Choosing Pipes for Your Home

Dec 21, 2018 | Blog

Are you thinking about upgrading the plumbing or building an addition in your Lakewood Ranch, Florida, home? There are a lot of choices out there. Here are some of the materials you should consider when choosing pipes for your home:

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride pipe is common in many newer homes. It’s inexpensive, and several different fittings and sizes are available. It can transport warm or cold water, doesn’t rust or corrode over time, and doesn’t require welding or metalwork.

However, PVC will warp when exposed to hot water, and could degrade if exposed to UV light from the sun. You should use PVC for underground or indoor applications. Keep it away from your washing machine, water heater and similar appliances. Most people use PVC pipes for drain lines and the main water supply running to the home.

CPVC

Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride pipe is made from PVC pipes. It has extra chlorine to keep it from degrading in hot water while making it safe for drinking water. Slightly more expensive than PVC pipe, CPVC isn’t resistant to freezing. However, it’s well-insulated, fire-resistant, and more flexible and quieter than metal pipes.

Copper

Copper piping is extremely durable. It can last for more than half a century. It’s resistant to heat and corrosion and safe to use with drinking water. Many homes have copper refrigerant lines for their HVAC systems as well. Since copper is one of the more expensive types of pipe, you should make sure that thieves can’t easily gain access to your plumbing.

PEX

PEX piping is very flexible, so you can have it installed around corners when needed. You can use it for hot water and in freezing conditions. But PEX isn’t durable enough to connect directly to your water heater. It’s usually attached with compression fittings, so this pipe works well in areas where glue could be dangerous because of low ventilation.

Air & Energy can help you choose the ideal type of piping for your home. For excellent plumbing service from our seasoned experts, call us anytime at 941-778-0773.

Image provided by Shutterstock

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