Types of Water Supply Lines

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Copper Piping

The most common type of water supply piping is copper piping. This piping is used both to supply the water from the street connection at the municipal connection to the dwelling as well as in the interior of the house for supplying fixtures. It is important that the copper piping not be kinked as this will reduce water flow. Residential service piping is typically 3/4 inch. Larger homes may have 1 inch or larger. The horizontal supply piping is generally 3/4 inch with 1/2-inch risers to fixtures. Smaller homes or homes with one bathroom may have 1/2-inch supply piping.

Copper is a very dependable material, however, if the water is supplied by a well and the water is acidic or has a low pH level, the acidic water degrades the copper. When the walls of the pipe wear thin, the failures will look like tiny, round, green patina stains. If these stains are ignored, water may spray through the hole in the center of the round stain. This problem is generally due to the acidic water, which should be neutralized.

Water hammer, otherwise known as the banging noises made when water flow is stopped abruptly, is not unusual when metal pipe, such as copper or steel is used. The momentum of the water flow stoppage makes the noise. One solution is to provide an air cushion or shock absorber that will soften the movement or momentum of the water. Some water supply systems have air tubes or diaphragm appliances installed in the piping system to prevent hammering.

 

Polybutylene Piping (PB)

Polybutylene piping is gray plastic piping that is very flexible, with joints secured with either epoxy or insert fittings and metal crimp rings. This material  has been known to be defective at the junctions. Barbed brass or copper insert fittings with crimp ring joints are generally more dependable than the epoxy joints. The joints are vulnerable to chlorine in the water, which causes deterioration. The insert fittings  have been in use since 1986 and are still in use  today.

Most municipalities do not allow certain types of Polybutylene piping to be used for residential potable water. There have been individual as well as class action lawsuits concerning certain manufactures of this product.

The major manufacturers of PB piping were Quest and Vangard. Since they can no longer purchase the resins necessary to produce this material, they have begun production of PEX. Which is a type of Polybutylene that is acceptable for potable water use in most areas.

A second type of polybutylene piping is “Big Blue". This piping is typically utilized in the main water supply to the house. Its name was derived from the color of the material. The material was an inch and half to 2 inches in diameter and was rated for cold-water installation only. The major problems that have occurred with this type of PB are related to poor installation practices.

Galvanized Steel Water Service and Supply Piping

Galvanized steel piping is still in use, however, it is not installed in modern construction. It oxidizes from the inside out, the oxidation (rust) reduces the interior diameter of the pipe, restricting the flow of water and it usually first leaks at threaded joints where the pipes are joined. This is analogous to hardening of the arteries in humans. Adequate water supply can normally be restored, to some extent, by replacing the horizontal supply piping in the basement (assuming they are accessible) with copper piping. Replacing the vertical risers in the walls is much more difficult and expensive than accessible horizontal piping Replacing all of the older galvanized steel piping would be the most desirable solution but the most expensive.

If the supply piping from the municipal water lines is galvanized steel, it is likely that the service piping is also galvanized steel. Galvanized steel piping fails sooner at the heavier used fixtures (i.e. the kitchen sink and the main bathroom). Failures are usually related to the amount of oxygen that is present. The more a fixture is used, the more water (and oxygen) is present, which corrodes/oxidizes the piping at a greater rate.

First clues of failure in the piping are roundish rust growths, commonly called rust warts, on the outside of the pipe. These are failures that have come through the pipe. It is not unusual for the corrosion to seal the failure.

Polyvinyl Chloride Piping (PVC)
PVC piping is approved for cold water only. Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) is approved for cold water and may be used for hot water, but not over 140° Fahrenheit. PVCs are joined with a primer and solvent cement. PVC piping is not a conductor and cannot be used for an electrical ground.

Polyethylene Pipe (PE)
Polyethylene piping is typically used as service piping. Generally black in color, it is a flexible material that is easier to install than most other service pipings. Joints in PE piping may not be made with adhesives or solvent cements. Joints should have two stainless steel band clamps, but the connection to metal (such as copper) is typically made with one clamp. The fittings have a smaller interior diameter than the piping. Therefore, PE must be sized based upon the fittings. This material is approved for cold water installation only and is very often found on well water installations.

Lead Piping
There is very little lead supply piping in use, however, you may see some lead service piping in 100 year-old inner city neighborhoods. The prominent concern is the probable 6-inch to 8-inch municipal main in the street that is also lead. Historically, only trace elements of lead are measurable in residential domestic water systems.

Threaded Brass
Threaded brass is uncommon, however, you may still see it in homes built before 1940. The same things that affect copper tend to impact brass.

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