What Kind Of Plumbing Pipes Should you Use In Oceanside?

Answer 1

PVC-pipes The very word, "Plumbing," is derived from the Latin word for lead which is "plumbum," but actual lead pipe is rapidly disappearing from usage. It has been replaced by other materials like iron, copper and plastic. Plastic happens to have many advantages over the other materials.

Is Plastic Really As Good As Other Options?

The answer is a resounding "yes" for many applications including hot and cold fresh running water as well as the removal of waste. It is important to comply with all local building codes (in Oceanside, CA and the surrounding areas) whenever choosing a material for plumbing and to check with a qualified plumbing expert to sure that the choice of material is appropriate for the intended purpose.

Many people are surprised to learn that plastic is often a greener choice when one considers the environmental impact of mining metals, the smelting of iron and the fact that newer plastics have long life spans and can still ultimately be recycled.

Also, plastic is lightweight which means that shipping it is less expensive. Another consideration when it comes to cost is that plastic pipes are generally very easy to handle, install and service, so labor costs can be substantially less.

Plastic pipe can also offer the advantages of being more flexible, requiring fewer joints and fittings, minimizing the risk of leaks and simply being easy to install. For the homeowner desiring to do some of their own plumbing without buying a whole truckload of tools, many jobs are now much simpler to do using plastic pipe. When hiring a pro to do many types of plumbing jobs using plastic, more of your money is going for the knowledge, skill and expertise of the plumber and less for back-breaking labor which is also time-consuming.

Which Plastic Pipe for Which Use?

Again, building codes can vary quite a bit from one place to another and your local code will determine which types of pipe are approved for which uses. The standard hard, white plastic type you see in hardware and big box stores comes in two primary varieties. Regular PVC is generally reserved for cold water usage, while CVPC can also be used for hot water. For drainage use only, the dark ABS pipe is a great alternative to other choices wherever it is permitted.

PEX is a type of tubing which can also be used for hot water and it offers superior advantages for the right applications. Not all PEX is created equal, so this is a product where you would want to be assured that the reputation of the supplier and the installer were both of high quality. Different types of PEX have different standards, limitations and applications so it is also important to be sure that the product has been properly handled and properly selected for the intended usage.

Because plastic pipe is becoming so popular, many areas are changing plumbing codes to reflect new standards and allow people to take advantage of the newer products and technologies. So, a project which may have once seemed too expensive or challenging to undertake may now seem like a much more reasonable prospect, especially if you have decided to ride out economic hard times by upgrading a current home or finding sensible ways to cut costs on a new one.