Showing posts with label plastic piping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plastic piping. Show all posts
Monday, August 23, 2010
PEX Plumbing Grows in Popularity
Today’s New Plastic Piping Can Be a Smart Alternative to Traditional Plumbing Solutions!PEX piping is fast becoming one of the most widely used and affordable plumbing solutions on the market. PEX is an acronym for “cross-linked polyethylene”. It is a bendable, plastic plumbing pipe that was first developed in the 1960s but has become extremely popular in recent years for residential plumbing purposes.
PEX plumbing has many advantages over traditional plumbing and piping materials – including copper and other plastics. It is easy to install, more affordable than copper and other metals, and has a reputation for great performance. PEX pipe is made through a special chemical process that gives it great strength. PEX piping is able to withstand a wide temperature range – from sub-freezing temperatures up to 180 degrees F. PEX piping is also quieter than most traditional pipe systems. PEX connections are much simpler to make and don’t require soldering or gluing like fixed metal pipes. Plus, PEX pipes can bend around corners, reducing the need for joints – which is where most leaks and pipe failures occur.
PEX is a Great Value:
One of the biggest benefits of using PEX pipe in your home is the cost. From materials to installation, PEX is by far the most cost effective plumbing you can buy. The pipe itself is cheaper than other materials, and you’ll also save big on installation and labor costs because PEX comes in longer, flexible sections with fewer fixings. The light weight and easy fitting of PEX makes the entire installation process much shorter than traditional plumbing, so you can outfit your whole home with PEX in dramatically less time than it would take to re-plumb conventionally.
PEX Delivers Performance:
PEX pipe has so far proven more durable than traditional plumbing, too. There’s no need to worry about potable water delivery because the plastic is resistant to most of the chemicals commonly found in water systems. The smooth interior of the pipes means less corrosive build-up and mineral deposits to clog the plumbing over time. The flexible material resists freezing and bursting much better than traditional metal pipes.
PEX Provides Maintenance Savings:
The convenience of PEX installation carries over into maintenance, too. PEX is much easier to repair or replace if something goes wrong, speeding repairs and saving you money on what is often the most expensive part of plumbing repairs—hourly labor costs.
PEX Has Some Drawbacks:
The one drawback of PEX pipe is that it’s not appropriate for outdoor use. Though it does resist damage from freezing when installed indoors, it won’t stand up to harsher outdoor temperatures. UV light can also break down the plastic, which can lead to big problems.
PEX Myths Debunked:
Plastic plumbing was popular in home construction in the 1980s, and it had lots of problems. Some holdouts continue to insist that PEX plumbing hasn’t changed much in the past 30 years. This simply isn’t the case. Today’s PEX is made of completely different material and has been proven reliable and low-maintenance for many years. Plumbers all across the country use the new, innovative PEX time and again; its reputation these days is much different than that of plastic pipes in the past.
If you’d like to learn more about PEX plumbing, talk to a Horizon Services plumbing technician. You’ll be able to compare costs, get information about what installation will entail, and determine if PEX is right for your home. Chances are, no matter where you live or how your home’s plumbing is currently set up, installing PEX piping can help your plumbing system work more efficiently and can save you money on expensive plumbing service and maintenance costs.
More Plumbing Information from Horizon Services...
Monday, June 7, 2010
Are Plastic Pipes Right For Your Home?
Get the Lead Out...More Plumbing Contractors are Pushing Plastic Piping Than Ever Before!Remember that famous line from The Graduate? "I only have one word for you, Ben...plastics." These days, plastics has become THE WORD when it comes to pipe material for your home's plumbing, drain and sewer line systems.
We all know that lead pipes are bad. Thankfully, most new homes and remodeled plumbing systems now use alternatives including copper, bronze, and iron pipes. Plastic pipes are yet another option that is quickly gaining popularity with homeowners and plumbing contractors.
Plastic piping is versatile. They can be made virtually without joints, which means no leaks, easy installation, less maintenance, and fewer problems down the road.
Because it’s so adaptable, plastic plumbing is generally cheaper than other options and you can save significantly on labor and installation charges.
Extensive testing has proven that plastic is durable and hard-wearing, lasting a hundred years or more in some cases. Plastic pipes outperform copper and other metals by dozens of years.
As an environmentally responsible option, plastic pipes are well beyond any other material. They can be recycled or made from post-consumer content, which makes them a green choice for concerned homeowners.
So it’s clear that there are lots of advantages to using plastic pipes over metal or other pipe materials. But is plastic piping really the right choice for your home? To answer that question, it’s important to know a little bit about the different kinds of plastic pipes that are available.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) are the most popular choices for plastic plumbing pipes. PVC is that stiff, rigid white plastic that we’ve all seen in various applications, from furniture to toys. PVC pipe is made from a plastic and vinyl combination material. The pipes are durable, hard to damage, and long lasting. A PVC pipe does not rust, rot, or wear over time. For that reason, PVC piping is most commonly used in water systems, underground wiring, and sewer lines. PVC pipe can be glued together with a special chemical solvent or fused and melted together by heat.
CPVC pipes are similar to PVC pipes but they are manufactured with a special chlorination production process. CPVC pipes share most of the features and properties of standard PVC pipes, but with a few differences. CPVC generally offers greater chemical and heat resistance. Structurally, CPVC is more ductile than standard PVC, providing greater crush and corrosion resistance.
Polyethylene (PE) is a flexible plastic that can be bent and shaped into just about any configuration. This kind of pipe can be curved around corners, which eliminates the need for fittings and significantly reduces the risk of leaks. Sections of PE pipe are usually joined using clamps or are melted together using heat. PE is slightly translucent and colorless; it’s a popular choice for geothermal heating systems, sprinkler systems, and other kinds of water supply systems.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a hard black plastic pipe material that is similar to PVC, but generally cheaper. ABS is only appropriate for use in drainage lines and systems.
The growing popularity of plastic plumbing pipes has turned the head of many a plumbing contractor so it’s likely that yours will have an opinion about its use and appropriateness for your home. If plastic pipes are an option you’d like to consider, be sure to talk it over with your plumbing contractor. Only a trained professional can tell you if plastic is a smart way to go and should be able to give you more information about the types of plastic pipes that could work in your home.
If you have questions about whether plastic piping and pipe material are right for your home, contact Horizon Services. Our experienced plumbing, drain and sewer line professionals can give you a complete overview of plastic piping as well as other pipe material and help you make an informed decision.
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