What Is Better for Plumbing: PVC or PEX?
PEX and PVC are two types of modern plastic plumbing pipes that have a variety of applications. Both materials are used to carry water within a house, but each type of pipe is designed for specific uses; the best one for you depends on a variety of factors. Does this Spark an idea?
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About PVC
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Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most common construction materials used. The thermoplastic polymer of vinyl was developed in the 1920s as an injection-molded plastic. PVC pipes are ridged, resist corrosion and insulate liquids with a high level of efficiency. PVC plastic is less expensive to manufacture than other plastics or metal pipes, making it one of the least expensive forms of plumbing pipes.
About PEX
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The scientific term for PEX is crosslinked polyethylene. The name refers to a chemical reaction between polyethylene polymer chains. This process makes PEX pipes highly resistant to cracking, cold temperatures and brittleness. But PEX pipe remains flexible, making it highly useful for plumbing inside a home. PEX pipes were introduced in the early 1980s and have become popular replacements for copper and other metal pipes. PEX is less expensive to manufacture than metal pipes, which brings the retail price of PEX plumbing down to about half the cost of copper piping.
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Uses for PVC
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Because PVC pipes resist corrosion, they are frequently used in drainage and waste systems. PVC is also the most commonly type of pipe used in residential sprinkler systems. However, many volatile chemical compounds (VOCs) are used to manufacture PVC pipe, making it unfit for conveying potable, or drinkable, water. Some specialized PVC pipes may be used for carrying potable water. Those pipes are marked with "NSF-PW" or "NSF-61" to indicate that the pipes adhere to the national standards for drinking-water plumbing. PVC pipes also should not be used to carry heater water under any circumstances, as the heat will melt or bend the pipe over time.
Uses for PEX
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PEX pipes are most commonly used in residential buildings for conveying potable water for drinking, showering and appliances that use water. All PEX pipes are rated to carry drinking water. Some brands of PEX pipe are colored red to help plumbers and homeowners differentiate heated water lines from cold water lines. Most PEX comes in rolls of flexible pipe that can be bended within walls for easy installation. PEX pipes use specialized fittings that require the use of a PEX crimper instead of chemical or heat bonding like other pipes use.
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References
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