Unsurprisingly, an important aspect of one’s plumbing system are the pipes. This is true for both residential and commercial purposes. After all, the pipes are responsible for essentially connecting everything all together. As we often say, it’s always worthwhile for homeowners and facility managers to have a general understanding of their plumbing system. At the very least, this will ensure you know what it looks like when you have a plumbing issue on your hands. In many cases, the longer you let a plumbing issue sit, the worse it ends up getting!
Now…since plumbing pipes are such an integral part of the overall operation of one’s plumbing system, you may wonder what details you should know about them? That’s what we’re planning on tackling with this week’s blog post. There are several different types of materials that have been used for plumbing pipes over the years. Some of these, like copper, have withstood the test of time and continue to be widely used in today’s world. Others, such as polybutylene and lead, were once quite popular, but have since been proven to not be nearly as effective as they once were thought to be. Nonetheless, those in the plumbing industry have always been searching for what works best, so change has undoubtedly taken place!
This will be our second part in this blog series. If you’re interested in checking out the first, which covered a few other materials used for plumbing pipes, feel free to click the link HERE. With that all being said, let’s now discuss a few more piping materials!
Cast Iron
We’ll get started today with a material that has been around for a few centuries and that is cast iron. Cast iron is a prime example of a material that was once extremely popular, but has since largely given way to PVC. The reason why cast iron was once used all over is fairly straightforward. Thanks to its durability and strength, it was seen as the perfect material for drain and sewer lines. And for the most part, this was very true! We even still run into some cast iron sewer lines today! If you’re interested in knowing how long cast iron pipes will last, most estimates will usually be over 50 years.
So…the question now becomes why have many construction companies and builders opted to go with PVC, as opposed to cast iron? One of the major reasons for this is the fact that PVC is simply much easier to work with in comparison to cast iron. Remember how I mentioned cast iron has lasted so long because of its strength and durability? Well, that’s definitely a plus as it helps in its ability to withstand the daily wear and tear, but it also means that the pipes can be quite heavy (thus making them quite difficult to work with). This is part of the reason why PVC has overtaken cast iron. Secondly, you’re also probably curious as to what causes cast iron pipes to fail? To answer this question, the two things you’ll want to look out for are corrosion and rusting. Over time, each of these can occur and eventually lead to your cast iron pipes failing!
PVC
Our next material which we’ll discuss is one that we briefly mentioned in the section above. Polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PVC, is pretty well-known and a material that most people are likely familiar with (in terms of how it looks as PVC pipes). While we’ll be focusing specifically on PVC’s usage in the plumbing industry, it’s actually used in a number of various other places too!
Nonetheless, as highlighted above, cast iron has largely been replaced in favor of PVC over the years. In that section, we discussed how cast iron pipes can be quite heavy to work with and are prone to corrosion too. With that being said, why have PVC pipes become the preferred choice? First off, let’s start by talking about where PVC pipes are used in a home’s plumbing system. In many cases, you’ll find PVC used as sewer or drain lines. Now…onto the advantages of PVC pipes. In contrast to cast iron pipes, PVC is actually much lighter, thus making it easier to work with. Less labor required means a more affordable installation price! Another attribute that we emphasize with all plumbing materials (whether that be fixtures, pipes or anything else) is durability. While no material will last forever, you do want something that will provide the best return on your investment, right? Well, with that being the case, you can rest assured knowing durability isn’t a question with PVC pipes.
Next on our list of qualities that you’ll want to look for with any plumbing component is the accessibility of repair parts. With faucets, this is a major reason why we always encourage homeowners to look for name brand faucets, as it will be easier to get your hands on repair parts if the need arises. In regards to PVC pipes, this same logic holds true, as it’s nice to have easy access to fittings or extra pipe if you happen to need some. Fortunately, you can find many of these at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s! All in all, there’s a lot to like about PVC plumbing pipes and it’s no surprise why they’ve become the preferred material for drain and sewer lines!
Lead
Thus far in this blog post, we’ve covered two well-known piping materials (although one of them, cast iron, is slowly being replaced by PVC). As we wrap up this blog post though, I would like to feature a material that was once widely used and has since been proven to have some deficiencies. This material is lead. Lead pipes were first used for plumbing purposes thousands of years ago. However, they were banned in 1986, although it is known there are still plenty of lead plumbing lines out there that had been installed prior to this act.
While you’ve possibly heard about the dangers of lead pipes on the news or internet, do you know why it’s recommended to replace lead pipes? The short answer is it can contaminate the water and make it harmful for anyone who consumes it. When the lead pipes start to experience corrosion, it can get into the drinking water and I’m sure you know how this could be troublesome!
Professional Plumbing Services in Kansas City
If you take a look throughout your basement or even under the sinks, you’ll likely notice a variety of different piping materials. Yes, several of your plumbing pipes won’t be readily visible, as they’re either in the ceiling, walls or underground, but there could very well be some that you can get eyes on somewhere in your home! In any case, the reason why we’ve chosen to write blog posts like the one you just read is because it definitely helps to know some of the pro’s and con’s associated with the various piping materials. While you may not have each of these installed in your home, knowing the estimated lifespans of each and what causes them to fail can be useful pieces of information!
Do you have a plumbing project that you’re needing help with? Whether it be clearing a clogged garbage disposal, re-piping a drain line, or anything else, we have you covered! To learn more, you’re welcome to give us a call at (816) 348-3481 or fill out the form HERE. We’ll plan to revisit this topic in a few weeks and take an inside look at a few more materials used for plumbing pipes.