The location of communication pipe installation, whether in a private house or a larger apartment building, is not critical. In both cases, the same types of pipes are used for installing drainage and water systems. Even in terms of properties, drainage pipes are similar to water pipes.
When installing drainage, be it for foul water or stormwater, pipes made from the following materials are used:
Water and Drainage Pipes – What You Need to Know
1. Polypropylene pipes. Typically grey or dark grey in colour. They are rigid yet flexible in their properties. Such pipes range from 50-100 mm in diameter. They are commonly used for internal works, in basements, in apartment building risers, and in smaller low-rise buildings. These pipes are not suitable for outdoor use, as their walls are not thick enough to withstand soil pressure.
2. Polyethylene is a good alternative to polypropylene. It is a softer and more flexible pipe, with wall thicknesses of 1-2.5 mm. Polyethylene piping can be used both outdoors and inside buildings. There is a sufficient range of pipe fittings, allowing drainage to be installed anywhere in the house.
3. Corrugated pipes are used for drainage installation up to 15 m underground. Their smooth inner surface helps prevent blockages, while the corrugated outer surface makes them more durable. These pipes are connected to each other with a rubber ring seal. The diameter of such pipes ranges from 150-6000 mm.
Now, concerning water pipes. Polypropylene pipe is the leader. Its excellent flexibility and resistance to temperature and pressure fluctuations make it indispensable in domestic conditions. A wide range of diameters, from 20 to 79 mm, allows these pipes to be installed in any water supply system.
Where higher water pressure is required, metal pipes are installed, but for drinking water, galvanised pipes are used if polypropylene is not suitable.