Pipes for water supply and sewerage differ in materials of manufacture, strength, temperature, 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 apartment, so the fundamental principle will be the versatility and durability of the material, as well as the optimal diameter.
Criteria for choosing pipes for installation in the apartment
In almost all operating conditions, steel, cast-iron, brass, copper or bronze pipes can be installed. But they are not cheap, but they have a lot of weight.
In order for the water supply to function normally, it is necessary to consider which pipes are located on the floor above and below. If the neighbors have old cast-iron structures, it is easy to embed plastic. To do this, there are special fittings for the transition from one diameter to another.
It takes into account the pressure of water in the house. In a private plumbing system, it is possible to adjust the stable pressure, but in a city central network it can be different. With an average pressure of 4 bar, it varies from 2.5 to 7.5 bar. In such conditions, even gas boilers in people begin to flow, and pipes that are not designed for high pressure will break and flood the neighbors. If they have cast iron or steel, these materials will withstand, then the one who has 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 only be done by pressure and diameter. With centralized heating, the temperature of hot water 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 this mode 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 a diameter
What pipe diameter to choose for the water supply in the apartment depends on what is the total pressure in the central network. If it is less than the prescribed 4 bar, then the diameter should be larger so that water accumulates in the pipes and does not flow from the tap in a thin stream. The lower the pressure, the thicker the feed diameter should be. This also applies to city 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 located on the last or penultimate floor, 75 mm is also possible.
It matters what condition the entire trunk in the house is in. If pipes are clogged with rust or lime, very little water will flow into the apartment on the top floor, so a small diameter will not fully meet the needs of a family of several people. You have to constantly make stocks, which is very inconvenient.
Brief description of materials
In the past, cast iron and steel pipes were often used. Their common disadvantage is weight. For internal wiring, a smaller diameter will be required, so installation will be easier. If we are talking about a common riser, whose diameter is much larger, it will take effort. Steel products are connected by welding, so we need the services of professional welders who will not make holes in the metal, after which it will quickly collapse.Unfortunately, the inner walls of steel products are quickly covered with a coating of iron oxides or calcareous deposits, which over time reduces their throughput.
Cast iron pipes can be connected using couplings and fittings. New grades of cast iron have a smooth inner coating that does not contribute to lime or rust deposits, so they last longer. The material is resistant to low and high temperatures, as well as to their abrupt changes. Cast-iron pipes do not burst from short-term pressure surges - they are used even in urban pressure pipelines.
Copper or bronze for internal wiring are very high quality materials. Theoretically, the life of copper is about 300 years. It is not afraid of temperature changes, does not accumulate sediment inside, does not become thinner during operation. Copper plumbing contributes to the disinfection of liquids, so this water can be drunk without boiling. The material is expensive, so not every owner will allow himself to buy copper pipes.
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Other metals are also added to enhance product quality. For water supply networks, this material is suitable because of its flexibility and ductility. With its resistance to corrosion, brass is superior to steel, therefore it is more often used in construction.
Plastic pipes are best used for water supply in an apartment according to several indicators:
- low prices for materials;
- simplicity in installation;
- no need to buy expensive tools;
- any diameter can be selected;
- do not clog for a long time thanks to a smooth inner coating;
- variety of materials according to operating conditions.
From a huge range 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 above means that the material begins to deform and take on an irregular shape. Most suitable for systems where cold water circulates. Withstand pressure up to 25 bar.
Polypropylene is more resistant to high temperatures, but at low it has less resistance to shock loads. It is possible to damage the polypropylene pipe in the cold season, so they are additionally insulated. Pressure is maintained up to 10 bars.
Polyvinyl chloride 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 joining of materials. As a metal layer, aluminum foil is used, on both sides of which there is polyethylene. This type is suitable for both cold and hot water supply. They can be bent without risk of breaking.
What pipes are better to put in the apartment
In apartment conditions with independent heating, you can install any pipes - steel, cast iron, copper or brass, polymer - only plastic should 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. Plastic pipes are available in any supermarket, so choosing the right diameter is not difficult. Connect long segments with metal fittings and couplings.
