Learn about PVC plumbing Pipe for Your Home
Types of Plastic Pipe used in Home Plumbing
There are basically four types of plastic pipe used in home plumbing (check out http://plumbers-edmonton.ca) and some of their uses overlap but they all have specific jobs they work best at doing (also see Plumbers Edmonton).
- ABS – This was the first type of plumbing pipe that became available for home use. You will recognize it by it black color. These days it is mostly used for things like landscaping drains because when glued the connections often failed.
- PVC – this type of plastic pipe is usually grey or white in color and is the most popular type of plastic pipe to use for drain lines. Unlike its predecessor ABS, its connections are very strong and it can handle carrying high pressure water.
- CPVC – this cream colored type of pipe is very similar to PVC except it is much more resistant to heat. That is why it is the choice of many plumbers to use on hot and cold water supply lines.
- Pex – this is the only type of plastic pipe that is not glued together. It has unique fittings that are crimped onto this opaque hose using a special round clamp. You will see it used a lot on such things as outdoor water supply lines.
Glues and Primers
Here is where it gets confusing with plastic pipe. Each type of pipe has a special way it is glued together and there is usually a special type of glue to use with it. The confusing part is some glues can be used with more than one type of pipe and others can’t. PVC pipe and CVPC pipe are the closest in chemical makeup and it’s easy to use the wrong glues and primers when working with them.
Gluing plastic pipe fittings together is a three step process. It starts with a light sanding with fine sandpaper of the inside and outside of the two pieces of pipe you will glue together. Next you will use a special primer that will clean and further prepare the pipes surface. The final stage is gluing the two pieces of pipe together after putting the glue on BOTH pieces of pipe that will be joined. These glues are called solvent-cement because they melt the pipe a little bit and form a strong heat weld.
Working with plastic pipe when doing plumbing work around your home is much easier than working with metal pipe for sure.
