Main Plumbing Pipes
The most common types of plumbing pipes are copper, galvanized steel, PVC, CPVC and PEX. Copper is the safest material for transporting water due to bacteria resistance. Copper is recyclable, but rust can build up over time in small diameter pipes. Galvanized steel piping used to be the most common type of residential plumbing, but it is now considered a “green” product only when non-potable water is being transported. Main plumbing pipes can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and PVC.
Metal pipes are the most durable and longest-lasting option, but they can be expensive. Plastic and PVC pipes are lighter than metal pipes and easier to transport, but they may not last as long as metal pipes.
CPVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a popular choice for plumbing pipe because it is lightweight, easy to use, and affordable. CPVC is a plastic material that does not rust or corrode. CPVC is a good material for main water supply lines because it can handle high water pressure. CPVC is easy to move and work with, and is also quite lightweight.
Cost of CPVC compared to PVC is higher, but PEX pipes are more expensive than PVC when environmental regulations are considered
Additional Plumbing Pipes
Stainless steel pipes are strong and corrosion-resistant. Cast iron is extremely strong, durable and heavy. Polybutylene pipes were a popular choice for plumbing from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. Polybutylene is a type of plastic resin that was seen as a futuristic material, perfect for replacing copper. High-Density Polybutylene Pipes are one of the most popular choices for underground service lines, though they work in a variety of plumbing applications.
HDPE pipes are flexible, so they require minimal joints. Where they do require joints, heat fusion is used, making these pipes mostly leak-proof.
Black Iron Pipes are only used for conveying natural gas or propane and fire sprinkler systems.
Types of Water Supply Pipes
There are three main types of water supply pipes: chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC), and PVC. Copper plumbing pipes are the most common type of pipe used in home plumbing systems. They can be old or new, depending on the age of the home and local building codes. Cross-linked polyethylene is a popular type of pipe used in modern day home plumbing systems because it is resistant to corrosion and can last for many years without needing replacement.
Depending on the age of your home, you may also use wastewater removal pipes to remove sewage from your house. There are many types of water supply pipes, each with its own benefits. One-pipe systems are the simplest type of water piping system and are generally used in rural areas or for older homes without newer plumbing systems. One-pipe partially ventilated systems use two traps to help keep sewage gasses from infiltrating the home’s plumbing system and making their way into the house. Two-pipe systems have one main pipe that feeds water to several taps or faucets, while a second pipe carries waste away from the home.
A single-stack system has one large pipe that carries both fresh and waste water to a municipal sewer line.
5. Cast Iron and Galvanized Piping
Cast iron and galvanized piping are rarely installed in new construction homes, but they may be found in older homes. Cast iron is strong and durable, reducing the sound of water moving through it, and prone to rust and corrosion over time. Both pipes are swapped for copper or plastic in residential plumbing repairs due to their susceptibility to corrosion. Cast iron pipe can last 100 years under normal conditions and can be made in several thicknesses for different pressures up to 350 psi.
Flanged couplings must fit perfectly and seal with a gasket when used together; cast iron pipes are also cheap and economical
How to Size Water Supply Pipes
Pipes are measured in inches. If you are using a pipe that is 1 inch in diameter, you need to cut the pipe to 3 inches in length. If you are using a pipe that is 2 inches in diameter, you need to cut the pipe to 6 inches in length. If you are planning a major remodel or addition, calculate the fixture unit ratings for all your fixtures and appliances and approximate the length of the distribution pipes.
Remember that water pressure decreases by a half-pound per square inch for every foot pipes extend above your water supply.
