How to Pick the Right Plumbing Pipes for Your Home?

From ancient times, plumbing pipes made of lead and clay were crucial in supplying water to homes and public buildings. Throughout the early 20th century, materials like cast iron, terracotta, copper, and galvanised steel revolutionised plumbing in American residences, with lead piping being the primary choice until World War II. 

Post-war, the shift to galvanised and copper pipes emerged due to the health risks associated with lead. The 1970s saw the introduction of polybutylene, later restricted due to safety concerns. Today's house plumbing work landscape offers a diverse range of pipes, from traditional to modern materials, each with unique benefits and drawbacks. 

This article delves into these options, helping you make a well-informed choice for your home's plumbing system, a decision that profoundly affects your well-being.

All About Various Kinds Of Plumbing Pipes 

A lot has changed in plumbing throughout the years. The pipes that deliver hot and cold water to all of a home's fixtures and the drain and vent system are made from various materials these days. Choosing a pipe material can be daunting, regardless of whether you hire a professional plumber or do the work yourself. 

For water supply, drainage, sewer, and even the exterior of the building, what is the best pipe? The choice between galvanised steel and cast iron piping is no longer as simple as it once was. Pipe materials are described in detail so that you may make an informed decision about which is appropriate for your particular situation and intended use.

1. PVC Plumbing pipe

PVC, often known as polyvinyl chloride, plastic pipe is frequently used in both residential and commercial structures. PVC pipes are adaptable and may be utilised beneath as well as outside. PVC pipe may be used for drain and vent plumbing and to deliver water to buildings or fixtures.

PVC pipes are exceptionally lightweight, non-corrosive, and simple to handle and carry. Even yet, they are sturdy and have extensive lengths, reducing installation and shipping costs. 

However, they are vulnerable to physical harm and become brittle if exposed above ground or to UV radiation. PVC has issues with its expansion and contraction and softening and deforming when exposed to temperatures over 65 °C ( verified studies).

2. Plumbing pipes made of cast iron and galvanised steel

Although some older houses may still contain cast-iron piping, the cast-iron pipe is not often used in domestic plumbing. Sewer and drain lines, municipal pipes, and water distribution often employ cast-iron tubes.

Despite their prevalence in early 20th-century homes, cast iron and galvanised steel pipes are rarely used in new residential or commercial construction. However, plumbing pipes made of cast iron are still utilised in some water supply systems today because of their outstanding longevity.

Cast iron was a common material for sewer pipes and certain other drainage channels. They are popular because of their resilience to heat and their ability to mute the sound of water passing through the pipes.

The stability of cast iron pipes makes them ideal for use with high water pressure. Cast iron pipes are too heavy to be used in regions that are difficult to reach because of transportation issues. Furthermore, because of their weight, they often come in short lengths, which raises the cost of planning and jointing.

The cast-iron pipe might experience rust and corrode. This will eventually impact its capacity to maintain a clean water supply. In domestic plumbing repairs, copper or PEX pipes have essentially taken the role of these kinds of pipes.

3. Copper Plumbing Pipes

Copper pipes have long been a staple in the plumbing industry, favoured for their durability and corrosion resistance. Common in both modern and traditional homes, these pipes, known for their distinctive reddish-brown hue, can last up to 50 years. They are a top choice for fixtures like sinks and bathtubs, primarily because they maintain water purity and don't leach chemicals, unlike some plastic pipes. Rigid copper, often used for in-house water supply, is valued for its safety and health benefits.

Small-diameter copper pipes are constructed of copper. These pipes are strong because copper doesn’t allow corrosion. It has walls that are M, L, and K thick—soldering flux onto the junction where the pipe and fitting or connector meet to create connections. 

However, since copper is expensive, they are only used in a few locations. Hot water or steam is often transported using these types of pipes. Even in hot conditions, they remain rigid and unbending. The soft metal is copper. Copper pipes may thus be readily bent. 

Union Joints, Flanged Joints and are used to connect them. Additionally, rigid copper is highly resilient and can readily be cut with a hacksaw or tube cutter. It is, however, rather pricey.

4. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Plumbing Pipes (ABS)

A black plastic pipe called ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is often used for drain, waste, and vent pipes. It resembles PVC pipe in appearance but is constructed of a thermoplastic resin, is black, and is a little softer.

ABS Pipes have a low melting temperature and are resistant to corrosive substances. In addition to being used for pipes, it is used for wall socket faceguards, computer keyboards, and Lego toys.

ABS pipes are identical to PVC pipes in nature. However, they are simple to distinguish because of their dark colour. Additionally, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene has exceptional resistance to cold temperatures. Vent and drain lines make up the majority of their applications.

Using this kind of pipe, sewage and wastewater from homes may be drained. It works well with DWV systems (drain waste vent).

It isn't adaptable, and It is sturdy, in other terms. Although sun exposure may bend and weaken it, this pipe is a somewhat durable and affordable option. However, like PVC, it may not be up to code in many areas, so check your local laws.

5. PEX Plumbing Pipes

Cross-linked polyethene, generally known as PEX, is a cost-effective plastic tubing frequently used for water supply lines. It prevents rust or corrosion from seeping into the water, just like PVC pipes. Application of this tube for radiant heating in homes is possible. It contains oxygen and other substances from penetrating and corroding the essential mechanical parts of heating systems.

It is possible to get PEX plastic pipe in three different sectionally linked polyethene (PEX) varieties: A, B, and C. For quick fixes, the three are graded as most flexible (A), a little less flexible (B), and the stiffest (C). PEX pipe is not available in all locations. For water supply lines, Pex Pipe is normally available in red for hot water, and blue coloured for cold water. 

As a result of their adaptability and ease of installation, PEX pipes continue to be sought after by professionals. They are strong enough to withstand the pressures of your water supply as well. 

As a bonus, cross-linked polyethene pipe for both cold and hot water can be colour-coded to make installation by plumbers even faster and more precise than before. It might also be used to transport potable water. For plumbing, it is easy to bend and lightweight, as shown in the figure below.

Tubes in the 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch range are readily available, and cutting and connecting them is a simple process. In addition, red denotes hot water and blue denotes cold water.

6. Steel Plumbing Pipes

Steel pipes move gas, water, or other liquids under pressure from one location to another. Steel sheets are used to make these pipes. Small tubes have invisible welded connections throughout the length of them.

Large pipes either have a welded or a riveted connection. These pipes are not heavy. A welded joint may be used to connect them. On Open Supports, they are positioned.

Such pipes were readily bendable. Both alkaline and acidic water may corrode these pipelines. This kind of piping is challenging to repair. Due to their thinner walls, they might potentially be squeezed by outside pressure.

Although they are more costly than other water delivery pipes, steel pipes are the strongest and longest-lasting. They are less expensive to install and transport because they can sustain high water pressure and are available in more practical (longer) lengths than most other pipes.

7. Asbestos-Cement Plumbing Pipes

Although pricey, concrete cement pipes are naturally non-corrosive. Their strength and durability are distinct advantages. However, since they are large and heavy, they are more challenging to handle, install, and move.

The components of the asbestos pipe are silica, asbestos, and cement that have been compressed under pressure to create a compact, homogeneous material with high strength.

There are 13-foot lengths of this sort of pipe in diameters ranging from 4 to 36 inches. There are many grades of the line manufactured, with the strongest being designed for internal pressures of up to 200 psi.

The junction is flexible enough to allow up to a 12° deflection when placing pipe around bends and is as corrosion-resistant as the pipe itself.

These pipes employ Concrete pipes with enormous diameters that are utilised to discharge heavy drainage water. For modest flows, smaller diameter pipes are used. These are unreinforced and composed entirely of concrete. These pipes were cast in advance.

8. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Pipes and Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) Pipes

Only subterranean pipe made of high-density polybutylene, or HDPE, is utilised, and depending on the kind of piping, it can be mandated by law. Flexible HDPE pipe performs well in cold climates but should not be exposed to direct sunlight. The best pipes on the market are undoubtedly those made of high-density polyethene. They may be employed in areas with high pressure and available in various thicknesses.

Due to their exceptional quality, some of these pipes have a 50-year guarantee and can bend to a 90-degree angle.

They are ideally suited for water lines and sewage lines in various applications since roots may never grow into these types of pipes.

On the other hand, LDPE pipes are used in the plumbing industry; water softening lines may be constructed using this tubing. Numerous solvents, acids, alkalis, and gases are ineffective against it. It is flexible, strong, and very resistant to stress cracks.

Tips for Plumbing Pipe Selection 

The function of the pipe and the layout of the area you're working in are the most significant considerations when selecting a conduit for your plumbing project. For example, if you're working in a confined space, you may want a more flexible pipe. 

You'll also have to consider the cost while making a decision. Costlier pipe, on the whole, has the advantage of lasting longer. So, in the long term, you may save money. Because of this, you'll need to know your local zoning laws so you may use an approved pipe. 

Before beginning your project, there are many advantages to consulting with a contractor or other plumbing specialist. As soon as the barriers fall, you may be unable to figure out precisely what is required.

Making an educated selection of the suitable plumbing pipe might be facilitated by speaking with a contractor or other plumbing specialist. Until barriers are torn down, and you can see the area you're working with, you may not always be able to determine precisely what you'll need.

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