Plumbing has come along since it was first introduced many decades ago. Today, homeowners have access to a wide range of plumbing pipes. There are various materials used in plumbing pipes that supply cold and hot water to every fixture in a house. There are currently five types of plumbing pipes found in most homes these days in older and new construction homes – ABS, copper, galvanized, PEX, and PVC pipes.
However, not every type of plumbing pipe is suitable for every home or is best to be up to code. It’s essential to know your plumbing pipes, no matter if you need to repair your home’s pipes or plan on a new home build. Overall, some plumbing pipes options are more fitting to perform the purpose of moving water through a house. To help you know and understand which plumbing pipe option is best for your home project, here is a breakdown of the types of plumbing pipes available. For more questions about the types of plumbing pipes you should be using feel free to contact our team today!
ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and if you have ever seen a black pipe in a sink, tub, or toilet drain, it’s probably made from ABS material. ABS pipes are generally used for drain, waste, and vent lines. This plumbing pipe looks very similar to PVC pipe, except that ABS is a softer material and is black.
Copper pipes are a durable and long-lasting selection for both homes and businesses. This type of plumbing pipe is frequently used to repair or assemble gas line plumbing systems. It is an excellent plumbing pipe choice that can withstand cold and hot water temperatures and handles water pressure up to 1000 psi. Copper plumbing pipes can be easily cut with a special copper tube cutter or a hacksaw. The connection process is slightly tricky and will require a skilled professional to solder copper pipes together. There are two types of copper piping, Rigid and flexible.
While galvanized plumbing pipes are no longer used in new home builds, this type of pipe was once used widely and can still found in many older homes. For many decades, galvanized steel plumbing pipes were used for water and gas supply, drainage, and any number of other functions. Over time, galvanized pipes have a tendency to rust. If your home has galvanized pipes, it would be wise to have your home repiped with a different plumbing pipe selection.
This pipe selection is one of the most common and recent piping material to come out in the plumbing market. PEX or Polyethylene is made from plastic and used for home and business water supply systems. PEX pipes are used only for water supply. It is strong enough to withstand water supply pressure and is very flexible. PEX flexibility is its main feature, making it easier to weave the pipe throughout crawlspaces, basements, ceilings, and walls. Additionally, the flexibility of PEX pipes makes them more straightforward to install than other plumbing pipes options. An excellent choice for plumbing professionals and homeowners know to be do-it-yourselfers.
PVC plumbing pipes are made from polyvinyl chloride and are often used in a home’s sewage system. This plumbing pipe received its popularity in the plumbing industry because it is easier and lighter to work with than the traditional galvanized plumbing pipes. PVC pipes can be installed moderately easily and need only a hacksaw and miter box to be cut. Additionally, PVC connection is easy as it glues together with solvents. This plumbing pipe option is used best in applications with both low temperature and pressure needs. PVC piping is ideal for plumbing like toilet drain lines. PVC is not suitable for carrying hot water or high pressurized water supply lines.
As you can tell, you have a lot of various options when it comes to choosing plumbing pipes. If you are unsure which piping to buy and have installed for your plumbing needs, reach out to us at Hansen Family Plumbing. We are the professional plumbing experts that will give you sound advice on which plumbing pipe would be ideal for your home or business. Call us today, and we will be happy to help.