Pipe selection for water supply is inextricably linked with the material of its manufacture and price. For some consumers, the option of value for money is better suited, for others - only the most efficient products. Still, saving on water pipes is not worth it, since good technical parameters of the pipeline will guarantee its long life. Today they are very widespread plastic pipes for waterdifferent from metallic weight advantages.
Plastic pipes are used for laying water pipes for economic and technical purposes
Content
Plastic pipes and their types
Various types of plastic pipes are used for water pipes:
- polyethylene;
- polyvinyl chloride;
- polypropylene;
- metal-plastic.
Visually, you can select the appropriate type of product by the color of the pipe or strip on it. For example, the practical purpose of a blue pipe or with a strip of the same color is cold water inlet, white for hot water and heating systems, red for underfloor heating, and yellow for gas supply.
Plastic products are strong, light, durable, flexible, do not affect the chemical composition of the fluid flowing through them. They also have a low heat conductivity and are convenient to install and operate. Technical characteristics of plastic pipes for water supply given in the normative documents for the products.
Among the shortcomings, there is a clear limitation on the temperature of the conducted water, differences in the installation of various types of pipes, some difficulties in installing fittings for plastic products of certain types.
Pipes for water pipes come in different types and differ in technical characteristics and properties.
Which plastic pipe is best 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 line and other factors.
PND pipes for water supply
One of the varieties of plastic pipes for water is low-pressure polyethylene products. They are designed for various water supply systems, including drinking water. HDPE is an environmentally friendly material, the characteristics of which make it possible to withstand a significant temperature range without changing the insulating or mechanical properties.
You can choose the right size based on the most popular options, which are listed in the table.
Table 1
| Diameter in mm | Pressure (atm) | Wall thickness in mm | Packing in m |
| 20 | 16 | 2,0 | bay 200 or 100 m |
| 25 | 12,5 | 2,0 | |
| 25 | 16 | 2,3 | |
| 32 | 10 | 2,0 | |
| 32 | 12,5 | 2,4 | |
| 40 | 10 | 2,4 | |
| 40 | 12,5 | 3,0 | |
| 50 | 10 | 3,0 | |
| 50 | 12,5 | 3,7 | |
| 63 | 10 | 3,8 | |
| 63 | 12,5 | 4,7 |
Such a plastic water pipe is not afraid of the hard influence of ultraviolet rays, is frost-resistant and has good flexibility. The latter feature reduces the number of fittings, which greatly simplifies and speeds up the process. installation of plastic piping.
HDPE pipes are easy to install, so they are popular
Note! The fewer joints the water supply has, the better its operational safety and reliability.
The technical parameters of the pipe allow installation at temperatures up to -20 ° C.
Polypropylene pipes for water
Polypropylene as a material fully meets the requirements of operational safety and environmental friendliness. It is applicable 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, so it is rational to choose just such plastic pipes for hot water supply. In this case, the coolant temperature can reach +75 ° C. Reinforced products withstand significant internal pressure and water hammer. They consist of 3 layers: outer and inner of polypropylene and intermediate of a mixture of polypropylene and fiberglass.
Fiberglass reinforcement is better than aluminum, since such a pipe does not need to be stripped when welding with the fitting. It reduces the cost, facilitates and accelerates installation. The characteristics of the pipes reinforced with fiberglass make it possible to operate at a maximum permissible operating pressure of 25 atm (2.5 MPa) and a maximum working medium temperature of 95 ° C.
Polypropylene pipes are suitable for the installation of underground pipelines
Installation of pipes made of polypropylene
Polypropylene pipes are well suited for outdoor water networks. The methods for combining them are not complicated and costly. You can choose to mount using special fittings or diffuse welding. Both methods guarantee tightness. For installation are necessary:
- rotameter;
- fitting;
- shutoff valves;
- insulation.
Measurement and subsequent control of the water flow on the inner surface of the water supply system. Fittings provide reliability and quick grip. Shutoff valves control the flow of cold or hot water, and the insulation protects the water supply from external influences.
To connect to metal lines, a standard fitting with a brass sleeve is used, which is pressed into it and has an external / internal thread.
Note! When welding plastic pipes for hot water from polypropylene, a seam is obtained that exceeds the strength of the body of the products themselves.
Depending on what technical parameters the material has, they can be used in lines 10, 16 and 20 atmospheres.
Polypropylene pipes are connected by soldering, for this you need a heating device - a special soldering iron
Pipes, metal-plastic and PVC
Feature plumbing pvc pipes and those designed for sewage, is resistant to low temperatures and other climatic changes. They belong to the type of pressure pipes. Since chloride is part of the products, their use is not recommended for domestic purposes. Characteristics of PVC pipes are suitable for the construction of water parks or pools.
For hot or cold water supply, multilayer metal-plastic constructions can be used. Inside and outside they have plastic layers, and in the middle - an aluminum shell. With low weight, such pipes are quite durable. When buying products for hot water, you need to choose white pipes.
The technical parameters of the blue plastic pipes determine their use for cold water supply with a water temperature of no higher than 30 ° C.
The disadvantage of metal-plastic constructions 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 strength characteristics of the pipe joints in combination with high pressure.
Plastic pipes are a multilayer product, the strength of which is due to the aluminum layer
Cross-linked polyethylene communications
The cost of pipes made of cross-linked polyethylene used for hot water is higher than that of other materials. Manufacturers claim their impressive durability - up to 100 years. These products are characterized by increased flexibility.These characteristics allow installation of large-meter pipelines without unnecessary joints, and this, in turn, reduces the likelihood of leaks.
Pipes with diameters from 1.6 to 6.3 cm are available. They are well suited for recycling hot water in a house. However, it should be borne in mind that good technical performance of the material does not deprive of its shortcomings. For example, products can not be used in places of high concentration of sunlight, the use of adhesive for insulation leads to premature aging of polyethylene.
Note! For installation of products from cross-linked polyethylene, press-fit and compression fittings are used.
Before choosing a plastic pipe for water supply (cold or hot), it is necessary to carefully evaluate the characteristics of the product: dimensions, permissible pressure, temperature. Incorrectly selected pipes will quickly fail, and their replacement will entail an inevitable waste of time and money.
