and low maintenance, among other benefits.
It’s also nontoxic, so it won’t leach dangerous chemicals into your water. That makes it a safe choice for homeowners, builders and plumbers alike. A plumber from Mount Barker would tell you that plumbing involves all water draining devices included, and keeping your plumbing clean such as water lines to a dishwasher is important.
In fact, copper is an ancient material that has been used to deliver safe drinking water for thousands of years. It’s a proven material that will stand the test of time and remain an essential part of society’s infrastructure well into the future.
Copper is produced from sulfide and oxide ore deposits and can be extracted by a variety of methods. It is often sold as concentrate, a powder that is delivered to smelters. Selling terms vary, but in general a miner receives about 96 percent of the value of the copper in the concentrate less any treatment or refining charges.
PEX
PEX is a type of plastic tubing that has become a popular option in residential plumbing. It is a newer alternative to copper, but offers several benefits over copper, including affordability, sustainability, and acid-resistance.
It can be connected to existing copper and galvanized steel water supply lines with the use of fittings – small pieces that link the two types of piping together. It also has a higher flexibility than metal piping, avoiding the need for multiple connections and increasing the durability of your piping system.
There are several ways to connect PEX piping, but the easiest is by using push-fit connections. These are similar to paper tube traps that “grab” the end of the pipe when inserted over it (see below).
Another method is thermal expansion, which requires a special heat gun to expand the end of the PEX tube. Once the tube cools, it contracts and fits tightly over the fitting. This is a time-saving method for many plumbers.
Water and sewer lines make up the bulk of your plumbing system and having energy efficient plumbing as well as energy efficient appliances will keep your plumbing running for a long time.
