Which Pipes Are Best for Your Home?


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Which Pipes Are Best For Your Home

Are you still confused about which pipes to use for your home? Worry no more, we’ve got you covered, so read on! There are a bunch of plumbing pipes available in the market that are used by experts and non-professionals in their residential and commercial buildings. However, not a lot of people know which piping is the best one to use for their homes. Therefore, we’re here to help you with this problem.

Now here’s the thing:

We’ve put together a list of different types of pipes and specified which households they are most suitable for. Thus, if you ever need home renovations your homes, you can check out this list and see which one to use for the general plumbing repair you’ll be doing. Without further ado, let’s get to it.

Type of Piping Materials

From small pipes to huge pipings, there are a lot of options to choose from if you want to use one for your home. But what people do not know is that there are certain standard pipes, plumbing fittings and fixtures that are not allowed to be installed in Australian houses. Thus, we’re here to inform you. And so, here’s a short list of the different types of plumbing pipes that are allowed to be installed in Australian households: 

Plastic Piping Options

When it comes to pipes, there are two main materials they are made of and one of them is plastic. Plastic pipes come in many compositions and sizes but they’re mostly shaped like hollow cylinders since these pipings are usually used to transfer liquids and gas fluids from one place to another.  Plastic pipes are lightweight, non-corrosive, chemically resistant, and easy to link. Thus, this is the kind of pipe that is commonly used for plumbing in every home. However, there are some restrictions on plastic pipes. So your plumber being aware of the various pressure and temperature limitations of plastic pipes is extremely important.

And here’s the deal:

There are various types of plastic pipings. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Thus, knowing exactly what pipe to use for that particular location in your household can be confusing. To help you with this, we listed these two types of plastic pipings that are usually used in Australian homes including their capabilities and restrictions:

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Is used commonly for wastewater and stormwater drainage.

Pvc Pipes

PVC pipes are the most commonly used piping in residential homes in Australia because of how affordable and versatile it is. This type of piping is utilized for both warm and cold water. What’s more, it can also be a medium for irrigation purposes. Since PVC pipes and PVC fittings are made of plastic, it will not rust or corrode over time. Meaning, unless it becomes damaged, there will be no need to replace it. It’s also extremely easy to use because any welding or metalwork is not needed.

However, there’s also a disadvantage with PVCs. Since it’s made of plastic, it can’t be used for hot liquids. And if you do use it for it, it’ll warp. Also, unfortunately, most PVC is not rated for use for drinking water, due to the fact that it can degrade with high temperatures, UV light exposure and extremely high pressures. Any degradation can damage the water supply and make it unsafe for drinking water.

PEX (Polyethylene Cross-Linked Pipe)

Commonly used for hot and cold water supply in commercial and domestic applications.
Pex Pipes

PEX piping is deemed to be one of the most innovative materials in the plumbing industry. Why?  Well, contrary to other plastic pipings, PEX is resistant to hot and cold temperatures. This means, it can be used for both hot and cold water lines in households, and it can even be utilized in heating systems. What’s more, it’s a flexible material that can be snaked through any part of your home.

But that’s not all. Compared to metal piping, PEX is much more affordable and easier to install. It can also be joined in various ways via push-fit fittings and crimp rings. Still, there are downsides to using PEX. The fact is, even though this type of piping is highly resistant to hot temperatures, it can’t be directly connected to water heaters. Thus, it’s best to use a metal connector together with it.

Galvanised Steel Piping Options

Commonly Used in the Past for Gas, Waste and Hot and Cold Water Supply Another material that pipes are made out of is galvanised steel. In times past , most pipes that were used in the construction of the plumbing systems of homes are metal. But in recent years, this has changed. Due to the popularity of plastic pipes, such as PVC and PEX, the trend for steel pipes plummeted. However, metal pipes such as Copper are still used in homes because of their durability.

Why? Well, some metal pipings are tough, versatile, and they’re a cost-effective solution for sewer systems. They’re also used for exposed pipes on sinks, toilets, showers, and bathtubs. Since plastic pipes can easily be damaged if they’re uncovered, so instead, metal pipes are used for this. Now, metal plumbing pipes have a variety of residential and plumbing applications and some of the most common types include:

Stainless Steel Pipes

Stainless Steel Pipes

Stainless steel is a versatile component since it’s low-maintenance, corrosion-resistant, and oxidation resistant. It’s also suitable for high temperature and chemical applications. What’s more, stainless steel can easily be cleaned and sanitized. No wonder, it’s used in a lot of applications like pipings to transport fluids or gases. Stainless steel can look very neat but it is very expensive. Stainless steel pipes are used in areas subject to corrosion and near coastal areas.

This type of pipe is available in both flexible and rigid and will need some special couplings to be attached to other types of pipes. Do not confuse stainless steel pipes with galvanized pipes. It is available in various sizes and lengths. Stainless steel pipe is commonly manufactured using a welding process or extrusion. The welding process involves shaping steel into a pipe shape and then welding the seams together to hold the shape. Extrusion creates a seamless product and involves heating a steel rod and then piercing it through the middle to create a pipe.

Copper Pipes

Copper Pipes

Copper Pipes are usually utilized in the construction of water supply lines and for heating, cooling, and air conditioning systems. This kind of pipe is corrosion-resistant, making it reliable connections, too.

There are three types of copper pipes used in residential homes and they are Type K, Type L, and Type M. There’s also the fourth type that’s used for drain-waste-vent but they’re only found in older houses.

Due to the extensive reliability and durability of copper pipes, they are one of the most used plumbing pipes in existence. Also, fittings made out of copper are also popular since they can be used in various applications.

Thus, copper fittings are frequently used as gas fitting, water heater fitting, and hose fitting.

To Sum It All Up

Pipes and plumbing fixtures are like the skeleton of our homes. So, it’s necessary to know which materials will be appropriate for the house that we have. Since if we use the wrong piping for our house, emergency plumbing might become the norm for us. With this in mind, we wanted to help you understand the different types of pipes available in the market. We hope that through our help, you’ll be able to find the best piping for your home.

Now, if you do experience emergency plumbing situations due to wrong piping installations in your home, the Plumbing and Electrical Doctor can help you with that. We’re a company that specializes in anything that has to do with plumbing. We’ve got certified plumbers and electricians that are trained to give the best customer service possible. To top it all off, we offer our services 24/7 with NO weekend penalty rates.

So, if you’re in a pinch and thinking “is there a plumber near me?” don’t hesitate to call us: 131091. Our welcoming representatives will be happy to help you. For more information, visit our website and chat with us!

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General Plumbing & Electrical | Hot Water Systems | Blocked Drains | Gas Fitting