Plastic pipes for water supply: we analyze and evaluate the

Installation of plastic pipes for plumbing with their own hands is much easier than the assembly of metal structures. That is why polymer products are much more often used for self-laying communications.

In addition to simple installation of such structures, there are other advantages. Below we will talk about these features, as well as analyze the most popular varieties among those represented on the market.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of polymers

When deciding which plastic pipes are best for the plumbing, you need to keep in mind that almost all technopolymers have a common list of advantages:

• Synthetic materials are resistant to chemical influences, because they are almost not subject to corrosion.
• Considerable elasticity and inertness of the composition ensures minimal wear during operation, therefore, a properly mounted pipeline can last 50 years or more.

Note! This is true for pipes with cold water. As for hot water supply systems, the instruction recommends performing preventive maintenance or complete replacement of circuits at least once every 25 years.

• The low mass facilitates installation of the systems, in addition, the load on the supporting structures is reduced.
• The low thermal conductivity of the material facilitates its use in hot water supply systems (DHW): even with an open strip, the risk of burns will be minimal.
• Polymer walls have good sound insulation characteristics, so that the sound of water will not disturb others. Also reduce the loudness of noise contributes to a smooth inner surface on which no deposits are formed.

In addition, anyone who has ever wondered how much a plastic pipe for a water supply system can confirm: the choice of polymeric materials provides significant savings compared to metal products.

Weaknesses of plastic products

However, there are drawbacks to the designs from various technopolymers:

• First, according to the mechanical characteristics of such systems are inferior to the contours of steel. Plastic worse withstands shock loads, and during compression can be strongly deformed.
• Secondly, the resistance of the material to high temperatures is very limited. Typically, the upper limit is + 95⁰S: This is enough for domestic needs, but in industry it is sometimes necessary to transport more hot liquids.
• Finally, different types of plastic pipes for water supply involve the use of different technologies of installation. This greatly complicates the task in a situation where you need to join several contours of different materials.

Note! If you will do this docking yourself, we recommend that you look for universal adapters. Such products help to unite, for example, a metal-plastic contour with a polypropylene one: one output of the fitting is made under the press sleeve, and the other - under the soldering, etc.

However, despite the presence of flaws, polymer pipes are available for sale in a very extensive range. So below we will pay attention to the most popular varieties.

Overview of the main varieties

PVC

If, in search of the most economical solution, you take an interest in how much a meter of plastic pipe for a water supply system costs, then all other things being equal, the PVC pipe is likely to be the leader. For example, products for pressure contours with a cross section of 90 mm cost about 100 - 120 p / m pogm, which is quite acceptable even in a situation of limited budget.

The features of such pipes are as follows:

• First of all, Most often this material is used for arranging outdoor water-bearing sections. The chemical inertness of PVC and its good mechanical properties reliably protect the pipe from destruction under the influence of soil solutions and pressure.
• Secondly, after prolonged contact with water, polyvinyl chloride begins to release toxins. As a rule, their concentration is low, but in any case, a decrease in the quality of the liquid can be noted even without tests. That is why PVC is preferred to be used exclusively for technical plumbing.

Chemical welding is used to connect the products. It is also possible to use pipes in free-flow networks - then they are joined with the help of rubber cuffs installed in the sockets.

Polypropylene

Unlike polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene does not react with water, and therefore such parts can be safely used for drinking water supply. The limiting factor is the tendency to warp when heated: if the pipe itself withstands a brief temperature rise to 120⁰C, the fitting may lose tightness at 80-90⁰WITH.

Despite this, polypropylene pipes are very often used for laying internal networks.

Everything is explained by the simplicity of the device connections:

• For one-piece joining of the pipe and fitting, the technology of high-temperature plastic soldering is used. Having figured out how to solder polypropylene, you will be able to master the technology of very fast installation of plumbing circuits.
• This technique has an obvious advantage: a monolithic polymer layer is formed at the junction of the two parts, which ensures a high level of tightness. Accordingly, the risk of leakage here will be minimal.

Note! There is a welded method and a disadvantage: for repair or revision, you will have to cut the contour and then replace the damaged section. Unleash the fitting and reassemble it will not work!

Polyethylene

Marking plastic pipes for plumbing, made of polyethylene, often contains the abbreviations PE and PE-X.

What do they mean?

• Ordinary products made of polyethylene (PE) can be produced with both low and high pressure. The first type is actively used when laying highways, but at low temperatures it becomes brittle.
• High-pressure polyethylene (LDPE) is more stable, but it also quickly loses elasticity, especially when in contact with hot water.
• Recently, the so-called cross-linked polymer (PE-X) has been used as an alternative to conventional polyethylene. It is obtained by treating the molded parts with ultraviolet radiation, which optimizes the structure of the technopolymers molecules. Thanks to this treatment, PE-X pipes can withstand heat up to 95⁰WITH.

Note! PE - X can be used even in heating systems, as well as during installation of warm water floors.

Metal plastic

And yet, if you plan to equip the most durable and reliable plumbing, you should opt for metal plastic. Of course, the price of this material is slightly higher than the previous ones, but on a small scale (and you need only a few meters for a typical apartment) it is better not to save.

For metal-plastic pipes such features are characteristic:

• The structure of the product includes two layers of polymers, between which is located a thin aluminum foil. This design of the pipe wall provides not only strength, but also resistance to temperature extremes.

• MP-pipes bend well, so if you have certain skills you can lay out the contours with a minimum of connections. This is a very useful quality, since fittings for metal-plastic are expensive, and it is advisable to purchase a special tool for their installation.
• If properly installed, even in the DHW system, metal-plastic can last 50 years or more without repair. The only thing worth paying attention to is a pressure limitation, but from this point of view, problems are possible only when using the material in the heating system.

Conclusion

The low (compared to metal and ceramic constructions) cost of plastic pipes for plumbing largely determines their popularity. Of course, there are limitations to the use of some varieties of these products, but in general they are quite suitable for use not only in everyday life, but also in some industries.

You can learn more about the assortment and properties of pipes by viewing the video in this article.