How A Plumber Can Help With Choosing The Right Pipes | Hurst, TX
When it comes to plumbing one of the most important aspects of plumbing for any home or business is your choice of pipes. What pipes would a local Hurst, TX plumber recommend? That depends on many factors such as the age of the home or business if the project is a new build or a plumbing retrofit. There are a lot of choices when it comes to the water pipes and if you are unsure your trusted local plumber can assist you, but we will outline in this article the top three choices for pipes for your home or business.
When it comes time to choose a new pipe, the material you use is the biggest consideration to make. The material you use will affect the cost of your overall project for starters. Not all pipes are created equal, so the choice of material will affect your pipe’s durability and water quality. You should always speak with a professional before selecting which type of pipe to use in your project as there are tons of variables with each home or business to consider.
The choice you and your plumber make will not only affect the project’s total price, but also impact the water you use for bathing, drinking, cooking, and even gardening. Your choice of piping material will have long-term impacts on both you and your family. It is one choice you do not want to leave up to your contractor under any circumstance. You should always consult a local plumber versus taking the first suggestion your contractor has for pipe material choices.
You should choose a pipe for your home or business that is free of leaks, has a long life, and is easy to install. The easier a pipe is to install, the less expensive the project cost will be. You also want pipes that have little in the way of maintenance. There are three major types of pipe being used today, each has its own strengths. Let’s discuss the three types of pipes in use today and any downsides they may have as well as strengths. We will start our list with the least favorable pipe to the most favorable pipe type.
Copper Pipes
These pipes are the most expensive of the three we will be discussing today. They are however popular for both cold water and hot water pipes due to the fact that they are heat resistant. They are also resistant to corrosion which is a definite plus. Lastly, it is said that they have antimicrobial properties. The average cost-per-foot for copper piping ranges from $2.50 and $3.50, which is just a ballpark figure as copper prices fluctuate greatly due to market demand. On top of these pipes being more expensive to buy they are also more expensive to install, as it is a labor-intensive job to install copper pipes. Copper pipes sadly only have a lifespan of about 50 years before they need to be replaced. While copper pipes can be used both above ground and underground, if you choose to use copper pipes underground you will need to have sleeves installed due to copper being harmed by soil. One plus about copper piping is aesthetics, it is pleasing to the eye for exposed piping. Copper pipes are an attractive and colorful choice for any home. Another plus for copper pipes is the fact that they are easily recycled again when they need to be replaced. You should always consult with a plumber however before committing to copper pipes. Your local plumber such as Tioga Plumbing & Electric of Hurst, TX can guide you as to the best choice for pipes while taking in your home or business’s unique circumstances and your budget.
PVC Pipes
PVC pipes are inexpensive making these pipes a good choice for anyone on a tight budget. These pipes are also extremely long-lasting, they have a lifespan of up to 100 years. Not only that but they are also extremely durable, able to fight off corrosion. These pipes are also strong. These pipes have been proven to resist even acid waste for a period of 50 years. Since these pipes are lightweight they are easy to install, cutting down your labor costs. This type of pipe does not serve as a nutrient for bacterial growth, making this an excellent choice for drinking water. The one downside of these pipes is that they may contain dioxin, which is a toxic chemical, but this should not leak into your water supply at all. These pipes can be used for nearly everything including supply lines, drainage pipes, pools, spas, and irrigation piping. The downside is that PVC pipes tend to be used only for cold water pipes as the plastic tends to break down over time when exposed to hot water. This type of pipe does not rust or corrode, and repairing this type of pipe is easy and inexpensive. Always consult with your plumber before choosing this type of pipe however as it is not suitable for every home or business.
Pex Pipes
Pex pipes also known as Cross-linked polyethylene pipes are an upgrade from PVC. Unlike PVC , Pex can be used for both cold water and hot water supply lines. Much like PVC it is easy to install, some would argue that it is easier than PVC to install. One aspect that makes this pipe a favorite for your local plumber is that it is extremely flexible, meaning that it can easily go around corners and any obstructions it encounters. This choice of pipe is also very durable. Pex pipes have low corrosion too. While it does not freeze often you can be rest assured this pipe will not burst if you do get a sudden freeze as this material expands and contracts with utter ease. One downside to this pipe is that it cannot be directly connected to your water heater. A small section of copper piping is ideal to be connected to your water heater instead, then the Pex connected to the copper pipe.
If you need to repipe your home or are building a new home, call your expert plumber at Tioga Plumbing & Electric of Hurst, TX today. We can take care of all of your piping needs. We are also more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your existing piping or new piping.
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