8 Best Plumbing Pipes for Indian Homes – Pros and Cons

Importance Of Plumbing Pipes

Plumbing pipes are very important item for any house or commercial buildings. Choosing the right plumbing pipes is important for safety and long time durability. Many types of pipes are used in plumbing. All pipes have their own advantages and disadvantages. Some of those pipes are pvc pipe,upvc ,pex,abs,cast iron ,gi pipes etc.

Table of Contents

Types of Pipe Used In Plumbing

1.PVC PIPES

PVC pipes (polyvinyl chloride) are the plumbing pipes mostly used in modern times. The speciality of this pipe is that it is very light in weight and is also very easy to install. PVC pipes are used everywhere, be it a house or a residential building.

Uses Of Pvc Pipes In Plumbing

.Water Supply

.Drainage systems

.Irrigation systems in gardens

Pros Of Pvc Pipes

.Light in weight: PVC pipes are light in weight and easy to install.

 

.Cost effective : PVC pipes are very cheap compared to other plumbing pipes.

 

.PVC pipes do not rust by corrosion.

Cons Of Pvc Pipes

.PVC pipes are not good for hot water.

.PVC pipes also not good for cold water because it may crack in cold water.

.Exposure in sunlight not good for PVC pipes because it weaken the pipes.

2.Copper pipes

Copper pipe is mainly of 4 types: K,L,M and DWV. These pipes are different from each other based on thickness. copper pipes are the hardest pipes used in plumbing. The uses of all types of copper pipes shown below:

Type k uses :

.Thickest walls : this type of pipe is most durable and pressure resistance.

.Applications : mainly used in underground installations and commercial buildings.

.these pipe is typically of green color.

Type L uses :

.Color-coded: Typically blue. 

.Thickness of this type pipes is good .

.These pipes offer balanced flexibility and durability.

Type M uses

.M type pipe is thinnest in all copper pipes.

.Color coded : typically red

.M type pipe are less durable than L and K .

.These pipe are light in weight and affordable.

.these plumbing pipes normally used in less pressure situation.

Type DWV uses

.Used in drainage and waste plumbing.

.Color-coded: Typically yellow or black. 

Plumbing Pipes

3.CPVC Pipes

Full form of CPVC pipe is Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride. These plumbing pipes mainly come in two types.

1.Schedule 40

2.Schedule 80

Schedule 40 – Thickness of these plumbing pipes is less then other one. These are used where pressure is not much like residential and commercial buildings.

Schedule 80 -thickness of these pipes is greater than schedule 40 pipes. These are mainly used in high pressure and temperatures.

Benefits of CPVC Plumbing Pipes

.Corrosion-Free: these pipes are corrosion free .

.Heat resistance: these pipes are do not have any effect of hot water.

.These pipes are cheaper than copper pipes.

.Durability of these pipes is good.

.Installation is also very easy of these plumbing pipes.

Uses Of CPVC Pipes:

.We can you these pipes in cold and hot water.

.We can use of these pipes in residential building and commercial building also.

4.PEX Pipes

The popularity of pex (cross-linked polyethylene) pipes is increasing these days because they are quite flexible and are used even in very cold places. These pipes come in different colors like red and blue. PEX plumbing pipes are best for  residential and commercial buildings.

Pros Of PEX Pipes

.Corrosion Resistant- these pipes are corrosion resistant. these pipes do not leak.

.Cost-Effective – these pipe are cheaper then copper pipes and required less fittings.

.Easy Installation – PEX pipes are easy to install.

Cons Of PEX Pipes

.PEX pipes deteriorate slowly in sunlight.

.We cannot recycle PEX pipes

5.ABS Pipes

ABS PIPE is made from thermoplastic resin called Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. ABS pipes are normally black in color. ABS pipes used in  low pressure situation.

Pros Of ABS Pipes

.Cheaper than copper pipes.

.Easy to install these pipes.

.Good for low temperature area.

.These pipes are tougher than PVC pipes and good for underground area.

Cons Of ABS Pipes

.ABS plumbing pipes are not good if you put them on direct sunlight.

.These pipes are rigid so we need to use more fittings for these pipes.

.These pipes are not good for hot water.

6.Cast Iron Pipes

Cast iron pipes are made of silicon, carbon and alloy of iron. We mainly use cast iron plumbing pipes for waste water. These pipes were used a lot during the early years. These pipes are very heavy and also get rusted quickly. But today whenever we use these pipes, an anti-rusting coating is applied on them due to which they do not get rusted quickly.

Pros Of Cast Iron Pipes

.Cast iron pipes can bear considerable load.

.Cast iron pipes can last a very long time, up to 100 years.

.Cast iron pipes are sound proof.

.Cast iron pipes are environment friendly as we can rust them.

Cons Of Cast Iron Pipes

.The rates of cast iron pipes are also quite high.

.Cast iron pipes are very heavy and are also quite difficult to install.

 

7.HDPE Pipes

HDPE Pipes in Plumbing is the future of flexible and durable piping. HDPE pipe made from high-density polyethylene plastic which is known for excellent resistance to corrosion, impact, and chemicals.hdpe pipes are mainly used in irrigation and sewerage system

Pros Of HDPE Pipes

.The HDPE pipes are very well jointed, hence there is no risk of leakage in the pipes.

.HDPE  pipes are made from materials that can be reused, so they are good for the environment.

.The maintenance cost of HDPE plumbing pipes is low.

Cons Of HDPE Pipes

.The initial cost of HDPE plumbing pipes is quite high.

.Skilled workers are required to install HDPE plumbing pipes.

.HDPE plumbing pipes are not suitable for hot water.

8.Galvanized Steel Pipe

Galvanized steel pipes were used for making houses till 1960. These pipes do not rust as they have a zinc coating on them. These pipes are still used for water supply in many houses.

Pros Of Galvanized Steel Pipes

.Strong and durable -these pipes are very strong and durable .lifespan of these pipes is almost 50 years.

.GS pipes are suitable for outer area because they do not rust in direct sunlight.

.GS pipes are fire resistance.

Cons Of Galvanizes Steel Pipes

.Galvanized steel pipes get rusted from inside over time, this is why it gradually gets mixed with water and pollutes the water which is why it can make us sick.

.Galvanized steel pipes are heavy, hence they are difficult to handle.

How To Choose Best Plumbing Pipes For Your Home

Whenever we choose plumbing pipes for our home, we have to check many parameters. We have given some examples of how you choose the right pipes for your home below:

1.Functionality

When it comes to choosing plumbing pipes for our home, we have to see how we have to use that pipe. Because the functionality of all pipes is different. Like PVC and CPVC pipes are good for hot and cold water. The flexibility of PEX pipe is good.

2.Space And Accessibility

When it comes to selecting pipes for our home, space also plays a very important role. We should choose the pipe after looking at the space of our home. If there is less space in our home, we can use PEX pipes because these pipes can be bent easily.

3.Water Pressure And Temperature

The capacity of all pipes to handle water pressure or temperature varies. CPVC and PEX pipes can handle hot and cold water. While galvanized steel pipes and copper pipes can handle high pressure, PVC pipes are not suitable for hot water.

4.DurabilityAnd Longevity

If we talk about durability then we should use copper pipes as we can use them for almost 50 years. If PEX and CPVC pipes are installed properly then these too can last for many years.

5.Budget Consideration

Whenever we renovate our house or build a new house, we have a budget for everything. PVC and PEX pipes are cheaper. Copper and GI pipes are expensive.

Conclusion

Whenever we have to buy plumbing pipes for our home or official building, we should keep in mind the upper diameters and then we have to choose the pipes.

Whenever we have to buy plumbing pipes for our home or official building, we should keep in mind the upper diameter boys and should choose the pipes after use.

FAQ

Which type of pipe is best for cold water ?

PVC pipes are good for cold water supply.

Which type of plumbing pipe is best for hot water ?

For hot water supply we considered CPVC pipe is the best.

Which type of pipe is cheaper ?

PVC pipes are the cheapest pipes.

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