What are the different kinds of plumbing pipes available in the market?

Pipes constitute one of the major parts in modelling, remodelling, or building homes or workspaces. Homeowners must maintain them regularly, or else they start to leak and can pose as a significant hindrance to day to day life.

How to cure leaking pipes?

There are various reasons as to why the pipes start leaking, some of them being- temperature change, pipes bursting, an intrusion of roots, no maintenance, or inadequate plumbing. However, you may want to get the pipes replaced whenever faced with plumbing issues, but it does not have to be the go-to remedy. There is a new technology, an alternate method of repairing these- relining pipes. It is a process by which plumbers strengthen the pipes from inside and reline them. So, if you are having any plumbing issues, you should check out Sydney Pipe Relining services.

You need to give a significant amount of attention as there are various types of pipes available in the market, and these are suitable for different plumbing purposes- water supply, drainage, and sewage systems.

Different types of pipes used for plumbing

Earlier, there were just two types of pipes that were mainly used- cast iron and galvanized steel. Now with the industry and technology evolving, there are several kinds of pipes present, and each comes with different sets of pros and cons. Following are the types that are popular today-

1. PVC Pipes – Polyvinyl chloride aka PVC pipes attained fame due to its lightweight, which makes it easier to handle, install and work with as compared to usual steel pipes. It is economical, and you can use it for long term projects like irrigation. Sunlight can deteriorate its quality, and since these are glued pipes, the chances of leakages are more. 

2. Copper Pipes (Rigid) – It is incredibly suitable for water supply as it does not possess anything that can pose as a risk to the health aspect. It can endure heat and pressure well and is easily recyclable. Interior of the pipe may corrode and lead to leakage. It is a little expensive.
3. Copper Pipes (Flexible) –It is just suitable for short runs, like runs to the refrigerators, sinks, heaters, etc. It can bend and fit into irregular areas; can bear with high heat and is also costly and tends to break.

4. ABS Pipes- Builders generally use Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene r ABS pipes in drainage systems. It looks similar to PVC pipes but has more strength. It is suitable for cold temperatures and underground usage. It is commonly not allowed by building code and tends to deform at specific temperatures. 

5. PEX Pipes – These are cross-linked polyethylene pipes. It is one of the most recent types to have hit the market and has gained immense popularity owing to its flexibility. This pipe is solely for water supply; it is inexpensive and can weave through the walls, basements, crawlspaces, etc. Its two major drawbacks are that it is unrecyclable and its leakage tendencies.    

6. Galvanized Steel Pipe – You can find this pipe in old buildings, and is mostly unevenly installed. It is not used for water supply as it passes lead into it, which is hazardous to health. It has immense strength but erodes over time and can lead to blockage of water flow. 

Consult an expert to make the appropriate selection for your requirements. There is a wide range of available choices.