Water pipes - what materials?

Water pipes supply drinking water to flats, houses and other buildings. Like other parts of the water supply network, they transport drinking water and must therefore meet a number of requirements. Pipes that are used in water supply systems are made of plastics and metals.

What requirements should water pipes meet?

To pipes could be used in external water supply networks or domestic water supply systemsmust meet a number of requirements. After all, transport is supposed to drinking water. Key features of water pipes include resistance to corrosion and scale deposits. They are in contact with water, so there is a real danger of rust. On the other hand, in order to avoid deposits in the pipes, their inner surface should be smooth. It is also important that water pipes are resistant to external factors and durable.

In addition, water pipes must meet other requirements if they are used in the external network, in the ground, in installations in buildings: in walls or ceilings. It is also important whether the medium is to be hot or cold water. Pipes are manufactured from the following materials:

• metals,
• plastics.

Plastic water pipes

The advantages of water pipes manufactured from plastic are that they are sustainable, lightweight, easy to handle, assemble and join, as well as resistant to limescale deposits. Temperature resistance plastic pipes depends on the material from which the pipe is manufactured. It is very important to take this into account if the pipe is to supply hot water to a tap or shower, for example. Plastic pipes are cheap. Fittings will be needed for their installation and connection. Water pipes are manufactured from the following plastics:

• PVC (polyvinyl chloride),
• PE (polyethylene),
• PE-X (cross-linked polyethylene),
• PB (polybutylene),
• PP (polypropylene).

Plastic water pipes are most commonly made from polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PE can even be lighter than PVC. Pipes for water mains are manufactured from two types of polyethylene: PE 80 and PE 100, which differ in strength. We recommend lightweight, strong and flexible PE pipes: water pipe 50×4.6 PE/PE100, water pipe 32×3.0 PE/PE100 and water pipe 125×7.4 PE/PE100.

Metal water pipes

Water supply systems and networks are also made of metal components. Most metal pipes can corrode if not properly protected. This also applies to copper pipes. Among the metals used for pipes and other plumbing components are:

• steel,
• copper,
• cast iron.

The water supply system, made of copper tubes, is relatively expensive. However, it has the advantage of being permanent and has bacteriostatic properties. Copper pipes are resistant to limescale deposits, as well as in most cases for corrosion (Corrosion can occur when copper combines with aluminium, steel, certain compounds in water or soft, i.e. acidic, water). Copper tubes are resistant to for high temperatures - can be used to supply hot water.

Cast iron is very good, a durable material used in water supply systemsThey are used especially in underground pipelines of external water supply systems. The best properties are cast iron ductile.

In the past, internal water supply systems and external water supply networks have also used steel tubes. Today however, this solution is being abandoned. One of the most important reasons is the susceptibility of steel to corrosion. Still, especially in older buildings, steel pipes can be found.

Pipe materials used in water supply systems and networks should have properties such as corrosion and sedimentation resistance, durability and resistance to external influences. Other properties should be selected according to the specific application of the pipe.