Basic knowledge about plumbing pipes is important, especially for homeowners. Even though you're not into a fix-it-yourself scenario and would always prefer professionals' help, getting to know your lines might be put to good use in the future. You can even help maintain your pipes, taking good care of it and being able to schedule plumbing maintenance whenever necessary.
Knowing your pipes makes it easier to communicate with a professional
plumber Newcastle and Lake Macquarie like Jet Blaster Man. You would know which line is broken and tell it to the plumber, so they would know what to do or what to bring.
So, here are seven plumbing pipes you should know about:
Galvanised Steel
This type is known for its durability and is often used in plumbing. Each pipe's end is threaded, so it becomes easier to connect one galvanised steel pipe to another.
Despite its sturdy structure, this type has been less used in new home constructions and is rarely recommended for homeowners who want to run new lines by themselves.
Flexible Copper
This pipe is commonly used for short runs. You usually use flexible copper tubing in refrigerators and water heaters. As the name implies, you can easily bend and form this wire. They are also easily cut with a hacksaw. A flexible copper pipe is for indoor use only as it can get too sensitive with high temperatures.
Rigid Copper
This type of pipe is usually used in water supply lines. You can use a hacksaw, special copper tube cutter, or Skilsaw to cut rigid copper tubes. Connecting this pipe to another may not be as easy as the galvanised steel. You might need the help of a professional like Jet Blaster Man to help you solder the rigid copper pipes together. What makes this pipe ideal for your water supply is its safety. It's not risky to the health of homeowners as compared to using PVC.
ABS
This has a structure similar to PVC, but its color is black. In fact, ABS is an older version of PVC. So, if ever you ran out of PVC yet need to do an urgent repair, ABS is the best alternative.
PEX
This pipe is exclusively used in the water supply. It comes in different colors and is known to be very flexible. It is easy to cut and join, making it ideal for first-time homeowners who want to do a little plumbing fix by themselves.
Cast Iron
Despite seeing less of this pipe in homes, its sturdy structure still proves its durability. You can rely on cast iron pipes for long-term use.
PVC
Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC pipes are commonly used for vents and drain lines. It has been the most used type in a household since it's simpler and lighter to work on. They are easy to install, and you can even put them together with a glue-type solvent. PVC also paves other uses aside from drainage. They are often used for stacks and not as supply pipes.
Now that you know the common plumbing pipes found in your home, you can easily determine which is which. If ever one of them gets broken and causes any plumbing problems, you can always contact highly experienced plumbers in Lake Macquarie and Newcastle like
Jet Blaster Man. Besides their in-depth knowledge about pipes, they are also known for their honesty, respect, and fair pricing.