When you think of plumbing, you probably envision a series of pipes connected in a specific way so that water flows from the faucet in your kitchen sink to the toilet in your bathroom. But what are the different types of pipes used for different applications? In this article, we look at some of the most common types of plumbing pipes and their functions.- PVC Pipes - These are the most common pipes used for indoor plumbing. They are flexible and watertight; however, their chemical makeup can make them corrosive if they come into contact with certain chemicals.- Copper Pipes - These are used primarily for outdoor water supply and are relatively expensive. They are good for large-scale projects such as new homes and large renovations.- Cast Iron Pipes - These are used for outdoor and indoor water supply in residential and commercial buildings. They are heavy and can be difficult to install.- Galvanized Steel Pipes - These pipes are most commonly used for outdoor water supply. They are not as corrosion-resistant as copper pipes.- Black PVC Pipes - These are a variation of PVC pipes that are also used for indoor and outdoor plumbing. They are more expensive than standard PVC pipes.- Lead Pipes - These are rarely used for indoor or outdoor plumbing but are more common as water supply pipes in older buildings and water tanks. They are a poor choice for modern plumbing systems because they do not prevent microbial growth as easily as other pipes do.

Glossary of plumbing terms

As you read through this article, you may come across some unfamiliar plumbing terms. Here is a brief glossary of some essential plumbing terms.- Air Chamber: An air chamber is a section of pipe that is used to separate different sections of the same pipe. For example, in a house with a crawl space, the water supply pipe in the crawl space may be larger than the pipe coming from the main water supply in the house. In this case, the crawl space pipe will have an air chamber in it to make the pipe smaller and easier to fit in the crawl space.- Air Gap: An air gap is a length of pipe that connects a water supply pipe to a water appliance (such as a toilet or sink). The purpose of the air gap is to allow air to escape from the supply pipe into the appliance, so that water doesn't get trapped in the supply pipe.- Carbon Monoxide: Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can cause fatal poisoning if it is present in high enough quantities. It is produced in the burning of fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane, or gasoline. Carbon monoxide can enter a house through the plumbing system if the house is built near a gas line.- Corrosion: Corrosion is a gradual process in which a metal item (such as a pipe) is eaten away by chemicals in the water supply. Corrosion can be accelerated by a drop in water pressure or by water with high levels of minerals, such as hard water.- Cross Connection: A cross connection is when two different piping systems are connected. This can happen accidentally or maliciously, as an attempt to avoid cost or limit access to a certain part of the house.- Flow Restricted: Water that is flowing through a pipe at a certain rate is said to be in a flow-restricted state. This means that the pressure inside the pipe is lower than the pressure outside the pipe. When the inside of the pipe is depressurized, air bubbles enter the pipe. These bubbles can cause water hammer, which can be dangerous to anyone in the house who relies on those pipes for water supply.

Drainage Pipes

Water that is used in a house has two possible outcomes: It either goes down the drain or gets thrown up the kitchen sink. For this reason, many different pipes are used in homes. The following are some of the most common types of pipes in a typical house: - Drain Pipes: These are pipes that are installed under the floor of a bathroom, kitchen or laundry room. They usually lead to a sewer or septic tank.- Sink Pipes: Sink pipes are found in the kitchen, but they are usually connected directly to the main sewer pipe. These pipes are called waste pipes.- Vent Pipes: Vent pipes are used in bathrooms and kitchens, and they usually lead to a roof or crawlspace. These pipes are called stack pipes.

Waste Outlet Pipes

Waste outlet pipes are found in bathrooms and kitchens. They are part of the plumbing system known as the waste system. The waste outlet pipes are connected to a waste stack. The waste stack is usually a vertical pipe that drains into the sewage system, such as a septic tank or a sewer line.- Vent Pipes: Most kitchen and bathroom waste outlets are connected to vertical waste stacks. These vertical stacks are called vents because they are designed to allow air to escape from the sewage pipes. This reduces the pressure inside the pipes, which helps prevent water from building up inside the pipes as the sewage system is full of water.- Sludge Outlet Pipes: Sludge outlet pipes are used in large bathrooms and kitchens. They are also known as scum pipes. These pipes are used for removing the scum or sludge that forms in the bottom of a sewage tank.- Sump Pipes: Sump pipes are used in basements in homes and apartment buildings. They are used to keep water out of the ground floor of a building but allow it to rise to the first floor.

Conclusion

Plumbing is a very important part of a home. It helps ensure that water is always clean and available for use in the house. This article introduces you to the different types of plumbing pipes that are commonly used in modern homes. Knowing the functions of these pipes is essential if you want to maintain your home’s plumbing system.