Do you know that the chemical symbol for lead is Pb? That stands for “plumbum,” and the word “plumbing” is derived from it. Lead was often used to create plumbing pipes, and in some very old systems, it still is. Lead, a soft metal, was easy to shape and resisted leaks, but now we know about its drawbacks. Here are some other types of plumbing pipes and their pros and cons.

PVC Pipes

Bright white PVC pipes are probably the most widely used pipes in the world. PVC is an abbreviation of polyvinyl chloride. These pipes are light in weight, inexpensive, easy to install and repair, and bear up well under harsh chemicals. When you go to your hardware store, you’ll see that PVC comes in a great variety of sizes and shapes. It’s also durable. A sewer line system made of PVC can last longer than your house. One drawback with these types of pipes is that the cement used to hold the joints together wears out and causes leaks. PVC can also crack under very hot or very cold temperatures.

CPVC Pipes

CPVC stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. Its benefits are much the same as PVC. You can tell PVC from CPVC because CPVC pipes are beige. Even though CPVC is inexpensive, it’s a little more expensive than PVC. It can also grow more brittle than PVC, which makes it more vulnerable to cracking.

ABS Pipes

ABS stands for acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. These pipes can be recognized as different from PVC and CPVC because they’re black. Some plumbing professionals believe ABS is the best choice for sewer lines because it’s very tough and shock-resistant. ABS pipes are one of the best pipes to install underground because they can stand frigid temperatures and actually don’t like to be out in hot sun. ABS pipes are easy to install although they’re not as effortless as PVC pipes. Drawbacks of ABS piping are that it shouldn’t be used indoors because it’s flammable, and it’s noisy. Neither should be much of a problem since most ABS pipes are going to be installed outside and underground.

Cast Iron Pipes

A lot of old homes still have cast iron pipes. Cast iron pipes were chosen for sewer lines because they can last a century or more and are very strong. They’re also quiet. The drawback is that these pipes are very heavy, which makes them more difficult to install and can cause them to sag underground. Though the material lasts a long time, it corrodes eventually. When it does, it’s nearly impossible to fix.

Call Our Professionals to Help You Choose the Right Sewer Line

There are a variety of materials that make good sewer lines, and our professionals are pleased to help you choose the best for your home. To learn more about sewer lines, give us a call at The Plumber of Mesa, AZ.