The Best Pipe For The Job

by Alden Smith

Different applications call for different types of pipe.  Expense can be a big factor when building a new home and plumbing can change the price of the build, depending on the type of pipe used.  Pipe is versatile -- it can be used for any application from refrigerant lines to waste removal.  Knowing the best pipe for the job is essential for any plumber or do-it-yourself-er.  This article will focus on the different types of pipe and their applications.

Types Of Pipe

• Copper pipe, both rigid and flexible.
• PVC pipe
• Black iron pipe
• Galvanized pipe
• PEX
• CPVC pipe
• Kitec
• Polybutylene
• Poly
• CSST for gas
  

Each of these pipes has its own application, and in some cases one can be substituted for others.  Some, like polybutylene, have been discontinued. Other pipes, even though interchangeable, have different reactions to the fluid transmitted through them.  Let's look at each in detail.

Copper pipe is undoubtedly the choice of plumbers for main water supply lines, high pressure gas installations, and running water supply lines under sinks in bathroom and kitchen.  Coming in two types, rigid and flexible, it is a versatile material.  In some cases, water with a PH value of 6.5 or below can have an adverse effect on copper.  The instances of this happening are few and far between.

PVC pipe is another very versatile pipe.  It is preferred by many plumbers for applications such as drains, vents and waste removal.  It is lightweight and easy to install.  The price of PVC pipe compared to others is lower.  PVC is recyclable, and will last longer than the design life of a home. It is virtually indestructible under many conditions, including heavy loads placed on it when installed under ground.

Black iron pipe was used extensively in buildouts several decades ago.  It is heavy, hard to work with, and has been virtually replaced by PVC and copper.

Galvanized pipe like black iron pipe is not used in new builds any longer.  It had the disadvantage of building up mineral and corrosion deposits and causing low water pressure in the home.

PEX is relatively new to the building industry.  Used extensively in Europe for the past 35 years, it became popular in the United States in the 1980s.  It is versatile tubing, with the ability to withstand high and low water temperatures.

CPVC pipe is similar to PVC pipe. The composition is different, and it is used in applications where there is corrosive water.

Kitec is a relatively new pipe system that is a multipurpose pressure pipe.  Made from aluminum and laminated to interior and exterior layers of plastic, it is useful in applications beyond the scope of metal or PVC pipe alone.  It is non-corroding and resists most acids, salt solutions, alkalis, fats and oils.  It is often used in air conditioning systems because it can resist condensation.  Because of its flexibility, it works well in confined spaces.

Polybutylene is a soft, flexible pipe.  Most plumbers do not recommend it. There has been a class action suit, Cox Vs Shell Oil, over the use of this pipe.  According to research, people who have owned a mobile home or trailer with this type of pipe are eligible for certain financial relief if they have replaced a plumbing system that contained polybutylene.

Poly pipe is a soft plastic pipe that is used for cold water supplies.  It can crack with age, and stainless steel and galvanized couplings are suspect.

CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing) pipe is a corrugated pipe that is used for gas hookups.  It has replaced black iron pipe used for that purpose.  CSST consists of a continuous, flexible, stainless steel pipe with an exterior PVC covering.  It is produced in coils that are air-tested for leaks.  CSST is often run in homes with a distribution manifold to service more than one appliance.

CSST is not without controversy. It has been found to have been found to be susceptible to damage from arcing by direct or nearby lighting strikes.  There have been instances in California where homes have burned because of this.  A class action suite, Lovelis versus Titeflex, was settled in September 2007.  Plaintiffs in the suit claimed that CSST was a danger to their homes due to lightning strikes. CSST must be properly grounded in the home in any event.

For every plumbing job there are many alternatives of pipe and tubing available.  The design process should take into account the cost of specific tubing or pipe when the home is designed.  With the newer products today, plumbing has become an easy task that even the average do-it-yourself-er can handle.


Alden Smith is an award winning author and regular contributor to DoItYourself.com. He writes on a variety of subjects, and excels in research.