What are the different types of pipes?

Plumbing is used in residential houses, commercial establishments and industrial factories. Without them, people would have to collect their water every day. Since the invention of piping, the material used for piping has been an important factor.

Today there are many types of plumbing pipe – some old classics and some made from newer materials. The most commonly available pipes are copper, PVC, CPVC, PEX, galvanized steel pipe, etc.

Here are some of the different types of pipe used for plumbing work:

copper pipes
Copper pipe is the most widely used rigid pipe for water supply in residential and commercial applications. There are two main types of copper tubing that can be used together to outfit an entire plumbing system – rigid and flexible copper tubing.

PVC pipes
Polyvinyl chloride, better known as PVC, has become a popular choice for plumbing tubing in recent years. PVC pipes can be used in water supply or drainage. It does not alter the water quality as it is not affected by rust. PVC pipes are versatile and can be used indoors, outdoors and underground.

PVC pipes
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, abbreviated CPVC, is closely related to PVC and also has similar uses. The added chlorine makes the plastic harder and more durable than PVC. CPVC can withstand hot liquids up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit but is more expensive than PVC.

Galvanized steel tubes
Galvanized steel pipe was originally introduced as an alternative to lead pipe. The steel tubes are coated with a layer of zinc to prevent rusting. It was generally used for drain, waste, and vent lines prior to the 1980s. Today, galvanized steel is common in gas lines. The ends of the tubes are threaded so they can be screwed into one another.