|
|
| Type |
Ease of Working |
Water Flow Efficiency
Factor |
Fittings Needed |
Manner Usually Stocked |
Principal Uses |
Remarks |
|
|
| Copper-Hard
|
Easier to
work with than galvanized. |
High |
Solder
Connections. |
20 ft. rigid
lengths. Cut to size wanted |
Residential
water supply |
Most common
pipe sold |
|
|
| Copper-Soft
|
Easier to
work with than hard copper -bends readily by using a
bending tool. Measuring a job easier. |
High |
Solder
Connections, Flare Fittings |
2 wall
thicknesses: 'K' Thickest, 'L' Medium Coils usually
soft |
Residential
water supply |
Good for
remodeling. Often a smaller diameter will suffice
because of low friction coefficient |
|
|
CSST
Tubing-Flexible |
Easier than
soft copper because it can be bent without a tool.
Measuring job is easy |
Highest of all since there are no nipples, unions or
elbows. |
Compression
connections |
Coils |
Gas Supply
|
Used in lieu
of black pipe in new construction |
|
|
| Black pipe
(or galvanized) |
Has to be
threaded. More difficult to cut. Measurements for jobs
must be exact. |
Lower than copper because nipple unions reduce water
flow |
Screw on
connections |
Rigid lengths
up to 21 ft. Usually cut to size wanted |
Generally
found in older homes |
Recommended
if lines are in a location subject to impact |
|
|
| Plastic Pipe
|
Can be cut
with a saw or knife |
High |
Insert
couplings, clamps; also by cement |
Rigid,
semi-rigid-10 ft., 20 ft. lengths. Flexible |
For cold
water installations. Used for well, sump |
Lightest of
all; weighs about 1/8 of the weight of steel |
|
|
