The cold and hot-water supply is impossible without correctly picked up pipes. Therefore their choice is paramount task for everyone who plans leading of communications to the house. The modern market provides wide choice of the products differing on material, operating conditions and life cycle.
What should be considered when choosing pipes
The modern market offers wide choice of the products differing on the used material, operating conditions and life cycle. Therefore it is worth carrying out the overview of all possible options of pipes, their pluses and minuses that then is weighed to make the decision on purchase.
For a start it is worth understanding to what parameters it is worth paying attention when choosing pipe for water supply:
- reliability and durability;
- expected life cycle;
- ability to sustain the high pressure and temperature differences;
- parameters of pumping equipment;
- complexity in mounting.
During selection of pipe, material of which it is made is of great importance. Pipes conditionally are divided into universal which can be used practically in any sphere, and narrowly targeted with limited scope of application. Carry pipes from copper or steel to the first type, the second version includes different types of plastic more often.
Also it is worth paying attention to one more necessary condition - to the size, namely to diameter and length of the bought pipe. It is possible to decide on the necessary indicators relying on the following characteristics of future water system:
- water pressure;
- system length;
- number of turns and joints.
Considering these requirements it is worth understanding that you should not chase cheap materials when it is going to make good water supply system. The attempt to save on material or diameter of products will not lead to anything good. On the contrary, the risk of fast wear of communications and emergence of the additional expenditure covering elimination of consequences of accidents increases.
Steel pipes
In production of pipes black or galvanized steel is used. Strength indices of these pipes are quite high, however production of similar products has not found wide circulation.
Carry superlative degree of resistance to mechanical influences and high pressure of water to undoubted advantages of such pipes. The communications made of black steel do not spoil because of temperature drop. And in case of galvanization they are reliably protected also from corrosion. Producers specify life cycle up to 50 years.
At the same time there are shortcomings which significantly reduce demand for these products. First, internal walls of pipes can become covered over time by raid which will complicate pass of water and will significantly reduce its quality. Secondly, steel is good conductor of electricity that can also have negative impact on human health. And during thunderstorm can even constitute danger. Thirdly, unpleasant feature of such products is condensate. Besides, mounting of design will surely demand special skills and tools.
Merits and demerits of copper pipes
Copper is carried to the strongest materials which operation does not cause big difficulties. Pleases also life cycle in comparison with other options - 70 years. Carry high rates on durability and resistance to temperature variation to the main advantages of this metal. Copper pipes will give to water supply system worthy exterior which is capable to execute successfully decorative function at the solution of design tasks.
Separately It should be noted positive influence of the similar decision on human health. Copper is considered resistant to various chemical impacts and creation of dangerous connections. It does not form connections with chlorine which make adverse effect on quality of potable water. Thus water supply in copper pipes is considered standard of reliability and safety.
Some their most essential shortcomings of the similar choice the high price is. It results in the shortage of similar goods on counters of hardware stores and the markets. Need to involve third-party experts in mounting of copper system appears the second complexity. One more important nuance is that this metal demands preliminary cleaning of system and special welding further completely to justify the advantages.
Pipes from metalplastic
These pipes consist of several layers of plastic on integral, spiral or perforated metal framework. It is considered that the water supply from metalplastic is suitable mainly for giving. For owner-occupied dwellings or the apartment it is imprudent to use pipes from such material.
According to researches the metalplastic product differs in number of undoubted advantages:
- stability at temperature up to 75 degrees;
- opportunity to execute mounting by the hands, using special fitting;
- the pipe if necessary can be bent easily;
- such option can be chosen, planning mounting of the hidden water system under the soil;
- low cost of material.
However along with pluses it is important to note number of essential shortcomings of the similar choice. Refer low frost resistance and also insufficient durability in places of connections to them. Fixtures will demand periodic tightening of connections in thread. Their replacement will demand additional financial investments as the cost of feature connectors is rather high.
Life cycle of metalplastic water supply system makes 35 years. Therefore it is irrational to choose such pipes for water supply in private inhabited possession (house or the apartment).
Plastic pipes
In recent years arrangement of water supply systems and heating with use of plastic becomes more and more demanded. The main reason of such popularity is that this material has the majority of advantages of expensive analogs in combination with the affordable price. Plastic pipes can differ in structure. At the same time its main versions became:
- polypropylene;
- polyethylene;
- polyvinylchloride (or PVC).
The first of the provided modifications of plastic differs in firmness up to 90 degrees and life cycle up to 50 years. Unlike metalplastic, its joints are rather airtight to do without regular pullings up and repair in use.
The polypropylene structure has one feature which should be considered in the course of use - it is deformed when heating. The difference makes up to 15 cm by 10 meters of length. It is feature does not impose any restrictions for application of such pipes for cold water supply. However if is going to start up very hot water in pipe, reinforcing surely will be required. It is for this purpose recommended to use the fiber glass minimizing deformation. To quality of alternative it is possible to use aluminum or other metals, but the quality at the same time will decrease.
Other modification of plastic pipes is polyethylene. Thanks to it communications differ in high frost resistance therefore they are used for wiring of land communications. On them it is possible to start up cold water which when freezing will not damage covering. And thanks to high density the product is often used also for hot-water supply.
Polyethylene can be sewed and normal. In the first case the mounting is possible without use of the welding machine. In the second case it is necessary element for carrying out assembly. This material very flexible that simplifies work of the master of the plumber. Carry the fact that the sewed polyethylene is less available to shortcomings.
Plastic pipe PVC is considered inexpensive, but practical option. It belongs to universal types of the sanitary equipment. It keeps firmness irrespective of, cold or hotly. At the same time the experienced plumber will not forget to warn that he owing to high chemical activity of PVC can emit hazardous substances in water.
How to choose suitable pipe
For decision-making it is worth defining first of all where exactly pipes will be used - in the house, the apartment, at the dacha, underground or on it. Whether on pipe exclusively cold water will be pumped, or it is necessary to consider temperature of hot water. It should be taken into account the water supply system length, diameter, how many joints and bends will be in design.
Not on the last place there is also financial question - not all are able to afford qualitative copper pipes. But also the attempt save on material can lead to additional expenditure further. Therefore treat purchase with all responsibility - qualitative pipes will serve for many years so invest in the future.