Plumbing systems are essential in every household, but most people don’t see the need to know the most critical part of plumbing: the pipes. The kind of inside piping installed in your house will influence water quality, efficiency, and maintenance costs. Here at True Blue Plumbing, we assist residents with selecting and installing appropriate plumbing pipes for their houses.
This blog will focus on why proper piping is crucial, the different kinds of piping, and how to find the most helpful piping for your needs.
Inside Look at Different Piping Types
The suitable plumbing materials are not selected, so the system does not last as long as it should. Read below to understand the critical reasons in detail:
Strength: With time, pipes are bound to get weak or damaged, especially if they are not made for what is inside the house; suitable pipes are meant to last, preventing the cost of replacing pipes.
Water Quality: Very few people are aware that certain pipes negatively impact the water supplied to their houses. Manufacturers that use steel or lead in pipes should be banned, as they are harmful. Materials such as copper and PEX are far more beneficial.
Efficiency: Efficient piping can help avoid waste. For example, systems designed correctly to hold water pressure and limit water leakages and energy loss can also enable higher energy efficiency and save money.
Cost & Maintenance: Some pipes are quite expensive, but due to their lifespan and maintenance cost, they are economical. Discussing the cost factors and structure concerning performance and efficiency is essential.
Common Types of Inside Piping for Homes
There are several types of inside piping in terms of materials. They all have certain benefits and disadvantages and are suited to meet the needs of a particular house.
Copper Pipes: Copper piping has always been quite common in plumbing works in a house. Hot or cold high-temperature piping is best suited for it.
- Pros:
They easily outlast any competition due to their self-corrosion resistance.
Water carried through them is always pure.
It is ideal for both hot and cold water lines.
- Cons:
They are rather costly compared to most plastics.
They are pretty stiff, so using them in confined spaces can be difficult.
In colder regions, they can quickly freeze.
Long-end copper pipes would be a worthy investment if high water quality is a concern.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Pipes: Many pipes used in plumbing systems nowadays are made from PVC due to its lightweight properties and adaptability.
- Pros:
It is inexpensive and easy to fit.
Calcium and rust resistant.
Best for cold water pipes.
- Cons:
Disallowed on hot water pipes as they can easily get deformed with heat.
Weak at eccentric pressure or very low temperatures.
For non-heated water systems, PVC is usually the first choice by homeowners looking for the cheapest option.
PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene) Pipes: PEX pipes are relatively new to the market, and although their history is short, they are being quickly adopted for their flexibility and ease of use.
- Pros:
Stretchable and suitable for routing through walls and other congested places.
It’s good that they’ll not freeze and won’t corrode.
It’s cheap and lasts for a long time.
- Cons:
It can break down if exposed to direct sunshine for too long.
It is terrible for the environment compared to some of the materials.
If added complexity to the house’s plumbing isn’t an issue or if the plumbing has directions of a particular degree installed, PEX is the best.
Galvanized Steel Pipes: There was a time when Galvanized steel pipes were the most popular, but they have now become quite old school.
- Pros:
Excellent and effective to high water pressure.
Common in old homes, it is so simple to do repairs on pre-existing systems.
- Cons:
Metal and mineral deposits are a common threat because they are corrosive and, ultimately, might make the material poisonous.
Excessive rust will reduce both the water flow and the quality of the water.
If your house has galvanized pipes, you may want to replace them to improve water quality and avoid future problems.
CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) Pipes: CPVC is a variant of PVC that is more heat resistant and durable, making it suitable for hot water lines.
- Pros
It is inexpensive and straightforward to put together.
It is protected from corrosion and high heat.
- Cons
It is brittle with age, especially in cold regions.
It does not stretch as easily as PEX.
CPVC can be an affordable option for households looking for a cost-effective solution for their hot and cold water supply lines.
Cast Iron Pipes: Cast iron pipes offer good sound insulation and strength properties, which is why they find application in drainage systems.
- Pros
This is great for waste lines because it will lessen the noise.
This is highly tough and durable.
- Cons:
Expensive and difficult to use.
Over the years, it will get rusty and corroded.
Although cast iron pipes are not perfect for internal supply lines, they make an excellent drainage option.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Inside Piping
Choosing the correct type of piping does not end solely with selecting the material. Consider the following aspects:
Home Age and Existing Plumbing: Older homes are likely to contain galvanized or cast iron pipes that may need replacing. If new materials are compatible with existing ones, future upgrades will be easier and cheaper.
Industry-specific Water Demand Per Capita: In these types of demand, the household may require larger diameter pipes and slightly more robust materials such as copper and PEX, which may readily cope with temperature and pressure changes.
Materials-Local Requisite Building Codes: All the municipalities and ordinances concerning the piping materials that can be used.
Cost Aspect: The primary constraint regarding copper pipes is their cost, especially while the advantages of copper are clear. PVC or PEX are available as cost-effective replacements that are also efficient in performance.
True Blue Plumbing Company: Reasons to Hire Us When You Are Working on Your Home Piping Project
At True Blue Plumbing, we have qualified personnel with hands-on experience and are also concerned with the quality of service. This is why homeowners in Lawrenceville consider us for their plumbing issues:
Feasibility Assessments and Recommendations: Our professionals will assess your house’s specific needs and provide practical recommendations on the types of piping materials that best suit your requirements.
Services We Render: With advanced technology and tools, we ensure every pipe we install is done correctly to prevent any leaking or weaknesses in the pipes. We assure you the entire piping system we build is one you can depend on.
Maintenance and Repairs: We focus on all levels of service maintenance and repair solutions, including leaking problems, defects, and entire replacement of piping systems.
Quality Assurance Efforts: True Blue Plumbing pays absolute attention to top-quality materials and workmanship. We aim to design and install plumbing systems that will never require replacement.
After All
The selection of an appropriate type of piping for inside the wall is crucial in terms of enhancing reliability, efficiency, and the prolonged life of plumbing in the house. With copper, PEX, and PVC, I am sure you have plenty of options to fine-tune your system to suit your goals and finances.
The team at True Blue Plumbing focuses on serving as a resource for our local area homeowners by educating them to make the right decisions and providing professional installation and maintenance services. Call us today, schedule a consultation, and let’s start building together a plumbing system that will give you peace of mind!
