Plumbing pipes: types of structures and their diameters

Starting to repair the apartment, the first thing you need to take care of the replacement of plumbing pipes, especially in cases where housing is purchased in the secondary market. Installing a new communication system will avoid serious problems, because old plumbing can leak, delivering not only a lot of inconvenience to apartment dwellers, but also risking flooding the neighbors in case of a leak.

Plumbing pipes are a fairly wide range of products, differing in various parameters, for example, the material from which they are made, or the size, as well as additional elements used to fasten such connections.

A variety of plumbing pipes due to the various functions that should perform similar elements of the pipeline, because pipes for cold or hot water will differ in their characteristics from sewage counterparts.

For example, completely different demands are placed on communications for hot water than on cold water supply pipelines. For example, the material used for this type of plumbing should be well tolerated by prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

But on this variant of products, a raid is formed to a lesser extent on the inner side in comparison with the pipeline for cold water supply.

Plumbing pipes that are installed in the apartment, divided according to the specifics of use:

• for holding cold water;
• for the admission of hot water and the installation of heating systems;
• to create a sewer.

The following describes the features of each type of pipe.

Pipes for cold water should be installed in any apartment, because if the centralized supply of hot water can be exchanged for a boiler or a column for heating water, then it is impossible to replace the centralized supply of a cold spring.

The main material used for the production of pipes for cold water can be used:

• galvanized steel;
• stainless steel;
• copper;
• polymeric materials.

In the first embodiment, due to the zinc coating, the pipes are fully protected from damage. But if in some place this coating is damaged, then there will be a process of corrosion, and rust will gradually appear. Such problems are often identified at junctions and connections.

In no case is it recommended to use pipes made of non-galvanized steel for cold water supply., because it will be possible to observe the condensate constantly protruding on the surface of such a pipe, which will cause rust and wear. Moreover, from the inside, such a product quickly grows, as a result of which its lumen will decrease, and the water supply will be disrupted. Even if it is advised to paint such plumbing with paint, this will briefly correct the situation - rust will still appear very quickly, and the plumber will have to be changed.

Stainless steel is a more expensive option. Despite the greater complexity in the installation of this type of plumbing pipes, this option refers to the most durable and durable structures.

Copper is one of the noble metals. Copper pipes in their characteristics are significantly superior to steel counterparts. In the process of their use does not appear rust, besides, they differ in bactericidal action. The only thing you should pay attention to is that it is better to use similar plumbing equipment in combination with a plastic coating that will protect against condensation.

Polymer materials. Despite the large variety of plastic pipe options,they share similar qualities. The final choice will depend on the cost of products and features of a particular pipeline. Such communications today have almost replaced all metal counterparts, since a very wide range of requirements is being put forward for cold water supply, which even the most cost-effective types of plastic communications can handle.

Non-galvanized steel can be used for hot water and heating, since no condensate forms on such plumbing. But you need to be prepared for the fact that water must be constantly in the system. If the water is drained and air enters the system, then such plumbing pipes will quickly rust and become unusable.

A good option could be galvanized or stainless pipes, which do not have to be water.

Copper shows good performance, but this type of plumbing will be very expensive. In addition, you need to use additional insulation, which will also affect the final cost of the pipeline.

If the choice fell on polymer pipes, then the best option would be reinforced propyleneSince aluminum foil and fiberglass are present in this material, they provide polypropylene with the shape retention for an extended period of time. If preference is given to plastic pipes from another material, then you need to pay attention to the maximum temperature that they withstand.

One of the important advantages of plastic plumbing is ease of use, because over time in any pipeline a large number of layers are formed, which should be removed. In plastic versions the raid accumulates much longer. In addition, they are much easier to clean than metal products.

In some cases, the cost of such a material can be comparable to metal, therefore, before making a final decision, it is necessary to weigh all the pros and cons.

Cast iron or plastic is often used to create sewers. The first option perfectly tolerates the effects of aggressive substances.In addition, cast iron pipes are not so noisy, so they are most often used in apartments, which are located in high-rise buildings.

PVC products are no less popular for this type of plumbing. Their advantages include ease of installation, an expanded range of products, excellent characteristics during operation and a high threshold of resistance to aggressive environments.

Starting installation of pipes for sewerage, it is necessary to consider the level of the slope of the pipeline.

This value is determined by the diameter of the pipe:

• if the diameter of the pipe is 4-5 cm, then the slope is 3.5 cm per 1 meter of pipeline;
• for a diameter of 10-11 cm - 2 cm per 1 meter of pipeline;
• 11-15 cm - 1 cm per 1 meter of the pipeline;
• 20 cm and more - the slope is equal to 8 mm per 1 meter of the pipeline.

The diameter of the plumbing pipes, as well as their size will depend on certain requirements, which move to the water supply:

• operating pressure;
• temperature conditions;
• the number of devices that were connected.

Plumbing pipes of various sizes are used for various systems. When installing the pipeline for cold water, it is worth considering the probability of the overgrowth of the internal lumen of the pipe with bloom. The thinnest version includes copper products, whose thickness reaches 1.2 cm. They can be used in the apartment, which is additionally equipped with various filters for water purification. Pipes made of steel can also be installed, the thickness of which varies from 1.5 to 1.6 cm.

To install plumbing for hot water, you need to use the same size as in the first version. In the process of installing the heating system, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the diameter of the pipes should be increased. The minimum size of copper and steel pipes should be approximately 2 cm.Using polymer products, you need to increase the diameter to 25-32 mm. Too wide pipes with a diameter of 50 mm are not used in ordinary apartments - this is the prerogative of industrial enterprises.

Choosing the size of sewer pipes, it is necessary to consider the scope of their use:

• Products with a diameter of 5 to 10 cm are used to connect 1 or 2 devices, for example, a sink, washbasin, shower stall.
• Pipes with sizes ranging from 11 to 15 cm are used to connect several appliances that work simultaneously and a toilet. They are also mounted to create a vertical riser.
• A pipeline with a diameter of 15 to 20 cm is used to combine several plumbing fixtures and a toilet. Also pipes of such diameter are installed for general drainage.
• Options ranging in size from 20 to 30 cm are set up quite rarely, for example, in cases when it is necessary to connect sections between two water intakes.

Plastic plumbing, whose diameter is less than 50 mm, can only be used for installation in small sewers of the kitchen.

To create connections between different sections of plumbing pipes Various details are used:

• Coupling. This is the short part of the pipe containing the sockets on both sides. It is used to combine the two parts of one pipeline.
• Adapter. It is used to connect pipes of different diameters. There are 2 variants of such adapters: coaxial and eccentric.
• Tee. This fastening is necessary in cases when it is necessary to make a branch that will move away from the main sewer channel. For example, such a detail is used when independent wiring is carried out on the floors.

• Audit. It refers to the type of tees with the only difference - the output is closed with a special plug, and the branch itself is characterized by small sizes. This element is used when it is necessary to clean the drain if it is clogged.
• Cross. Used to create a branch. But unlike the tee, using this part you can make a more complex knot.
• Knee or retraction. Installed in case you need to create a turn in the pipeline.
• Check valve It is used to minimize the risk of an emergency.It protects the sewage system from the ingress of sewage back into the apartment if there is a malfunction or breakdown in the drainage system. Often, check valves are installed by the owners of the apartments, which are located on the lower floors in apartment buildings.

• Stub. It is used in the case when it is necessary to block the sewage system during the implementation of repair work.

Knowing these features and varieties of plumbing pipes, as well as their characteristics, you can easily get exactly the option that is ideal for an apartment.

On how to easily dock sewer pipes, see the following video. You will also find there other tips on laying sewage.