Plumbing is really important because it moves our dirty water away from our homes and to places where it can be cleaned and reused. In the past, pipes made from metals like cast iron and copper were used a lot, but now plastic pipes are becoming more popular. There are five common types of plastic pipes for plumbing: ABS, CPVC, HDPE, PEX, and PVC.
ABS is a sturdy plastic that was one of the first plastics used for residential plumbing. It's softer than PVC, and it's mostly used for vent and drain lines, and other outdoor underground uses where cold temperatures are common.
CPVC is a type of PVC that has been treated with chlorine, which makes it more resistant to high temperatures and pressures. It's commonly used in industrial plumbing and residential hot water lines that regular PVC wouldn't be good for.
HDPE is really tough and durable, so it can be used for almost any plumbing need. It also reduces water pressure, so water flows easily inside.
PEX is used in home plumbing systems for hot and cold water pipes, as well as freshwater kitchen and bathroom systems. PEX pipes are color coded so plumbers can easily identify hot and cold lines.
PVC is commonly used for main water lines, but not for hot water applications since it warps at temperatures higher than 140°F.
Using plastic pipes for water lines has many advantages over using metal pipes. One of the biggest advantages is that plastic is easy to cut and form into any shape or size needed, which reduces the amount of work needed to install them. Plastic pipes are also non-reactive, meaning they won't corrode when different types of metal pipes are connected together. Plastic pipes are also corrosion resistant, so they won't rust after being in contact with water and other fluids for a long time. Plastic pipes also have low heat conductivity, meaning they can handle a wide range of temperatures without warping or cracking. At the same time, their low conductivity helps maintain the temperature of the water inside without creating condensation like copper pipes are prone to do (if not insulated). Plastic pipes for plumbing are usually color coded and marked on the outside to show what they're for and what size they are, making it easy to identify and replace them if needed. Please reach out to us Plumbers Wausau if you ever have any questions on which pipings are best for your project.