9/11/2014 Types of Pipes Used for Water

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Water
By Aaron Stickley
Plumbing Expert Share this

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Ever wonder what types of pipe are safe to transport drinking water? Take a look
at this list of commonly used types of water pipes. Although there are other types
PLUMBING CATEGORIES
of pipes used for water, these are some of the most common ones that can be
found at your local home improvement or hardware stores. Plumbing Basics

• PVC Plumbing Tools

PVC stand for PolyVinyl Chloride. Toilets

This type of pipe has a wide variety
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9/11/2014 Types of Pipes Used for Water

of plumbing uses from drainage pipe

Drains
to water mains. It is most commonly
used for irrigation piping, home, and Septic & Sewer
building supply piping. PVC is also
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common in pool and spa Showers and Tubs

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systems. PVCSolder Copper
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You can often tell what it is used for Water Heaters
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pipe. For example purple pipe with black lettering is used for reclaimed water. Appliance Hook-ups
PVC also comes in a variety of thicknesses called schedules. Schedules 40 being
the most common for water distribution. Garbage Disposals

PVC pipe should always be clearly labeled if it is used for both potable (drinkable)
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and non potable water in the same building. PVC joins are made by using a primer
that softens the PVC and then applying PVC glue that melts the joints and pipe Mobile Homes
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CPVC stands for Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride. This type of pipe can stand 4 Signs You Chose the
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temperatures up to about 180 degrees (this depends on the schedule) or so and can
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be used for hot and cold water inside of a house or mobile home. CPVC is the same Timmons
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9/11/2014 Types of Pipes Used for Water

outside diameter as copper and PEX so push fit fittings that fit PEX and copper, Color Expert

such as SharkBite, will fit the CPVC pipping. Like with PVC you should use primer
and a glue when making a CPVC joint. Also, make sure the glue you are using says
that is can be used on CPVC. This glue is usually a different color like orange so
you know that it is used for CPVC. 5 Ways to Transform
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PEX stands for Cross-linked polyethylene or XLPEl but, PEX is much easier to
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remember and say. PEX is commonly used for hot and cold water in homes and as 2 Cleansing Toilet
hydronic heating due to its resistance to hot and cold temperatures. PEX is widely Bombs
used now for its competitive pricing, ease of use, and the long rolls of piping that it By David Fisher
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can come in. PEX is jointed in many different ways including push fit fittings and Expert
specialty PEX tools used with crimp rings to secure the joints.
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• Copper Pipe
This type of pipe is mostly used for hot and cold water distribution as well as being
regularly used in HVAC systems for refrigerant lines. Copper piping works in both
underground and aboveground applications, but copper can be affected by some
soils and should be sleeved if used underground. Due to the price of copper and
longer labor needed to install many builders are switching to alternative water

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9/11/2014 Types of Pipes Used for Water

distributions piping like PEX. Copper comes in different thicknesses which are
labeled M, L, and K. M is the thinnest grade of copper. Copper is connected by
soldering pipe into the fittings.

• Galvanized Pipe
Galvanized pipe is a zinc coated steel or iron pipe. This galvanized coating keeps
the water from eating up the pipe. Because of the amount of work that goes into
cutting, threading, and installing galvanized pipe it is not used in homes very
often any more. Galvanized pipe is still considered a safe transport for drinking
water and is still seen in larger commercial applications for water distribution. If
you have a pre 1970s house you could still have galvanized water lines in your
house if it has not been re-piped. FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

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