Upstate South Carolina Plumbing: Types of Pipes

Plumbing is part of many Upstate South Carolina remodeling projects, whether the plan is to install a small clean-up sink in a garage or the project is a bathroom addition or a complete kitchen or bathroom remodel. Whether doing the remodel yourself or hiring an Upstate South Carolina contractor, you must make some decisions about pipes. If you have a Upstate South Carolina plumber, s/he will be able to guide you in choosing the most appropriate pipe for your project.

There are many types of Upstate South Carolina plumbing pipes, and some are more appropriate for specific jobs than others. To help you make decisions, here is an overview of the main types of pipe used in Upstate South Carolina residential remodeling.

Plastic Pipe

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) can be used only for cold water. PVC is often used to carry water from the main supply to a home. If you use PVC, ensure your pipe is approved for drinking water.

ABS (acrylonitrite-butadiene-styrene) is used for waste removal, drain, and venting, primarily in bathrooms. It is a rigid plastic pipe that can be connected to several kinds of metal pipe. If considering this kind of pipe, you must check with your contractor or local building codes office because ABS is prohibited in some localities.

PEX can be used to carry both hot and cold water. It is often used for interior water pipes in residential plumbing.

CPVC (chlorine-polyvinyl-chloride) is generally used to carry hot water and is often used as a substitute for copper pipe.

Metal Pipe

Cast Iron is used in some parts of the country for drainage. It is solid and very durable. The challenge of using cast iron is that it is hard to cut and very heavy. If your project involves replacing cast iron pipe, PVC is a good choice because it can be combined with cast iron.

Copper is a good choice for hot and cold water supply lines and is very corrosion-resistant. It is light and durable but costs more. If you are replacing copper pipes, a good choice is CPVC.

Galvanized steel is not used much today because it will rust over time and is hard to work with. It was used in the past for water supply lines.

If you are doing the Upstate South Carolina plumbing work yourself, consider using plastic pipes because they are easier to work with. The key to using plastic pipes, which are also less expensive, is to wrap them tightly to prevent noise from escaping, as plastic pipes can be very noisy.

With this information, you should be able to make informed choices about the type of Upstate South Carolina pipe best suited for your specific project needs.