Plumbing has changed a lot from its usage in ancient Greece to supply water and carry sewage away. Today, a variety of materials are used in pipes that supply hot and cold water to every fixture in a house and also create a vital drain and vent system. Pipes like PEX, PVC, ABS, copper, and galvanized—are the different types of pipes commonly found in houses these days, both older homes and new construction. But not every pipe is suitable for use in all situations, nor are all types up to code. “Building codes set forth measures that should be adhered to, not only to ensure public safety but also to protect from property damage. Polyethene cross-linked pipe (PEX) is an affordable plastic tubing that’s popular for water supply lines because it doesn’t leach traces of rust or corrosion into the water as some other types of pipes (for instance, galvanized) have been known to do. It is also simple to install. “Its physical flexibility makes it easy to work with and manoeuvre compared with more rigid PVC pipe,” and the ability to use several connection methods allows it to work with a variety of tool options. The colour-coded construction is another factor essential for keeping plumbing organized. PEX tubing, such as Uponor AquaPEX Tubing comes in three colours: red for hot water, blue for cold water, and white for either hot or cold water. While traditional water supply lines branch off the main water line and can supply water to a number of fixtures, a single PEX tube attaches directly to a hot or cold faucet while the other end connects to a centrally located water distribution manifold, such as these Viega MANABLOC Manifolds The benefit of a manifold is that each PEX tube has its own shut-off valve, so you can easily turn the water off to a sink faucet when you need to make repairs without turning the water off to other fixtures. A single PEX tube that runs from the manifold to a fixture is usually referred to as a home run connection. Pipe made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is often used in a home’s sewage system. “DWV is a type of PVC pipe that is used in Drain, Waste, and Venting systems ,It should be used in applications with low-temperature and low-pressure needs,” meaning it’s ideal for a toilet’s drain line, but it’s not suitable for highly pressurized water supply lines or for carrying hot water. We typically find three-inch and four-inch PVC pipes and connections, such as this PVC DWV 90-degree Elbow Fitting in main drains and in a home’s main vent stack. Smaller PVC pipes, up to three inches, are often used for sink drains and plumbing vents to prevent air locks in drainage pipes
