Types of Pipes Used for Drinking Water

The main job of different types of water pipe is to transport drinking water safely to millions of people. The pipes for water are available in a variety of sizes from large diameters that has the ability to supply an entire town or a pipe with a smaller diameter that supplies a specific street or maybe a few buildings, or a very small diameter pipe that is located within an individual building. When it comes to choosing the best and most reliable water supply pipes, the choices are many! Take a stroll in the market, and you will be surprised to find so many different types of pipes in the market!  

What are drinking water pipes?  

As the name suggests, the main purpose of pipes for water supply is to securely distribute water in a locality, be it a residential area or a commercial area. The pipes are made from different types of material. Where to use a specific material depends on the usage of the piping system and on its purpose. The water needs to be treated before distribution or at the point of use (POU). In order to prevent recontamination of the water, good quality drinking water pipes should be used in a well-planned and designed water distribution network. Drinking water pipes carry water to your kitchen faucet and drain waste to your sewage system, which has evolved over time. 

 Different Types of Water Pipe –  

Selecting the right water pipe for your drinking water solution can be quite a confusing task as nowadays many options are easily available in the market.  Different materials are used in the water supply pipe to create more versatile pipes. Let us give you a brief introduction to the most used and famous pipe materials that are being used in different water supply processes:  

1. Galvanized steel or iron pipes –

Galvanized steel or iron pipes have been used for decades, as it is one of the oldest piping materials in the plumbing industry. The galvanized coating helps in keeping the water from corroding the pipe. Although it has several advantages, the popularity of galvanized steel is slowly declining. As it causes rust due to internal corrosion, the use of galvanized steel as a drinking water pipe cannot be preferred. When water corrodes and causes rusting of the pipes, it also leads to giving a bad taste and smell to the water. However, in big commercial areas, its use is still very popular in the water distribution network.   

2. Cast iron pipes –

As cast-iron pipes are heavy, they stand well in very high-water pressure, making them quite popular. lt stemmed from the fact that they are heat resistant and also reduce the sound of moving water. Since cast iron pipes are very heavy, transporting them from one place to another can be challenging. Also, due to their weight, they generally come in short lengths, which will increase the costs for layouts and assembling.  

3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes –

As they are super lightweight, it makes them an easy choice that can be handled easily. It can be transported easily, which reduces the installation costs and these pipes are non-corrosive. If PVC is exposed to ultraviolet light, it might cause physical damage to the pipe. Also, when such pipes are exposed to high temperatures, the material softens, which results in the deformation of the pipes. The PVC pipes are used in a wide variety of plumbing practices, including home or commercial building supply piping.   

4. Copper pipes –

The copper pipes don’t let chemicals get mixed into your drinking water. The copper pipes can tolerate extreme heat quite well and are also corrosion-resistant, making them a safe piping system for drinking water purposes. The pipes come in different thicknesses and sizes. But due to its price and the long labour required to install the pipes, it is not preferred by most builders.   

5. Cross-linked Polyethylene or PEX pipes –

As PEX is resistant to both hot and cold temperatures, therefore these pipes are commonly used in both hot as well as cold water lines. PEX is quite durable if compared to copper and can survive up to 50 years. The cost of PEX is comparatively low if compared to other pipes, and the transportation is also easy as it comes in long rolls of tubing that can be easily transported. The fitting and installation are very easy and take just a few minutes!   

6. Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC) pipes –

CPVC acts as an alternative to copper as it can be easily installed, and also it is low cost. This piping system is often used in many homes and commercial buildings for water piping purposes. CPVC pipes is also a safe option for fire suppression systems and sewer drainage. They can stand temperatures up to about 180 degrees Fahrenheit and are ideal for both hot and cold-water lines. Because of its durability, ability to resist corrosion, and also has a very high-temperature threshold, making it a very popular choice among builders. It is quite a safe choice when it comes to a drinking water pipe, as it won’t corrode easily, and the fitting process is quite quick. It effortlessly gets fitted anywhere.   

7. UPVC pipes –

The full form of UPVC pipes is Plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride. It is quite popular in the market as it improves the structural performance of components and buildings to a great extent. It offers better building performance, also ensuring that it has the capability to sustain unpredictable environmental conditions.  

Features to look out for while buying Drinking Water Supply Pipes:  

1. Smooth inner surface –

Good quality drinking water supply pipes must have a smooth inner surface that will act as a shield during times of frictional resistance. During transporting water, it helps to reduce the pressure and distribute water in the easiest manner and is also a safer choice. Choosing the right drinking water pipe is essential in order to have good health.   

2. Long-term service –

Everyone wants a piping system that is not only safe, but also should be able to provide a long service life. Water pipes should have the feature to endure hot temperatures as well as extreme cold temperatures without getting cracked. Pipe cracking will lead to water leaks. It should be strong enough to provide long-term services.  

3. Resistance to heat and cold –

Water piping systems are versatile and can be easily used in different industries, such as hospitals, hotels, and buildings. It must have a good heat resistance of 80 and above degrees Celsius. Even if it is installed in extremely cold weather, it should withstand cold temperatures without causing any cracks to the pipe. Whether you are staying in a hot or extremely cold area, the water piping system will swiftly do its job.  

4. It is of non-toxic nature –

Sometimes toxic chemicals get produced in the water that might act as a threat to our overall health. But a good fitting pipe made from harmless raw materials is always a better choice as it will not carry any toxic substance that will affect the health of people when they drink water from it. The installation of the piping system does not cause any pollution also, making it absolutely safe for the people and the environment!   

5. Better for the environment –

When better quality drinking water is made available to people, it means less use of bottled water and hence saying no to plastic bottles. Plastics are a big no-no for the environment, causing heavy damage to the environment! The higher the flow, high are the chances of getting more benefits to commercial and residential customers.  

Why is Topline Industries considered one of the best water pipes supply industries in India?  

The water crisis is a serious problem in India. It is not possible to survive without water. Water is a very useful and precious resource and should be properly used by each and every individual. In order to safeguard this precious resource, it is imperative to use such water pipes that bring water to the taps without any water contamination. Investing in a good water pipe is indeed very important. When it comes to picking a durable and good-quality drinking water pipe, you can totally put your trust in Topline Industries. Their drinking water pipes are durable and long-lasting, providing a good long-term service. It has the capacity to bear expansion and contraction of the surrounding soil, automatically increase or decrease its flow rates and pressure, and is non-toxic and totally safe for use. With new innovations being introduced in the market every day, we hope to see a better environment by providing a healthier and safer solution!  

Conclusion  

Since water pipes transport and carry one of the most valuable resources on the earth into our homes, workplaces and communities, so investing in a good pipeline should be on priority. Topline Industries’ water provides a simple way to benchmark your current practice and take a step up to the better choices available on the market today! Next time when you are thinking of installing water pipes, think no further than this industry. After all, a family’s safety and health come first! We hope this article will now help you to make easy decisions whenever you decide to purchase drinking water pipes! Stay healthy and hydrated!   

FAQ 

1. What are the different types of pipes commonly used in the drinking water supply? 

The most commonly used plumbing pipes in drinking water supply lines are copper, PVC, PEX, or UPVC.  

2. Does plumbing pipes vibrate? 

Pipes do vibrate, and that’s called the hammer effect. When the water supply gets switched off or turned off abruptly, it does result in a vibrating sound that can be heard throughout the area.