What’s the difference between your average homeowner and a licensed plumber? Well, that would probably take hours to talk about, but what’s just one difference that pertains to the plumbing in your home? Plumbers know about the different kinds of piping material and homeowners generally don’t. While this type of information might not be important to a homeowner who has plumbing that’s in good shape, if any of you are struggling out there with bursting or leaking pipes and you think you need plumbing help, this information could save a lot of money.
The first step towards better plumbing is calling your local plumber in Doylestown, PA. Once that’s done, we implore you to keep reading down below to get a general sense of the types of piping materials that exist and how you might be able to make an informed decision when the time comes for pipe repair.
The Types of Pipes
No, this is not a rhyming book you can read to your kids, but we’re sure they’ll get a kick out of some of the silly pipe names that exist! Pipes come in all shapes and sizes, but most importantly, they vary in material. Think about the problems you’ve been dealing with in your plumbing system currently and keep those in mind when looking to have pipes replaced. If you’ve been handling corroding pipes, perhaps choosing a material that doesn’t corrode as easily might last you longer and keep you happier.
Copper Piping
When you walk into a home improvement store, the first thing you see in the plumbing section is probably copper piping. Copper has been around for a long time and it’s an incredibly useful material for plumbing. If you’re coming from having rusted, old galvanized steel plumbing, copper could be your next best bet. Copper is sturdy enough to last over 50 years, while being naturally resistant to bacteria and temperature changes, which makes it the ideal material for pipes that provide clean or hot water to your home. Keep in mind, however, that copper does cost considerably more than other piping materials.
PVC Piping
PVC, or Polyvinyl Chloride, is becoming a more and more affordable and effective option for piping material in the United States. Since it is essentially plastic, it is incredibly affordable and durable, able to handle high water pressure while lasting as long as copper piping, if not longer! If you’re looking at extensive plumbing repair throughout your home, PVC could be a great option since it is comprehensive, durable, and affordable. The biggest and most concerning issue to be aware of with PVC piping is that it does warp when exposed to heat, just like plastic containers in your kitchen. PVC is not meant to transport hot water.
Other Options
While these two options might be the most common piping materials we see, they’re not the only ones. From Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) to Cross-Linked Polyethylene (PEX) pipes, there exists a vast market for plumbing materials that have different pros and cons. Keep this information in mind when you hire our team for expert plumbing repair.
Call the pros at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling today!