A home plumbing system can utilize different types of piping materials depending on the application, preferences, and budget. There are pipes for freshwater supply, irrigation, waste drainage, and gas pipes for your appliances. Choosing the right piping material will ensure that you have a properly installed and durable plumbing system. Since your plumbing system is an essential component of your home, you want to make sure you have the right piping materials in place. Here are some plumbing materials you can use for your next home.
Cast Iron for Waste Lines
Cast iron is a heavy metal pipe with a large diameter. It features a dull black appearance with a rough, mottled surface. It’s hard to cut, meaning that you need to have special cutting tools to cut it. Repairs of cast iron are mostly done using PVC piping. If you did the research, you have probably found that new construction rarely uses cast iron, in most cases; they use plastic PVC or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene pipes. A Blacktown Plumber HD Pro working on new construction is also more likely to use plastic PVC pipes for waste lines on new builds.
PVC Pipes
Polyvinyl chloride pipes are considered the standard for in-home plumbing installations. These pipes are used as waste lines. They are strong and resistant to chemicals. The rigid pipe is also heat resistant but easy to cut and fit. Most plumbers prefer PVC piping because it’s easier to work with. These pipes are used to repair parts of broken cast-iron pipes and other drain lines. It’s easy to cut PVC pipe with a tubing cutter or hacksaw. You may also find other plastic pipes used in home plumbing systems, for example, the black plastic pipe or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Contractors often prefer PVC over acrylonitrile butadiene styrene because the latter tends to degrade when you expose it to sunlight.
Copper – Rigid and Flexible
Copper pipes come in different types – rigid and flexible. The pipes are dull, copper-colored, and they come in various wall thicknesses. Type M is often used to supply water. These pipes are resistant to corrosion and are very reliable. The material is easy to cut, making it a preferred choice for plumbers. Over time, copper pipes can develop pinholes, thus losing their structural integrity. They can also rupture due to frozen water inside them.
CPVC Pipes
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipes are made of dull white or cream-colored plastic material. They are inexpensive compared to copper and are designed to withstand increased pressure and temperature. You will find these pipes being used for cold and hot water supply. CPVC pipes are easily cut using a hacksaw or tubing cutter. They are joined together using solvent glue and plastic fittings or grip fittings if you plan to disassemble them in the future.
Black Iron
Black iron pipes have a diameter of one inch or less and appear dull and rigid. They are almost like galvanized iron pipes but are dark and designed for gas applications. These pipes are used to supply propane or natural gas in homes. They are used to feed gas supply to water heaters, boilers, furnaces, and other heating appliances.
These are some of the plumbing pipes you can select for your next home remodeling or construction project. Your plumber should be able to advise you on the best choice of pipes to use in your home.