The installation of sanitary communications in an apartment or cottage inevitably entails the purchase of new plumbing materials. If the owner of the living space is going to entrust the work to hired specialists, he will not have to understand the intricacies and features. In this case, the purchase of materials will be handled by professionals. However, to carry out repairs with your own hands or to control the work of the involved craftsmen, you need to carefully study the possible options. There are different types of materials, each with a different purpose.
What are pipes made of?
This is one of the main plumbing items. Water and sewer pipes are made from different materials. There are such types of them:
- steel;
- cast iron;
- copper;
- metal-plastic;
- PVC;
- from other polymers.
Material fromwhich the pipe is made determines the area of use, since the product has the appropriate properties, characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Steel plumbing is considered one of the most reliable and cheap. Steel structures have the necessary strength, steadfastly resist pressure and temperature surges. It is easy to find the necessary fittings, connections and other additional elements for such materials. If steel pipes are installed correctly, then communications will last up to 50 years. Most often, steel is used in the installation of risers and heated towel rails. In addition to undeniable advantages, steel has several significant disadvantages:
- corrosion formation;
- scale deposits on the inner walls;
- condensation outside;
- expensive and difficult installation.
Cast iron pipes are not subject to rust, resistant to temperature changes, do not allow scale to form and are highly durable. The period of operation of a cast-iron water supply system is up to hundreds of years.
Copper pipes are an expensive and reliable option for arranging plumbing communications. The metal has a high price, but it is durable, does not rust, and disinfects water. In addition, copper pipes can not be hidden, but turned into a real interior decoration. With this decor, the bathroom will look light, stylish and solid.
Pipes made of polymers are as strong as metal pipes, they are lightweight, easy to solder, so transportation and installationwill not hit the customer in the pocket. They can be used both inside and outside the building. Due to the elastic texture, they endure winter frosts.
Sealing materials for plumbing work
In order for the pipeline to work without leakage, it is necessary to use reliable and durable sealing materials. Without them, even the most expensive and high-tech structures will not be able to function normally. All kinds of sealing materials are designed to prevent leakage at the junction of plumbing elements. The seals used for mounting fill the micro-voids between the inside and outside of the parts and thus prevent the penetration of water. The most vulnerable point of the plumbing structure is the joints.
There are pipes with a special tapered thread that does not require the use of sealing plumbing materials. In the catalogs of large building supermarkets and specialized stores there are such options. When connecting two metal parts, a reliable seam is created due to the collapse of the threaded thread. However, in this case it will not be possible to disassemble and assemble the joint if necessary, so such pipes are rarely used.
Fittings
These are parts that connect pipes at bends, bends, branches or where different diameters of the connected parts are used. Cast iron threaded fittings - the most common plumbing materials, they are used for pipes made of cast iron or steel. Withon the inside, the elements are threaded, thanks to which they are wound.
Adhesive fittings are fixed with liquid polymer. With their help, installation is carried out as quickly as possible, and the connection is tight.
Self-locking fittings are a fairly new invention. They are mechanically complex, suitable for copper pipes, and are themselves made from copper.
Metal-plastic fittings are intended exclusively for polymer pipes.
Hatches, revisions
As a rule, plumbing communications are located in the bathroom and toilet. In some buildings they are in a conspicuous place. This solution makes maintenance extremely simple, but the interior looks unaesthetic. Plumbing equipment and materials can be hidden behind walls and drywall boxes, but in this case, special hatches or revisions should be placed.
Tools
To carry out plumbing work, the master must have an extensive set of tools with him. Most of them can be used for other types of construction and repair work. The list of mandatory tools includes screwdrivers, electric drill, files, wrenches, circular saw, pliers.
