Common Types Of Pipes Plumbers Use

What is plumbing if there are no pipes? It’s just like sewing without a thread. But just like sewing where there are a number of thread thickness and thread durability to choose from, it can also be overwhelming to select the right type of pipe to use for a specific plumbing project.

In this article, you’ll learn about the common types of pipes plumbers use, and how their uses vary. These are the plumbing pipes you commonly find in homes.

PVC Pipes

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipe is the most common plumbing pipe that’s used in residential plumbing due to its durability, inexpensiveness, and ease of use. It’s white and lightweight, is ideal for drain pipes, waste removal, and vent pipes. PVC pipe is not suitable for hot temperatures such as carrying hot water or a highly pressurized water supply line as it can warp or burst.

PEX Pipes

Polyethylene cross-linked (PEX) pipe is highly flexible and comes in different colors – red, blue, white – that lets you choose what color to assign to hot and cold lines. This extremely durable pipe is easy to maneuver and can be easily bent around corners. It can withstand below-freezing temperatures to extremely hot ones. It’s designed for interior water supply lines and underground installations.

Copper Pipes  

Copper pipe has been used in plumbing for decades. To this day, it continues to be the most commonly used material in water supply lines as it is highly resistant to corrosion. It’s well suited for a hot and cold water supply because of its durability and inherent tolerance to temperature changes – from high heat to freezing cold.

The two main types of the copper pipe are flexible and rigid. The flexible variety is often used for making repairs to a building and for awkward angles. The rigid type is used for bridging longer distances, especially during construction to run supply and drainage lines.

One drawback to copper piping is its requirement for soldering. Installation requires heating the pipe up using a propane torch so the solder flows into the joint to make a proper seal.

ABS, CPVC, Galvanized

The not-so-common types of pipes include acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), and galvanized. The ABS works in a similar fashion to PVC, only it’s black and cannot be exposed to direct sunlight. The CPVC is usually off-white and is less durable than copper, but can also be safe for drinking water application. The galvanized pipe has a tendency to rust, thus its short life, making it a bad choice for clean water supply lines.

If you’re planning a bathroom or kitchen renovation but not quite sure as to what type of pipes to use, we are here to help. You may call Shaul’s Plumbing and Heating at 778-397-4850. We’re here to help you choose the right type of piping and to ensure that you’ll do your plumbing project safely. For other plumbing issues and concerns, don’t hesitate to call us immediately at 778-397-4850.