What pipes are best for a water supply system?

How to choose pipes

When choosing products, you need to take into account the visual characteristics of pipes, as well as other features:

• Materials should be homogeneous, not contain any inclusions;
• The pipes must be marked and indicated by GOST, in accordance with which they were manufactured;
• There should be no unpleasant smell in such pipes;
• The wall thickness should be the same along the entire length of the product;
• The pipe surface must be smooth.

With the full compliance of the selected pipe with all the above points, the product can be called quite high quality. Such a pipe is great for installing a line in a cold water supply system. Low-quality products can only be used to meet the simplest technical needs.

A pipe that can be installed in a cold water system is marked with a blue stripe along the entire length of the product, painted black. Pipes used for such purposes are also painted blue.

HDPE pipes for cold water supply systems are often marked by embossing, or printed, the following information is indicated on the products:

• Purpose and GOST;
• Overall dimensions, or the ratio of wall thickness and diameter;
• Product strength factor. PE100 high quality manifolds. PE80 pipes of lower class;
• Manufacturer's name;
• The footage is not indicated by all manufacturers.

The cost of products also requires attention in the process of choosing the right product. If the price per meter of pipe is lower in comparison with the average market indicator, it means that the buyer is fake, or a product intended for the simplest household needs.

Polyethylene pipes

Polyethylene pipes are marked in accordance with their purpose, similar to products from other possible materials. Products can be reeled into spools and coils if they have a small diameter. The high elasticity of the pipe can be maintained even in frosty winter. Therefore, the polyethylene plumbing system is quite frost-resistant. The walls of the pipe will only be slightly stretched with ice. The pipes will be back to their original size after the ice has melted.

Consider the areas of application of polyethylene pipes:

• Underground water pipes;
• Water supply inlets;
• Summer cottage systems and temporary removable summer water pipes.

The service life of such devices is at least 50 years. The allowable working pressure is 6-16 kgf / sq. cm.

Polypropylene

Polypropylene cold water pipes are attracting many homeowners for their affordable price. The cost of products can reach 20-25 rubles per running meter with a standard pipe diameter of 20 mm. To connect such pipes, special fittings are used, which are also affordable.

Other quality characteristics can also please users:

• The duration of the operational period of products, the temperature of the working environment in which does not exceed 20 degrees, can be 50 years or more.
• The working pressure indicator can be from 10 to 20 kg / sq. cm;
• Welded joints are durable and tight.

Polypropylene pipes can be hidden in grooves or cement screed without any leaks in the near future.

Modern plastic pipes for water supply: types

They are distinguished by plastic pipes based on polypropylene, polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride.The result is an affordable material for the water supply of a house or apartment. For a long service, it is advised to give preference to plastic.

Plastic is most often used to supply cold water, since the material will not withstand temperatures above 80 degrees. This option is ideal for external water supply from a well or well.

Plastic pipes can be installed by yourself. Polyvinyl chloride is used for the construction of gravity sewers with an operating temperature of no higher than 40 degrees. But the question of the choice of material for plumbing in an apartment with a certain fluid pressure remains open.

Features of using polypropylene for hot water supply:

1. Temperature resistance is higher than 140 degrees;
2. Pressure resistant.

Installation of such products can take place in two ways. The first involves cold welding. To do this, it is enough to glue the pipe and the coupling. This results in a tight and strong seam.

The installation can also be carried out by diffusion welding. The ends of the pipes melt and then join. But it is impossible to disassemble such a structure without a cut. This disadvantage is leveled by the resistance of the seam to high pressures.

Reinforced plastic

These are composite products consisting of aluminum cores and several polyethylene shells, which are connected to the glue using a core.

For the shell, the following material can be used:

• Low pressure polyethylene PE;
• The crosslinked PEX material has a high mechanical strength and a fairly high temperature resistance
• PERT is a highly heat resistant material that can withstand operating temperatures up to 110 degrees.

The operating period is over 50 years. Working pressure indicator is 10-16 atmospheres.

Several types of fittings can be used for installation:

1. Compression, in which a pipe is put on the herringbone fitting, after which it is crimped using a special split ring. The main advantage of such devices is the absence of the need to use complex tools during installation.
2. Press fittings, in which a special stainless steel sleeve is used instead of a ring. Installation requires electric pliers or similar mechanical aids. This type of connection cannot be disassembled and further serviced.

The second type of connections is highly reliable.

Announce the entire list

1. What materials of pipes for water supply does the modern market offer?

Here is a list of the most requested solutions:

The video in this article will allow you to learn more about which pipes to choose for your plumbing.

Limitations

1. What pipe materials for internal water supply can be used in an apartment building?

In the beginning - a small lecture about the hot water supply system in most of the houses of the old foundation.

DHW is supplied to the apartment directly from the heating main through inserts into the supply and return of the elevator unit. The supply water temperature (depending on the outdoor water temperature) can vary from 60 to 150 degrees. Switching the water supply between supply and return is performed manually, which makes the actual operating conditions of the water supply system completely dependent on the so-called human factor.

Black pipe - DHW filling with tie-ins into the feed and return of the elevator

In addition: in any circuit with continuous circulation of water, there is a high likelihood of a water hammer. For a pressure surge, it is enough to instantly stop the flow by quickly closing the valve or ball valve.

Hence, there are limitations in the choice of material: in houses with hot water supply through an elevator unit for hot water supply, only metal pipes can be used. There are only four types of them - steel (black and galvanized), copper and stainless steel. All plastics very poorly tolerate the combination of high temperatures and pressure surges: at best, the combination of these factors leads to accelerated degradation of the walls of the water supply system, at worst - to its instantaneous destruction.

Note: if the owner of the home has replaced the water supply using materials not provided for in the building design, all damage from flooding of neighbors will have to be covered by him.

The consequences of flooding an apartment with boiling water

Life time

1. How long is the service life of water pipes?

Here are the official figures for different materials:

• Black steel - 10-15 years;

Typical condition of a steel water pipe after 15 years of service

• Galvanized - 20-30 years;

It is curious: the water pipes, risers and heating pipes made of galvanized steel that were opened by the author were invariably in perfect condition. The operation of water supply pipes for 50-60 years did not lead to the appearance of deposits and corrosion. Therefore, in the opinion of the author, these terms can be considered underestimated.

• Copper - from 50 years old;

Note: the oldest copper water pipes are in operation in the second century and still perform their functions perfectly.

• For corrugated stainless pipes, an unlimited service life is declared at all with the only clarification: after 30 years, you need to change the O-rings in the fittings;

Corrugated stainless steel - the official champion among centenarians

• PVC and PE serve in cold water for at least half a century;
• For other types of pipes (polypropylene, cross-linked and heat-resistant polyethylene, metal-plastic), the service life is usually 50 years for cold water and 25 for hot water.

Let's clarify: for hot water supply, these service lives are correct only if the temperature standards recommended by the manufacturer are observed. The higher the water temperature, the faster the polymer degrades.

Relationship between temperature, pressure and service life for polypropylene

HDPE pipes

Homeowners who are solving the problem of running a water supply system in a private house have heard of materials such as HDPE. For beginners in this matter, it is advisable to understand the types of HDPE pipes that can be used for installation.

The abbreviations indicated on the products (HDPE, PVC, etc.) help determine the material from which the pipe is made. HDPE is low pressure polyethylene. This is the initial raw material used for the manufacture of PE products, in particular for pipes.

The quality of HDPE products may vary. The basic properties of the raw material used have an impact on the characteristics of the pipes produced. The performance characteristics and potential duration of use are also influenced by these basic material properties.

Some developers are installing a HDPE pipeline that can be used for 45-50 years. Some products become unusable after 1.5-2 years of operation. The qualitative characteristics of the feedstock are decisive in this matter. Therefore, you need to understand how to choose the right polyethylene pipes.

Pipe material

Plumbing pipes can be made from various materials. The operational qualities of each material are mandatorily spelled out in regulatory enactments.

So, the types of pipes suitable for plumbing, depending on the material of manufacture:

Steel pipes

It is a highly durable material. They are protected from external influences, from changes in water temperatures and high pressure.

However, in addition to the advantages, there are also significant disadvantages in the use of this type of pipe. They have poor corrosion resistance.

In addition, the weight of these structures is high and the installation of such water pipes is very difficult. They need to be cut, connected by welding.

Steel is coated with a zinc compound for greater resistance to corrosion. But over time, it wears out and the pipes become more vulnerable. Steel pipes are manufactured in various densities and wall thicknesses.

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Copper pipes

This option is considered the most durable and safest. It does not corrode, and harmful impurities do not enter the water. They last about 70 years, which is much longer than other options. Moreover, all the positive qualities of steel products are present in this option.

Copper pipes are used for the construction of external and buried pipelines. Plumbing with an external location when using this material looks attractive and does not spoil the aesthetics of the room.

The only drawback is the high price of copper plumbing pipes.

Plastic pipes

In many ways, they are superior to other types of water pipes. They are lightweight, do not corrode and are easy to install.

But it is worth noting that external damage with this type of pipe occurs often. Despite this, plastic pipes for water supply are still the most popular.

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Cink Steel

The service life of steel pipes can be extended by zinc coating on the inside and outside. Galvanizing allows you to get a completely new material that is resistant to corrosion and blockages in pipes. Previously, in the so-called stalinka, galvanized products were installed without welding using cast iron corners or special tees. Even after several decades of successful operation, galvanized steel pipes remained in good condition.

The relative complexity of the installation is one of the main disadvantages of such products. It is highly undesirable to use synthetic materials for sealing joints. Traditionally used substances like flax, impregnated with drying oil or paint, have proven themselves in the best way.

Steel

Not everyone can mount steel pipes. To give them the desired bending angle, a special machine is required. Pipes are cut with a locksmith tool, which is long and inconvenient. The connection of the pipeline elements is carried out by welding or couplings and tees. To ensure the tightness of threaded connections during assembly, you need to get the skills of winding tow. It may not work the first time.

The service life of steel pipes is over 25 years. They are sold from 75 rubles / m, fittings for them - from 10 rubles. per piece

Steel water pipes are constantly corroded. Therefore, the outside is periodically covered with paint.

Steel pipes can withstand pressures above 70 atm and temperatures not below +200 ° C. But their appearance is unattractive.

Sizing chart of steel pipes for water supply.

Choosing the right diameter

To select a pipe of a suitable diameter, you need to use specially compiled hydrodynamic tables.

The tables contain the following information:

• Optimal water consumption;
• The material from which the pipes are made and the indicator of its roughness;
• Length of the plumbing structure;
• The number of turns provided in the pipeline;
• Decrease in internal diameter due to overgrowth with deposits.

Reinforced-plastic, copper or galvanized pipes are made in such a way that their inner diameter will not decrease over time.

For installation in a private house, you can use a galvanized steel pipe with an inner diameter of ¾; products made of polypropylene or polyethylene with an outer diameter of 25 mm are also suitable.

You need to understand that polyethylene can only be used for cold water supply systems.It is better to install copper and galvanized products with an internal section of ½ in the building. The outer diameter of metal-plastic products can be 16 mm. The outer diameter of polypropylene should be 20 mm.

Which pipes to choose

Most often, steel pipes for cold water supply are installed in houses. The disadvantages of such a pipeline are obvious:

unpleasant taste, color and odor of water due to corrosion of the material; rapid destruction of pipes at the joints.

Slightly better in terms of the quality of water supplied to the house are zinc-coated pipes. But galvanizing also has an unpleasant property to interact with water and saturate it with zinc compounds. In addition, at the joints of the pipes, the zinc coating breaks down very quickly, and the pipes begin to rust again.

Stainless steel pipes are almost perfect:

do not rust, do not change the color and taste of water; do not pollute water; will last long enough.

The only reason they are not used as widely as steel cold water pipes or galvanized pipes is because of their cost. But if you want to have clean water in your home, then you have to spend money.

Cast iron pipes are a unique and most popular material for trunk pipelines. The service life of such pipes is almost 100 years. If you want to bring water into the house and almost forever forget about the plumbing, stop at this material.

The advantages of cast iron include the fact that it does not interact with water, does not rust and does not affect the taste of water. An important advantage of cast-iron pipes is their ability to withstand heavy loads: at factories they are tested with a pressure of over 50 atmospheres.

It is possible to use pipes made of cast iron both for domestic and drinking water supply and for installing sewerage systems.

Another option is plastic pipes. Quite a popular and budget option, and the ease of installation and long service life made them the favorite material of builders. It is believed that plastic does not interact with water.

General installation guidelines

When choosing suitable materials, it is advisable to give preference to products with a permanent connection. On sufficiently long sections, compensation loops or U-bends can be installed.

After the installation is complete, access to each installed joint should be open, excluding soldered and welded seams. First of all, such requirements are imposed on metal-plastic products. The duration of the use of household appliances or individual elements of household plumbing will be extended in a situation when a filter device is installed at the entrance to the building in the water supply. Homeowners are given a choice of a large number of all kinds of communications, fittings, fixing elements, fittings, etc.

Advantages of polymer pipes and technical products

Let's consider the main advantages of technical pipes:

• Low weight makes the installation process much easier;
• The pipes are resistant to corrosion;
• The connection of pipe structures is carried out both by welding the seam and using special PVC fittings. This will greatly reduce the installation time;
• Long duration of the operational period;
• Due to the elasticity, the pipes will not burst when icing;
• Any homeowner can install a plumbing system from such pipes on his own without prior professional training;
• Absolute material safety. No toxic harmful substances are released;
• Relatively low cost of HDPE pipe structures.

Advantages of polymer products:

• Long duration of the operational period;
• Relatively light weight;
• Resistant to corrosion;
• Low thermal conductivity;
• No plaque builds up on a smooth surface;
• High throughput of products;
• Assembly and installation can be done without any difficulty.

Polymer pipes can be used for about 30 years. High flow rates are characteristic of propylene pipes. Metal structures can become clogged over time.