Transmission lines are the pipes that carry the water from the source to the storage system. Transmission lines are the largest, thickest pipes in the system. When planning a water system, try to keep the treatment and storage tanks close to the water source to reduce the cost of transmission lines.
Distribution pipes carry water out to the users. To protect water quality, water pipes must be at least 10 feet from sewer pipes and laid in separate trenches. The absolute minimum diameter for a distribution pipe is two inches. A six-inch diameter pipe is the minimum needed for serving fire hydrants.
Iron Pipe was used for a long time as a lower cost alternative to copper pipe. It does require special fittings and is corrodes faster than many other materials.
Wooden Pipes Hollowed out logs where used in Boston and Montreal in the 1800's. Sedona Arizona had wood pipes in use as late as the 1960's
For many centuries, lead was the favored material for water pipes, due to its malleability (as a matter of fact the word "plumbing" derives from the Latin word for lead). This was a source of lead-related health problems in the years before the health hazards of ingesting lead were fully understood; among these were stillbirths and high rates of infant mortality. Lead water pipes were still in common use in the early 20th century and remain in many households.
PEX is a cross-linked polyethylene. The material is more durable under chemical exposure, extreme temperature changes, and better resists creep deformation, therfore PEX is an excellent material for hot water and other applications.
Copper Pipes are widely used for potable water plumbing because of their corrosion resistance and safety. Plumbers who can install and repair copper are common. They are easy to work with because of it's malleability and fittings are easily soldered. Copper pipe has sometimes failed due to pinhole leaks a company called CuraFlo has made exceptional strides in rehabilitating copper pipe.
Galvanized Galvanized pipes will corrode over time. Galvanizing is done by the application of molten zinc to pre-formed steel pipes to provide a corrosion resistant coating. Many galvanized pipes in old buildings were manufactured using zinc that probably contained high levels of lead, which is a common impurity in the zinc. It was not until 1986 that the Wheatland Tube Company became the first galvanized pipe manufacturer to be certified to ANSI/NSF Standard 61 for its hot dip galvanized pipe. Galvanized pipes are still common in older homes and many commercial buildings. - 16747
Distribution pipes carry water out to the users. To protect water quality, water pipes must be at least 10 feet from sewer pipes and laid in separate trenches. The absolute minimum diameter for a distribution pipe is two inches. A six-inch diameter pipe is the minimum needed for serving fire hydrants.
Iron Pipe was used for a long time as a lower cost alternative to copper pipe. It does require special fittings and is corrodes faster than many other materials.
Wooden Pipes Hollowed out logs where used in Boston and Montreal in the 1800's. Sedona Arizona had wood pipes in use as late as the 1960's
For many centuries, lead was the favored material for water pipes, due to its malleability (as a matter of fact the word "plumbing" derives from the Latin word for lead). This was a source of lead-related health problems in the years before the health hazards of ingesting lead were fully understood; among these were stillbirths and high rates of infant mortality. Lead water pipes were still in common use in the early 20th century and remain in many households.
PEX is a cross-linked polyethylene. The material is more durable under chemical exposure, extreme temperature changes, and better resists creep deformation, therfore PEX is an excellent material for hot water and other applications.
Copper Pipes are widely used for potable water plumbing because of their corrosion resistance and safety. Plumbers who can install and repair copper are common. They are easy to work with because of it's malleability and fittings are easily soldered. Copper pipe has sometimes failed due to pinhole leaks a company called CuraFlo has made exceptional strides in rehabilitating copper pipe.
Galvanized Galvanized pipes will corrode over time. Galvanizing is done by the application of molten zinc to pre-formed steel pipes to provide a corrosion resistant coating. Many galvanized pipes in old buildings were manufactured using zinc that probably contained high levels of lead, which is a common impurity in the zinc. It was not until 1986 that the Wheatland Tube Company became the first galvanized pipe manufacturer to be certified to ANSI/NSF Standard 61 for its hot dip galvanized pipe. Galvanized pipes are still common in older homes and many commercial buildings. - 16747
About the Author:
Joe Joseph is a writer for leaky pipe a site about that stuborn leaky pipe. The site has information on home and plumbing maintenance
