Don’t think that all plumbing pipes are the same.
In today’s plumbing world, there are many types of plumbing pipes available: some made from newer materials, and some are old classics.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of these six commonly used plumbing pipes.
Modern-Day Plumbing Pipes
Copper Pipes
Commonly used for water supply lines within the home, copper pipes (also known as rigid copper) are better plumbing options available. Not only is the pipe easy to install and repair for professional Calgary plumbers (as it can be easily cut copper cutters), but for homeowners, it handles heat well, stands up to high water pressure and can be recycled.
As for the cons: it can be a tad more expensive than other plumbing pipe options, and it’s not a pipe for DIY projects. It’s best to leave that to the professionals.
PEX Pipes
PEX is made from HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) and is a long-lasting alternative to most older-day pipes. It is durable, cost-effective, non-toxic, resists freezing damage, and doesn’t corrode from the inside.
As such, it’s considered the best replacement pipe for plumbing repairs.
PVC Pipes
Short for polyvinyl chloride, PVC has slowly become one of the more popular choices for residential plumbing systems.
Made with a combination of plastic and vinyl (in technical terms, thermoplastic polymer), these pipes have a long life span, have more durability than most other metal pipes, and can easily handle water pressure, making them ideal for the main supply line. It is also easy to mould and bend to your will and has a low-cost attached to it.
However, it can also be susceptible to warping, especially in extremely hot water, and cannot be unjoined and must be cut when they are glued together.
CPVC Pipes
Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride, shortened to CPVC, is the sister of PVC. Both are made with similar elements and materials, with the key difference being that CPVC is chlorinated.
What does this mean?
It means that apart from sharing many of the same benefits as PVC, CPVC pipes can also withstand higher temperatures than PVC pipes. This ensures CPVC can handle hot water transport.
Outdated Plumbing Pipes Still in Use
Poly B Pipes
Poly B pipes are also known as Polybutylene pipes. They are flexible grey pipes mainly used in hot water and residential plumbing systems. It was considered the standard home pipe, as it was used in properties from 1985 to 1997 because of its flexibility, low cost, and ease of installation.
However, due to its reputation for being notoriously problematic, resulting in hairline cracks, leaks at fittings and bends when exposed to excessive high-temperature, uv light or high-pressure areas, it has been replaced with more advanced pipes, such as PEX.
Galvanized Steel
While not common in today’s housing construction, galvanized steel was big in the 1980s, and many homes still have them today. The steel pipes are coated with a layer of zinc, which helps prevent any build-up of rust, while they can easily be threaded together at the ends.
As for the reasons why homes don’t have them anymore: they eventually corrode and block water flow while also passing on lead into the water supply. Unfortunately, a lot of homes still have them and use them (particularly for some applications, like natural gas hot water heaters). It’s best to get them replaced when possible.
Calgary Plumber and Drains is your number one team of Calgary plumbers! Our success has been built on values such as honesty, hard work, affordable prices and superior customer service. We pride ourselves on offering clients throughout Downtown and surrounding areas with top-quality plumbing services, including leak repairs, installations, sewer and drain cleaning, toilet repairs, and water heater repairs in Calgary. As an emergency plumber in Calgary, we’re available when you’re in dire straits! For the number one plumbing company in Calgary, contact Calgary Plumber and Drains at 403-629-2920.