Instead of time-consuming metal pipes commonly used a few years ago, today the preference is given to plastic water pipes. They are easy to use and have a long service life.
Types, advantages and disadvantages of plastic pipes for water supply
Depending on the functions selected products:
- polyethylene;
- polypropylene;
- of polihloridvinila;
- of polybutylene.
Products of blue or white with a blue stripe are used for cold water supply fittings. White products - for hot water or heating. To install underfloor heating products selected red. yellow used to ensure gas supply.
When selecting recorded structural properties determined by the chemical composition of the plastic.
of polybutylene
Have good thermal conductivity, the coolant temperature is kept to 90 degrees. Therefore, more often used for the installation of underfloor heating. They're malleable, susceptible to twisting and transported bays. Are connected using special welding.
polyethylene
Strength and elasticity, low electrical conductivity - the main building material quality of the polyethylene. Products produced with high and low density.
The high density is important when using the material for the cold water supply. Ideal for water supply in the country, since no damage when water freezes and can withstand temperatures down to 40 degrees. It does not change the characteristics when heated to 50 degrees due to high elasticity. Designed for an operating pressure of 2.5 to 16 atmospheres.
The disadvantages are considered low heat resistance and high coefficient of linear expansion.
Polyethylene is popular and is available in Europe, China, Turkey, from 16 mm to 1600 mm. Connect the sections, using special welding. For a 50 mm diameter is required industrial welding.
polyvinylchloride
Different rigidity. Do not respond to UV radiation and aggressive chemicals. It has a low specific weight. Good insulators. Able to withstand 6 to 46 atmospheres operating pressure. Produced with diameters ranging from 16 to 500 mm.
Use a cold water supply and heating systems, as they can withstand the temperature of the coolant in the range of 90 degrees. In order to apply such 16-50 mm pipe withstands 6 to 46 atmospheres the working fluid pressure.
Chlorine in their structure degrades performance since tap water saturates additional toxins. Not its best characterizes the active material and the possibility of fire and a light emission of harmful substances during combustion. This explains the fall in demand for this product.
Easy installation allows you to run your own water. Compounds produced by bonding clutches or corners with special connecting parts.
polypropylene
Marking polypropylene tubes depends on the chemical composition. They are not deformed by abrupt changes in temperature and water pressure. Therefore apply when mounted hot and cold water supply, heating and sewage system.
Available reinforced and reinforced polypropylene products are resistant to heat.
Are produced in two colors: white and gray. Choosing one or the other depends only on design preference. Aesthetic look white tube with white fittings and gray - with gray.
When choosing between the reinforced and unreinforced material is important to consider a large thermal elongation. In a non-reinforced material, its value is 150 mm to 10 m in length when the temperature difference is 100 degrees. Therefore, do all kinds of margins, the compensation loop.
Aluminum or fiberglass reinforced tubes are less subject to temperature changes. Reinforcement often do outdoor. Unsealed metal foil plate positioned under a thin outer layer of polypropylene.
By strength reinforced models have the same characteristic, but the product reinforced with glass fibers, comprises a smallest thermal elongation. Therefore, they are often used in the installation of heating and hot water supply
Produce goods and inner aluminum reinforcement. When this interlayer foil propylene divides into equal two parts. Are commercially available products, consisting of an inner polyethylene layer, a thin layer of aluminum foil and an outer layer of polypropylene.
Due to the transparency of the plastic parts it can be seen that a layer of foil is not solid, and with the holes on the surface, the distance between the joints.
Mounting
When assembling the product reinforced with aluminum, it is necessary to scrape the layer to input a length of the fitting, as it will not melt the polypropylene and the compound is of poor quality. This leads to additional costs for the acquisition of the peeling tool, time and effort, since the procedure is quite time consuming.
Installation of this material requires no additional skills. Inaccurate cut will lead to the ingress of water to the foil, causing any problems in the conduit system.
Suitable for cold water unreinforced. When installing the hot water supply or heating, the best choice would be glass fiber reinforced polypropylene material.
For heating and water supply using crosslinked polyethylene varieties. Manufactured with the use of special tubes methods are of high quality.
The advantages of XLPE:
- the ability to withstand low temperatures;
- the reliability of connection;
- inertia to chemical compounds and water.
Installation is carried out by means of compression fittings, which do not use the sealing rubber bands. Durability is achieved by a tight fitting compression tube.
Construction materials made of metal
plastic products are widely used. They appeared on the market not so long ago, but have found their niche and are popular.
This enhanced polyethylene products consists of five layers.
- The crosslinked polyethylene.
- The adhesive layer.
- Aluminum pipe with overlaps in the joint.
- Another adhesive layer.
- Crosslinked polyethylene - the outer layer.
Despite a number of positive properties, such as flexibility, ease of installation, cost, metal and plastic annoying drawback - the ability to flow when entering the high temperature water at a certain pressure.
Benefits
The cost of the material wins competition with peers, having a different composition. Universal plastic products used for indoor and outdoor plumbing.
Products used for more than 50 years. This has implications for sustainability. For the normal functioning do not require preventive maintenance or repair optional.
Plastic has a high thermal conductivity, so it is given preference when choosing the material for the heating installation in premises. The use of plastic ever lifted the issue of corrosion, which is solved only by the replacement.
The low weight makes it easy to transport the goods from plastic. Installation simplifies the work without the use of expensive equipment. Guarantees everyone the opportunity to change or reset the water and heat supply with their own hands.
The probability of an easy replacement in case of leaks resulting from improper handling. With a smooth inner surface which does not create conditions for the formation of limescale deposits, resulting in "overgrowing" pipe.
Disadvantages:
- must not be installed in fire facilities;
- allowable installation only for horizontal mounting;
If you select a high-quality material and carry out installation work, adhering to the necessary rules, the water system will serve you long and will always be in perfect condition.
How to choose
Taken into account when choosing a type of plastic and the operating conditions.
For domestic water supply or make better use of metal and plastic pipes, and fit for the exterior polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride.
It is necessary to take into account the quality of the water, its chemical composition and temperature. Also important is the length of the future route. The important role played by price pipe and accessories.
The store is desirable to ask the certificate of quality for the products, and if it does not give - do not make a purchase. Be sure to visually assess the quality of the product along the length: evenness, smoothness, absence of defects. Learn about the warranty that the manufacturer is ready to perform when identifying defects.
