Utility consisting of pipes and fixtures, used for the distribution of water, gas and sewage in the house is called plumbing. There are several pipes available in the market which have specific role and only someone who has a proper knowledge about these pipes can buy the right type of goods for the right job. Usually, during the plumbing process in the house or anywhere, there are professional plumbers who make the list of the types of pipes that are to be needed, so you don’t have to face the problem. Still it’s good to have some knowledge about the house plumbing pipes.

Firstly, the types of pipes used for waste disposal pluming is, cast iron pipes, PVC (poly vinyl chloride) pipes and chromed brass pipes. Cast iron is a large diameter, dull looking pipe with molted surface. This pipe is heavy and quite strong therefore cutting it is a difficult job, but it deadens the sound of the flowing material very well, so it is used, as not to spread the sound of the flowing waste. Moreover, this pipe is quite long lasting and resistant to corrosion. So if once installed, it can last some time, before it has to be either repaired or replace, it is mainly used for main sanitary lines, as large diameter allows it to carry large amount of waste. Second material in waste disposal is, PVC, it is a white rigid plastic pipe, and a standard waste pipe used in the home. It is easy to cut and fit, and it is resistant against the chemicals and heat. It is mainly used for sanitary waste lines, drain traps and to repair cast iron pipes. Third, type of pipe is chromed brass. It has a shiny appearance and is water resistant, it is used instead of PVC, where there are exposed drains, but it has a small diameter and can’t carry very large amount of material.

Pipes used for the water supply in the house are, chromed copper, galvanized iron, copper, CPVC (chlorinated poly vinyl chloride) and PEX (cross-linked poly-ethylene). Chromed copper is a bright shiny copper pipe with small diameter; it can be easily cut and does not corrode easily. This pipe is usually used where exposed water pipe lines are installed, like in a toilet tap etc. galvanized iron is a dull, rigid pipe, it was used in the homes, but now it is being replaced with copper pipes and PEX pipes, because this iron pipe used to corrode very quickly, so it is an outdated pipe now. Copper pipes are used for water supply in the home as a replacement to the galvanized iron pipes. CPVC is a dull plastic pipe, and it withstands high temperatures, so it is used to supply hot and cold water. PEX, is blue and red colored, flexible water pipe, can tolerate high temperatures and is quite strong, so is used for water supply and radiant heating pipe.

Thirdly, the pipe used for Gas supply is black iron pipe that is dull black, rigid pipe with very small diameter. It looks like galvanized iron pipes, but it has been designed specifically for gas only. It is used for natural gas or propane supply in home, for the kitchen, boiler and water heater.