Types of water pipes

Metal pipes

Steel tubes

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A robust and reliable option for water pipes.

In the city, water supply pipes of risers, heating radiators, and heated towel rails are installed using steel pipes.

Steel pipes are prone to corrosion, but this does not apply to stainless steel pipes or galvanized steel pipes.

Diameter: from 15 mm.

Application: in water supply, heating and sewerage systems.

Connection methods:

Steel pipes and stainless steel pipes: welded, threaded, flanged, and press fittings.

However, welding galvanized steel pipes can destroy the anti-corrosion layer.

Terms of operation:

Steel pipes - 30-40 years old;

Stainless steel pipes - up to 100 years old;

Galvanized steel pipes ~ 50 years;

Cast iron pipes

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These pipes are corrosion resistant, highly durable, resistant to temperature extremes and thermal expansion. Due to the peculiarity of the cast iron alloy, they are performed only with thick walls and a rough surface. Cast iron is a heavy metal.

Application: in water supply, heating and sewerage systems.

Connection method - coupling, with the help of gaskets and sockets.

Lifetime - up to 100 years.

Copper pipes

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Copper pipes withstand high pressure and are considered durable.

The high thermal conductivity of copper pipes in a hot water supply system in a room can replace an entire heating radiator. When laying pipes outdoors, thermal insulation is required.

There are two types of copper pipes:

  1. Annealed. This gives the pipes additional plasticity and ease of installation. But at the same time, their strength is lost. To bend pipes, you should use a "pipe bender" that bends the pipes without any kinks.

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  1. Unfired pipes are more robust but do not bend.

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The pipes are fastened to walls or ceilings using special clamps with rubber gaskets.

Application: In water supply systems, heating systems, for concreting into the floor, and also for laying inside walls.

Connection methods: high-temperature brazing using silver-bronze solder, threaded connection, flange connection, connection using press fittings.

Lifetime: 80-100 years old.

Non-metallic pipes

They have several varieties:

Polybutylene pipes

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They are made of elastic and heat-conducting material suitable for transporting hot water with temperatures up to +90 ° C.

Polybutylene rubbers tolerate low temperatures when the water is frozen inside. Resistant to corrosion.

These pipes are characterized by a slight susceptibility to fire, benzene intolerance. They cannot be painted.

Application: In water supply systems and low-temperature heating (underfloor heating system, radiator heating).

Connection methods: with a compression sleeve, metal crimp clamps, flange connection, threaded connection with a detachable sleeve.

Lifetime: over 50 years.

Polyethylene pipes (PE)

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Polyethylene is a corrosion-resistant material that does not burst when water freezes inside the pipe.

These pipes have a smooth surface inside; water passing through them does not leave oxide and deposits of impurities on the walls.

Without processing, polyethylene begins to melt at high temperatures close to the boiling point.

LDPE and HDPE pipes become brittle when exposed to direct sunlight.

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Application: for conducting gas, cold water supply in the house.

Connection methods: through fittings, by crimping, welding, and by means of a flange connection.

Lifetime: up to 50 years.

Low-pressure polyethylene pipes (HDPE)

In the manufacture of pipes, high-density polyethylene is used, obtained at low pressure.

These pipes have a high operating temperature, high rigidity, and resistance to chemical attack. Pipes break and deform from mechanical stress.

Application: in water supply, heating, sewerage systems, gas supply, drainage, electrical insulation, as well casing.

Connection methods: butt welding, with fittings, with a flange connection.

Lifetime: up to 50 years.

High-pressure polyethylene pipes (LDPE)

In the manufacture of pipes, low-density polyethylene obtained at high pressure is used. The manufactured products are flexible and resilient.

Pipes are not designed to transport liquids with temperatures above 80° C. They are lightweight, resistant to chemical and mechanical stress.

The allowable pressure value is 25 atmospheres.

Application: in water supply systems, sewers, as a protective case for power lines.

Connection methods: with fittings, welding.

Lifetime: over 50 years.

Cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipes

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Sewing is a process of complete processing of polyethylene.

There are several types of crosslinking: peroxide (PEX), silane (PEXb), crosslinking by an electron flow in an electromagnetic field (PEXc), and nitrogen crosslinking (PEXd).

Peroxide-sewn products are more suitable for heating systems (PEX); they are more durable and less thermoplastic.

XLPE pipes can resist direct sunlight.

Application: in water supply systems, sewerage systems, underfloor heating, low-temperature, radiator.

Connection methods: compression fittings, press fittings and electro welded compound.

Lifetime: 50 years.

Polypropylene pipes

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Similar to XLPE pipes. The most versatile type of polypropylene pipes is PP-R (written in the marking on the pipe itself). The pipe consists of three parts: an outer and inner polypropylene layer and a fiberglass layer.

Fastening pipes to the house walls is carried out using clamps by the pipe diameter.

Application: in water supply, heating and sewerage systems.

Connection methods: by welding, gluing, threaded connection, press fittings.

Lifetime: at a maximum coolant temperature of no more than 75 ° C and a pressure not exceeding six technical atmospheres, the system will last about 40-50 years, and sometimes more.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes

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This type of pipe is the most rigid. Of the advantages, it can be noted that PVC pipes do not burn, are resistant to sunlight, resistant to deformation, and resistant to chemical attack. Cons: they contain chlorine.

Application: in water supply, heating, sewerage systems for technological pipelines. Suitable for pumping aggressive liquids.

Connection methods: by welding, threaded connection, press fittings, flange connection.

Lifetime: depends on the operating conditions. 20 to 100 years old.

Metal-plastic pipes

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These pipes are used without any restrictions for heating systems, hot and cold water supply. Chemically invulnerable, sound-absorbing, withstand pressure up to 10 atmospheres.

They consist of three layers: between two layers of polymer, a thin layer of metal (most often aluminum), fixed with two layers of glue.

It is recommended to purchase pipes with an aluminum layer from 0.25 to 0.6 mm. A thicker layer gives the pipes rigidity and is not practical for installation. Pipes that include PEX cross-linked polyethylene or PE-RT polymer will last a long time.

Diameter pipes: from 16 to 40 mm.

Application: in water supply, heating and sewerage systems.

Connection methods: with fittings, and also welding, threaded connection, flange connection, using press fittings.

Lifetime: up to 50 years.

Flexible liners

In the water supply system

They are flexible polymer hoses in a metal braid with threaded connections at the ends.

The use of flexible hoses greatly facilitates installation and repair work. Flexible hose bends easily without breaking the integrity and ability to withstand a sufficiently high working pressure.

With the help of a flexible connection, water-folding devices (mixers, washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters, etc.) are connected.

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If there is red and blue in the braid, the flexible hose is universal and can be used both in the hot water supply system and in the cold water supply system. The blue color indicates that the liner is for cold water supply and red for hot water.

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Bellows flexible hose - a hose is consisting of a corrugated stainless steel sleeve. It has greater mechanical strength and operating temperature from -50 to + 240º ะก. At a cost - more expensive.

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Recommendations for the installation of flexible pipes:

  1. It is not recommended to overtighten the nuts and fittings;
  2. Do not pull, twist or bend the wiring;
  3. Observe after installation for water leaks;

Connection methods: with the help of a fitting, which is screwed into the connected device, or with the help of a union nut, which is screwed onto the end of a threaded pipe.

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Lifetime: up to 15 years old.

In the sewerage system

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It is used as drainage from plumbing fixtures into the sewerage system. The flexible hose is made of a plastic corrugated hose.

It is often installed with a bend to create a water seal to eliminate unpleasant odors.

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Lifetime: up to 15 years old.