How do you really feel in regards to residential plumbing?

5 Main Types of Plumbing Pipes Used in Homes Whether hiring a plumber or taking on a do-it-yourself plumbing project, the experience can be confusing because of the choice of several types of plumbing pipes. Eventually, pipes' uses tend to blend together. Which type of pipe should be used for water supply, drainage, sewer, and even for the exterior? The answer is not as clear as it may have been in the past when the main pipes of choice were galvanized steel or cast-iron.     PEX Pipe PEX, or cross-linked polyethylene, pipe is one of the newest and most popular pipes to hit the plumbing market. PEX is used only to supply water. PEX is a pipe that is rigid enough to withstand the pressures of water supply but flexible enough to weave throughout walls, ceilings, basements, and crawlspaces. PEX has truly delivered water-supply plumbing into the hands of do-it-yourselfers and professional plumbers.   Pros

• Color-coded red for hot water and blue for cold water
• Highly flexible, with 90-degree curves possible
• Attaches with push-fit plumbing fittings, among other types
• Inexpensive
• Able to join with copper pipe
• Cuts easily

Cons

• Long-term capabilities untested
• May leak with push-fit plumbing fittings
• Cannot be recycled

    PVC Pipe PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, pipe is a drain or vent line type of plumbing pipe. PVC initially gained popularity because it was lighter and easier to work with than traditional galvanized steel pipe. PVC pipe is moderately easy to install and requires little more than a hacksaw and a miter box to cut. PVC glues together with solvents.   Pros

• Diameters clearly marked on the white surface of the pipe
• Inexpensive and can be used for long runs such as for irrigation
• Easier to work with than steel or copper

Cons

• The pipe cannot be unjoined and must be cut
• Glued pipes can be prone to leaking
• Degrades in sunlight

    Rigid Copper Pipe Rigid copper is often used for water supply lines within the home. Rigid copper is easily cut with a hacksaw or with a special copper tube cutter. The connection is a different matter, as it requires a practiced hand to solder copper pipe together. Rigid copper pipe is great for water supply because it does not come with any health risks.   Pros

• Though it is called rigid, this pipe can be slightly bent
• Handles heat well
• Stands up against intense pressures
• Easy to recycle and waste copper pipe even has monetary value

Cons

• Difficult for do-it-yourselfers to work with due to soldered connections
• Expensive
• Develops pinhole leaks
• Inside of pipe may eventually corrode and impede water flow

    ABS Pipe ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) pipe is mainly used as a vent and drain line. ABS pipe looks very much like PVC pipe, except that it is black and slightly softer.   Pros

• Stronger than PVC pipes
• Good for underground exterior use
• Works well in cold temperatures

Cons

• Often not permitted by building code
• Warps and deforms at certain temperatures

    Flexible Copper Pipe Flexible copper pipe or tubing is used for final runs to water heaters, refrigerators, and some sinks. Flexible copper is used only for short runs and can be cut with ease with a hacksaw. It can be bent to fit around corners.   Pros

• Fits in tight, unusually shaped areas
• High heat tolerance

Cons

• Expensive
• Thin and prone to breaking

    Galvanized Steel Pipe and Cast Iron Two additional types of pipe are sometimes found in older homes and are infrequently installed, especially by do-it-yourselfers: steel and cast iron pipe.   Galvanized steel pipe was used for decades for drainage, water supply, gas supply, and any number of other purposes. While galvanized steel pipe is still around (particularly for gas supply) it is far less used and is never used for water supply in new construction or remodel projects. Each end of the pipe is threaded, and individual pipes are screwed into each other with connecting joints.   Cast iron pipe was often used for sewer and other drainage purposes. Cast iron pipe is still found in many homes. Cast iron pipe is viable until the point that it rusts completely through. Cast iron is very heavy and difficult to cut. Retrofits tend to replace cast iron pipe with rigid plastic pipes such as ABS.   Pros

• Galvanized steel pipe has the advantage of being extremely strong.

Cons

• Galvanized steel pipe eventually corrodes and blocks water flow.
• Some galvanized steel pipe may pass lead into the water supply.

https://www.thespruce.com/basic-types-of-plumbing-pipes-1822487

Plumbing Heating Maintenance Contractor Near By

There are two things that come into your thoughts when plumbing work is required. Is professional help needed, or should you simply do it yourself? Any time you need a plumbing professionalprofessional plumber, call us plumber

If gas is involved, it's a much better plan to ask for a heating expert. Someone certified to work on natural gas appliances know the procedures, and if an inspector is called it will probably pass. If you do it on your own though would you contact the inspector? In case you feel uncomfortable with the issue, then it is strongly recommended to call a few plumbing companies for an estimate.

Locating Local Plumbing Providers

Open your local papers and you might locate these plumbers marketed as they tend to work near their home. As usual, they can be found via social media aside from the Yellow Pages where they are listed. Key terms such as “plumbing” or “plumber” included with your local area for instance “plumber Vancouver” can be utilized in searching online. Try to find a well-designed site, mainly because that plumbing company wants to be percieved as professional and you will feel much more comfortable.

Inquire about Call-Out Fees

Once you have contacted a plumber, the majority of them generally give you a quotation for a specific job. If they arrive in person anticipate a "call-out fee" if you decide against getting the guy. Plumbers do not like that charge but would rather focus on the work asked. Simply because it’s a normal practice among them given that manpower is involved.

Nearly all plumbing is built to last and does not need fixing that frequently, so when you do have to get a plumber take a look at their qualifications. Ask the service provider not to send an apprentice so they can send the most experienced of them all.

Simple Maintenance

There’s nothing bad in inquiring. Ask the plumbing technician what needs to be done to lengthen the life of hot water tank or your furnace. There are several easy things you should be aware of like how often to change the filter on your furnace, or if you would benefit from a much better air filter system.. In case you have radiant heat that has its own schedule for upkeep. In any situation, you’ll benefit from knowing a good schedule for routine maintenance on those major appliances.

The suggested schedule to check a gas furnace is every two years. You could also extend the life by checking the water tank as well.

Shamrocks Plumbing and Heating
1325 Elwyn Rd, Kelowna BC, V1X 5M9
Ph: (250) 575-8138