When designing or reconstructing a water supply system, the question arises: how to choose pipes. The modern industry offers a huge number of options, but what criteria should be considered with a certain option.
Initially, you should consider which types of pipes are offered, and which of them are the best for the water supply device. Typically, companies offer almost the same assortment, and it consists of several types of pipes used for water supply: plastic, metal, copper, steel, metal -plastic.
Chosen pipes based on the conditions of their use.
Pipes from copper
One of the effective water pipelines can be called a water supply from copper pipes. This is expensive material, but its appearance and long service life are undoubted advantages. The time of the service of such a water supply is determined by specialists up to 70 years. In addition, the system of copper pipes is resistant to deformation, withstands both low and high temperatures. The advantages of the copper pipe include the fact that copper, as material, interacting with chlorine, which is used in large quantities in the water supply network, does not form harmful compounds.
The disadvantages of the water pipeline from copper pipes are expensive material, costly installation (the ration is mainly used), it is not always possible to find pipes and components in stock. The installation of copper pipes is carried out only if the system provides a system of treatment filters. So, if the customer has the required amount of cash, the ability to find pipe from copper in stores and the corresponding shut -off valves, the desire to see a beautiful interior, then copper water supply will be the best choice. But the owner of the room does not always have funds for the installation of such a water supply system.
Metal -plastic pipes
Metal -plastic pipes are used to install a water supply in houses and apartments. They are a three -layer structure, which consists of an inner layer of polyethylene film, a layer of aluminum foil to strengthen the structure, and the third outer layer of polyethylene. All layers are interconnected by adhesive film. Such a water supply is easy to mount (to connect pipes to each other, it is enough to have a wrench and connecting couplings), withstands a high temperature, the duration of use is determined by a period of up to 35 years. The disadvantages of metal -plastic pipes are “fluidity” of the pipes at too high temperature, low strength of the compounds and the pipes themselves. Such a water supply is popular when used in summer cottages.
Steel pipes
In the recent past, steel pipes were often used to lay the water supply. The advantage of these pipes is a relatively low cost, strength and long life (with high -quality installation). Pipes withstand high temperature and pressure, which also belongs to the advantages of this type of pipes, but for a private house this property is not particularly relevant. Another plus is that specialized stores offer a wide selection of compatible shut -off valves (taps, valves, valves).
The disadvantages of the use of steel pipes include expensive installation, which can only be carried out by a specialist using special equipment. The connection of the parts is carried out either by a welding seam or on threaded joints. Such installation is not always possible to do it yourself. Moreover, the pipes tend to collect condensate, otherwise they “sweat”. As a disadvantage of the water supply from steel pipes, it is also necessary to note the deposition on the walls of the pipe of lime stone, which leads to internal clogging and gradual reduction of throughput capacity. Steel pipes are prone to rust.
Plastic pipes
For an apartment and home, a more suitable option would be the device of the water supply from plastic pipes. This type of pipes is popular in the construction of both internal and external water supply. These pipes include all the advantages of the above materials: durability, lightness and ease of installation, option of placement inside the walls, elasticity, low cost, independence from corrosion, aesthetic appearance.
Plastic pipes in their characteristics are divided into several types:
Polyethylene pipes (PE) are used mainly for external water supply systems, since the fluid temperature inside the pipe cannot be higher than +45 ° C. From polypropylene pipes, external watering systems or water transportation systems are mainly mounted. PE water supply retains strength when freezing, differs in elasticity.
Polyvinyl chloride pipes (PVC) are distinguished by a low cost and practicality of use. They retain the shape when heated to +85 ° C C. Installation is simple and performed using cold welding. PVC pipe has low thermal conductivity and is successfully used to install heat supply systems.
Polypropylene pipes (PP) are the most inexpensive and at the same time practical to use. It was widely used in systems of both cold and hot water supply, as well as for the installation of air ducts.
The disadvantage of plastic pipes is that dismantling is carried out only by cutting, since the connection of the pipes is not a threaded.