The choice of pipe for water supply is inextricably linked with the material of its manufacture and price. For some consumers, the value for money option is better, for others - only the most effective products. You should not save on water pipes, as good technical parameters of the pipeline will become a guarantee of its long service life. Today, plastic water pipes have become widespread, different from metal mass advantages.
Plastic pipes are used for laying water and commercial purposes
Plastic pipes and their types
Different types of plastic pipes are used for water pipes:
- polyethylene;
- polyvinyl chloride;
- polypropylene;
- metal-plastic.
Visually, you can choose the right type of product by the color of the pipe or strip on it. Example, practical purpose of a blue pipe or with a strip of the same color - cold water supply, white - for hot water and heating system, red - the organization of underfloor heating, yellow - gas supply.
Plastic products are strong, easy, durable, elastic, do not affect the chemical composition of the liquid, flowing through them. They also have a low thermal conductivity and are easy to install and operate. Technical characteristics of plastic pipes for water supply are given in regulatory documents for products.
Of the disadvantages are a clear limitation on the temperature of the water produced, differences in the installation of different types of pipes, some difficulties of installation of fittings of plastic products of certain types.
Pipes for water supply are of different types and differ in technical characteristics and properties
They, which plastic pipe is better suited for hot water, depends on the specific conditions and operational requirements for communications. Which pipes to choose for cold water supply, depends on the method of laying the highway and other factors.
HDPE pipes for water supply
One of the types of plastic water pipes are low pressure polyethylene products. They are designed for different water supply systems, including drinking and drinking. HDPE is an environmentally friendly material, characteristics of which allow to maintain a significant temperature range without changing the insulating mechanical properties.
You can choose the appropriate size, based on the most popular options, which are shown in the table.
Table 1
| Diameter, mm | Pressure (atm) | Wall thickness, mm | Packing in m |
| twenty | Sixteen | 2,0 | bay 200 or 100 m |
| Twenty five | 12,5 | 2,0 | |
| Twenty five | Sixteen | 2,3 | |
| Thirty-two | Ten | 2,0 | |
| Thirty-two | 12,5 | 2,4 | |
| Fourty | Ten | 2,4 | |
| Fourty | 12,5 | 3,0 | |
| Fifty | Ten | 3,0 | |
| Fifty | 12,5 | 3,7 | |
| Sixty-three | Ten | 3,8 | |
| Sixty-three | 12,5 | 4,7 |
This plastic water pipe is not afraid of the harsh effects of ultraviolet rays, frost-resistant and has good flexibility. The last characteristic allows to reduce the number of fittings, which greatly simplifies and speeds up the process of installing a plastic pipeline.
HDPE pipes are easy to install, therefore popular
pay attention! The fewer joints the water supply has, the better its operational safety and reliability.
Technical parameters of a pipe allow to carry out installation at an air temperature to -20 ° C.
Polypropylene pipes for water
Polypropylene as a material fully meets the requirements of operational safety and environmental friendliness. It is used for pipelines for various purposes. Some polypropylene pipes have a guaranteed service life of up to one hundred years.
They are resistant to high temperatures, therefore it is rational to choose such plastic pipes for hot water supply. The coolant temperature can reach +75 ° C. Reinforced products can withstand significant internal pressure and water hammer. They consist of 3 layers: external and internal of polypropylene and intermediate of a mixture of polypropylene and fiberglass.
Fiberglass reinforcement is better, than aluminum, since such a pipe does not require stripping when welding with a fitting. It is cheaper, facilitates and speeds up installation. Pipe characteristics, reinforced with fiberglass, allow to work at the maximum admissible working pressure 25 atm (2,5 MPa) and the maximum operating temperature up to 95 ° C.
Polypropylene pipes are applicable for the installation of underground pipelines
Installation of polypropylene pipes
Polypropylene pipes are well suited for external water supply networks. The methods of connecting them are not complicated and expensive. You can choose fasteners with special fittings or diffuse welding. Both methods guarantee tightness. Required for installation:
- rotameter;
- fittings;
- shut-off valves;
- insulation.
Measurement and subsequent control of water flow on the inner surface of the water supply system . Fittings provide reliability and speed of coupling. The shut-off valve controls the flow of cold or hot water, and insulation protects the water supply from external influences.
A standard fitting with a brass sleeve is used to connect to the metal highways, which is pressed into it and has an external / internal thread.
pay attention! When welding plastic pipes for hot water from polypropylene seam is obtained, exceeding the body strength of the products themselves.
Depending on that, what technical parameters the material has, they can be applied in lines 10, 16 and 20 atmospheres.
Polypropylene pipes are connected by soldering, this will require a heating device - a special soldering iron
Metal-plastic and PVC pipes
Feature of PVC water pipes and those, intended for sewerage, is resistant to low temperatures and other climate changes. They belong to the type of pressure pipes. Because the product contains chloride, their use is not recommended for household tasks. Characteristics of PVC pipes are suitable for construction of water parks or pools.
Multilayer metal-plastic constructions can be used for hot or cold water supply. Inside and outside they have plastic layers, and in the middle - an aluminum shell. At small weight such pipes are strong enough. Buying products for hot water, it is necessary to choose white pipes.
Technical parameters of blue metal-plastic pipes determine their use for cold water supply with water temperature not higher 30 ° C.
The disadvantage of metal-plastic structures is the difference in the compression rates of aluminum and plastic during a sharp temperature jump. In the aluminum layer, this figure is faster, which significantly degrades the characteristics of the pipe joints in combination with high pressure.
Metal-plastic pipes are a multilayer product, the strength of which is due to the aluminum layer
Communications from cross-linked polyethylene
The cost of cross-linked polyethylene pipes, used for hot water, above, than from other materials. Manufacturers claim their significant durability - up to 100 years. Such products are characterized by increased flexibility. These characteristics allow to make installation of pipelines of big length without superfluous joints, and that, in turn, reduces the likelihood of leakage.
Pipes with a diameter from are issued 1,6 to 6,3 div. They are well suited for recirculation in the house of hot water. However, it should be borne in mind, that good technical performance of the material does not eliminate its shortcomings. Example, products cannot be used in places with high concentrations of sunlight, the use of adhesive insulation leads to premature aging of polyethylene.
pay attention! Pressing and compression fittings are used for installation of products from the sewed polyethylene.
Before, how to choose a plastic water supply pipe (cold or hot), it is necessary to evaluate the characteristics of the product especially carefully: dimensions, permissible pressure, temperature. Improperly selected pipes will fail quickly, and replacing them will inevitably cost time and money.