There are a number of different types of plumbing pipes available today, all of which are either made out of plastic or metal. Some types are better for certain situations than others. The several types and their uses are detailed below.

Plastic Pipes

Polyvinyl Chloride

Most often known as PVC, this plastic pipe is normally white or gray and can only be used to carry cold water, as hot water will warp it. It’s often used as the main line into a home.

Creamy Plastic Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride

Used in place of copper, this yellow or beige piping has extra chlorine that makes it ideal for hot or cold water. More flexible than its cousin PVC, it shouldn’t be placed underground because it splits if it freezes.

Grey Plastic Polybutylene

Referred to as PB or Quest after the company that creates it, this piping is often sold in coils. It was very common at the end of the 1970s as an affordable replacement for copper. People no longer use it much because it turns out it leaks after a few years.

Cross-Linked Polyethylene

This is normally used for indoor plumbing, both for cold and hot water. It is one of the best plastic piping solutions for resisting heat, so it’s often used with water heaters.

High-Density Polyethylene

This is the best choice if you want your plumbing to last a long time. Not as affordable as other choices, it doesn’t corrode and can be used for almost anything, from water to compressed gas.

Metal Pipes

Copper

Still the best metal choice, this metal doesn’t corrode very easily and rarely leaks if set up and soldered correctly. Many people have turned to plastic as copper is very costly.

Stainless Steel

This piping is rarely used in homes because it is even more costly than copper. It is even more proof to corrosion, so it is often used to carry salt water at marine parks or research centers.

Galvanized Steel

These gray pipes are what the average individual sees in their mind when they think of plumbing, mostly because they were extensively used starting in the 1960s for outdoor applications. Because it corrodes very easily, most people have replaced their galvanized steel with copper or plastic pipes.

Cast Iron

This is rarely used in homes and is mostly used to drain water, not to carry drinking water. It is also very heavy, which discourages a lot of people from using it.

Black Iron

Many people mistake these pipes for plumbing, but this type of iron is only made for gas and not water.

Each type of pipe comes with advantages and disadvantages. If you need to replace piping in your home, you should use the same type if possible. If this isn’t possible or if you want to upgrade your pipes, replace them with something appropriate with the pipe you already have. While some types of pipes are more costly than others, cost should not be much of a factor since you want them to last for a very long time.

Know which type of plumbing pipe is best for your home. Avail the plumbing services of Ben Franklin Plumbing or you may also view their video to know more about their services.