Pipes for water supply and sewerage differ in materials of manufacture, strength, temperature regime, pressure resistance. There are many types of water pipes for an apartment, from which you can make internal wiring. Most often, pipes have to be changed in old houses and only in their own apartment, so the versatility and durability of the material, as well as the optimal diameter, will be the fundamental principle.
Criteria for choosing pipes for installation in an apartment
Steel, cast iron, brass, copper or bronze pipes can be installed in almost any operating conditions. But they are not cheap, and they are heavy.
In order for the water supply to function normally, it is necessary to take into account which pipes are located on the floor above and below. If the neighbors have old cast-iron structures, you can easily embed the plastic. For this, there are special fittings for changing from one diameter to another.
It is taken into account the pressure of the water in the house. In a private plumbing system, a stable pressure can be adjusted, but in an urban central network, it may be different. With an average pressure of 4 bar, it varies from 2.5 to 7.5 bar. In such conditions, even people’s gas boilers begin to leak, and pipes that are not designed for high pressure will break and flood their neighbors. If they have cast iron or steel, these materials will withstand, then the one who incorrectly calculated the load or saved on materials will have to pay for the damage.
If only cold water is supplied to the system, the calculation can be done only by pressure and diameter. With centralized heating, the hot water temperature also fluctuates, so for long-term operation it is better to provide all options. This can be a short-term injection of boiling water with a temperature of up to 90 degrees, so the material must withstand such a regime and not melt. Then a sharp influx of cold water, and this is a sharp change in temperature.
For an apartment that is connected to city networks of cold and hot water, it is necessary to select the most durable products for organizing internal piping.
How to choose the diameter
What pipe diameter to choose for plumbing in an apartment depends on the total pressure in the central network. If it is less than the prescribed 4 bar, then the diameter must be larger so that water accumulates in the pipes and does not flow from the tap in a thin stream. The lower the head, the thicker the supply diameter should be. This also applies to urban networks.
For example, it is planned to install pipes with a diameter of 20 mm for internal wiring, but at the same time the pressure in the whole house rarely rises to 3 bar, then it is better to choose a diameter of 50 mm. If the apartment is on the last or penultimate floor, 75 mm is possible.
It matters in what condition the entire highway in the house is. If the pipes are clogged with rust or lime, very little water will flow into the apartment on the top floor, so the small diameter will not fully meet the needs of a family of several people. You will have to constantly make stocks, which is very inconvenient.
Brief characteristics of materials
Previously, cast iron and steel pipes were often used. Their common disadvantage is weight. For internal routing, a smaller diameter is required, so installation will be easier. If we are talking about a common riser, the diameter of which is much larger, efforts will be required.Steel products are connected by welding, so the services of professional welders are needed who will not make holes in the metal, after which it will quickly collapse. Unfortunately, the inner walls of steel products quickly become coated with iron oxide or lime deposits, which over time reduces their throughput.
Cast iron pipes can be connected using couplings and fittings. Newer cast iron grades have a smooth inner coating that does not promote limescale or rust deposits, so they last longer. The material is resistant to low and high temperatures, as well as to their sudden changes. Cast iron pipes do not burst from short-term pressure surges - they are used even in urban pressure lines.
Copper or bronze for internal wiring are very high quality materials. The theoretical lifespan of copper is about 300 years. It is not afraid of temperature changes, does not accumulate sediment inside, and does not become thinner during operation. Copper plumbing contributes to the disinfection of the liquid, so this water can be drunk without boiling. The material is expensive, so not every owner will afford to buy copper pipes.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Other metals are also added to enhance the quality of the products. This material is suitable for water supply networks due to its flexibility and ductility. Brass surpasses steel in its resistance to corrosion, therefore it is more often used in construction.
It is better to use plastic pipes for water supply in an apartment according to several indicators:
- low prices for materials;
- ease of installation;
- no need to buy expensive tools;
- any diameter can be selected;
- do not clog up for a long time due to the smooth inner coating;
- variety of materials for operating conditions.
From a huge assortment of plastic products, you need to choose those that will meet the operating conditions - temperature, pressure, pressure in the house. There are metal-plastic, polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC products.
Polyethylene is placed where the temperature of the liquid does not exceed 40 degrees. A temperature higher means that the material begins to deform and take on an irregular shape. Most suitable for systems where cold water is circulated. Withstand pressures up to 25 bar.
Polypropylene is more resistant to high temperatures, but at low temperatures it has less resistance to shock loads. It is possible to damage the polypropylene pipe in the cold season, so they are additionally insulated. The pressure is maintained up to 10 bar.
PVC is also afraid of high temperatures. The maximum threshold is 45 degrees, they are installed on cold water supply systems.
Metal-plastic products combine the advantages of metal and polymers. They are made by layer-by-layer connection of materials. Aluminum foil with polyethylene on both sides is used as a metal layer. This type is suitable for both cold and hot water supply. They can be bent without the risk of breaking.
What pipes are better to put in the apartment
In apartment conditions with autonomous heating, you can install any pipes - steel, cast iron, copper or brass, polymer - only plastic ones need to be hidden from direct sunlight. If the heating is central, then metal-plastic products are suitable for hot and cold liquids. They are not afraid of temperature changes, they do not accumulate sediment on the inner walls, so the system will work for a long time without the need to change or clean the line. Reinforced-plastic pipes are available in any supermarket, so choosing the right diameter is not difficult. Connect long sections using metal fittings and couplings.
