Which pipe to choose for underground water supply

Copper pipes

• The antibacterial properties of copper do not allow pathogenic bacteria to develop in water.
• The durability of copper alloy pipes is the highest, and they do not require repairs for decades.
• This metal is easy to process due to its ductility and low hardness.
• It is not subject to corrosion, in contact with water only a thin layer of metal can be oxidized, and the resulting oxide film creates additional protection against mechanical and chemical influences.
• The lumen of the pipes is not overgrown with deposits.
• The metal looks very noble and does not need to be painted.

Copper pipes fit perfectly into retro interiors where plastic would look out of place.

However, installing copper plumbing is not so easy; only an experienced craftsman can do it.

How is it happening soldering of copper pipes, see the video:

Briefly about the main

It is not difficult to choose the material for mounting the water supply system if you know all the features of the pipes, how they are assembled and how their characteristics change under different operating conditions. For example, if you need to choose which pipes are best for plumbing in a private house underground, then HDPE or PP pipes will be an ideal solution. For internal wiring, all types of plastic and metal-plastic products are suitable, with the exception of low-pressure polyethylene pipes, as well as copper pipes. Traditional steel pipes can also be used, but you need to be prepared that hard water will quickly disable them, and the appearance will have to be maintained with regular painting.

Copper products

As a rule, they try to disguise the water supply system, but this does not apply to this type. This is the case when the appearance is able to please and become an interior decoration. Aesthetic appearance is not their only advantage, they also differ:

• reliability;
• long service life, which can reach 70 years with proper care;
• resistance to deformation and high pressure;
• the tendency to internal overgrowth is less than that of steel;
• resistance to chemicals, which allows the use of cleaners with chlorine and alkaline reagents.

The use of copper pipes when creating a plumbing structure in an apartment is associated with some difficulties in their installation. In addition, it is worth noting their high cost, so fewer people buy them, which means that the offer has become limited.When problems arise, it is difficult to find a similar repair material or fittings.

Plumbers are usually reluctant to work with copper products, as it requires special skills, and, accordingly, the installation cost will be high, which is a minus when choosing this material.

To make wiring around the apartment from copper pipes, you will need products with a diameter of 20 and 25 mm.

What are the best pipes for plumbing in a private house - an overview of options

To live in a private house, it is impossible to do with just one pump that will pump water from a well or well. The water supply system must be organized in such a way that the residents are provided with the necessary amount of water. Pipes for water supply in a private house are selected from a material that is resistant to corrosion and to the loads that occur with high water pressure.

When solving the problem, which pipes for water supply are better, it must be remembered that the water supply system must be functional, durable, reliable, and have a long service life. And such that its undesirable repair did not hit the pocket too hard.

To decide which pipes are best for plumbing in a private house, the following factors must be considered:

• chemical constituents of water;
• operating conditions of pipelines;
• working pressure inside the pipes;
• route length.

A few years ago, the choice was small and was reduced only to the installation of cast-iron or steel pipelines. Today, the construction market offers various models of pipes for plumbing in a private house - which is better to choose? We will talk about this in this article, as well as go over the technical characteristics of materials and installation methods for several options.

metal-plastic

Manufacturers of metal-plastic pipes guarantee the quality work of their products for a period of 25 years or more. Ease of installation is the main feature of these pipelines. The plumbing system made of this material is essentially a constructor, which is assembled quickly and easily with the help of connecting fittings. The unique design has special reliability and durability.

The advantages that distinguish metal-plastic pipes from other products of this type:

The photo shows the structure of metal-plastic pipes

• do not give in to corrosion;
• greater resistance to high and low temperatures;
• high plasticity of the material, allowing the installation of the most complex structures;
• there is no accumulation and deposition of mineral salts inside the pipelines;
• ease of installation that does not require special tools and skills (applies to installation with collapsible compression fittings, press tongs are required for press fittings);
• aesthetic appearance;
• affordable cost.

Attention: When purchasing metal-plastic water pipes, pay attention to the presence of a certificate that allows these products to be used for transporting drinking water.

The inner diameter of metal-plastic pipes is relatively small, but the water flow does not become less. In addition, these products can easily withstand high water pressure.

Do-it-yourself installation of a metal-plastic pipe for a water supply system in a private house is greatly simplified due to the light weight of the products. By the way, if necessary, the metal-plastic plumbing system can be dismantled, and then reassembled (when using collet fittings).The reliability and quality of the system will not deteriorate from this.

How and with the help of what water treatment is organized for private houses, read in a separate material.

And how to make a shower in the country with our own hands, we told in another article on the site. The choice of location, materials and sequence of work.

Plumbing from polypropylene materials

Recently, polypropylene water pipes are becoming more and more popular.

For operation under certain conditions, polypropylene pipes are produced and classified under the following markings:

• for cold water - PN10;
• for hot (not more than 60 degrees) water, as well as cold - PN16;
• for cold and hot water (up to 95 degrees) - PN20;
• for heating systems, hot and cold water - PN25.

What pipes are best for plumbing underground? There can be only one answer - polypropylene. Due to its resistance to corrosion, polypropylene pipes can also be installed in rooms with high humidity and in aggressive environments. Their non-separable sealed connections are created by soldering with a special soldering iron, which does not require special skills to work with.

An important advantage of polypropylene pipes is their perfectly smooth inner surface, which eliminates the formation of fatty deposits on their walls. Since these products began to be produced less than a century ago, it is difficult to say exactly about the duration of their operational period.

Estimated time is about 50 years.

Features of country water supply

A dacha is a place where you want not only to work, but also to relax comfortably. However, neither one nor the other will come out without a full water supply.After all, you need to take a shower after a hard day and have a good dinner.

Sooner or later, summer residents think about how to provide their site with a regular influx of water, what kind of water supply to make, and also what pipes are best for plumbing at their summer cottage.

The source of water supply can be a well or a well. These two types of sources can be:

• on the sand;
• on rocks;
• artesian source.

Water from a well is incomparably cleaner, but drilling will also require considerable material costs. When connecting a pipeline to a common water supply system, the pressure depends on the main source, which must be registered and documented in the relevant authorities.

After the construction of a well or well, they begin to select pumping equipment for autonomous water supply. First you need to calculate the amount of water needed for the site. The required power of the pump depends on it. In addition, depending on the depth of water supply, it may be necessary to purchase surface pumping equipment in addition to deep-seated pumping equipment. These units are designed for a depth of 8 m. If it is greater, then submersible pumps are preferred, in which water is taken from a depth of 20 m.

Then you can start laying pipelines. You can argue about which pipes are better for plumbing at their summer cottage, endlessly. The main thing is to calculate the depth of laying pipes.

Advice. To work only in the summer, pipes can be laid on the surface of the soil, but if the use of the water supply system is year-round, then the laying is carried out below the freezing level of the soil.

The trench with the pipe should be pre-treated with anti-corrosion agents if metal pipes are to be used. It will not be superfluous to invite a specialist for advice.

metal-plastic material

Metal-plastic pipes are lightweight and durable. They will be a good option for arranging water supply in a multi-storey building. The combination of metal and plastic made this product versatile.

Thermal stability indicators depend on the production technology. You can determine this by the color of the product: blue ones are designed for installation of cold water pipes, white ones can withstand water temperatures above 45 degrees.

With the installation procedure in this case, no problems should arise. For this, compression fittings of various diameters are used. If fittings are connected with a ferrule, there must be room for regular tightening.

Metal-plastic construction

The presence of a multilayer structure allows us to talk about high strength indicators. Metal-plastic is created in the form of a multilayer cake and consists of:

• metal frame;
• soft plastic covering the base on both sides.

In this case, the frame can be solid, spiral and perforated.

The benefits of this material include:

• Ease of assembly of structures and its further operation;
• When heated, they are able to bend and take the necessary shape;
• Relatively low price;
• The soldering passes directly and does not require additional equipment for connection;
• Resistant to low temperatures, so they can be laid even in the soil.

Noiselessness can also be attributed to positive qualities.Due to the features of the multi-layer construction, they absorb noise well.

This type also has its drawbacks. Metal-plastic does not tolerate a sharp temperature drop, which can cause delamination of the base. It is worth mentioning the fitting connection, which is not reliable.

No. 2. Stainless steel pipes

To obtain a corrosion-resistant material, steel is alloyed mainly with chromium. "Stainless steel" looks great, has outstanding performance. It is as durable as pipes made of ordinary and galvanized steel, withstands pressure and temperature drops, and is not afraid of shock. Moreover, such pipes are not afraid of corrosion, so the upper limit of durability exceeds 50 years. Among the main disadvantages is not even the complexity of installation, but the high cost of the material, so stainless steel pipes are rarely used today, although they are great for hot and cold water supply systems.

Why steel pipes are not used now

In the absence of an alternative, steel pipes were the only option for plumbing systems that were durable, reliable and economical. Until recently, it was only between them and copper products that only wealthy people could afford to choose which pipes are best for plumbing in a private house. But they, not wanting to waste money, often chose the first option.

This is due to the high strength of steel pipelines, which can withstand both external mechanical loads and excess water pressure, and hydraulic shocks.Such a system could last several decades, but required constant maintenance and periodic repairs.

In old houses, there is still a functioning steel water pipe, installed more than half a century ago.

Despite all the advantages, steel pipes have much more disadvantages that have been leveled in modern materials, which will be discussed below.

Corrosion resistance.

This is the main disadvantage of such pipes. Corrosion processes affect both their internal and external surfaces. To prevent rusting, the pipes have to be painted frequently and regularly on the outside. It is impossible to do this inside, therefore, over time, the quality of the transported water deteriorates, fistulas and leaks form in the system, requiring repair.

If a leak has formed on the main line leading to the house, it is impossible to detect and eliminate it in time, which leads to serious accidents. Therefore, when choosing which pipe is better to use for underground water supply to a house from a well, the black steel option should not even be considered.

Insufficient smoothness of the inner walls.

They contain roughness invisible to the eye, retaining particles of rust, lime and other solid impurities. This process goes on continuously, deposits form on the inner walls, narrowing the diameter of the pipe and the pressure of the water.

Blockages in steel pipes

Condensation formation.

With a large temperature difference between the pumped water and the ambient air, steel pipes “cry” - drops of condensate appear on them, which fall to the floor and are another cause of rust.

Difficulty of installation.

The large weight of the pipes makes it difficult to fix them on walls made of cellular materials, drywall.The joints of pipes with each other and shaped elements are carried out by welding, which forces the use of the services of specialists. Assembly on threaded connections is also possible, but they are short-lived, it is in these places that the risk of leakage is high.

Pipes made of chrome, galvanized or stainless steel resist corrosion quite well, therefore they are free from the disadvantages arising from it. But they are much more expensive both in themselves and in installation. These materials are less amenable to processing and welding; special consumables are needed to assemble a stainless steel system. You can not do without highly qualified craftsmen and special equipment.

Stainless steel plumbing

To avoid the problems associated with the shortcomings of steel pipes, and save yourself the need for frequent repairs, it is better to choose other materials for installing the plumbing system.

When deciding which pipes it is better to make a water supply system in a private house, one must take into account the seasonality of its operation, the volume and temperature of the pumped liquid, laying conditions and other factors.

Advantages and disadvantages of metal-plastic

Products have their pros and cons. The positive properties of pipes are as follows:

• flexibility to often dispense with fittings;
• light weight;
• the temperature of the working environment reaches +95C;
• low temperature deformation;
• resistance to corrosion and aggressive media;
• slight noise when transporting liquids.

The disadvantages of pipes are as follows:

• combustibility of the material;
• elements have different temperature deformations, leading to pipe delamination along the adhesive layers and at the junctions with brass fittings;
• the material does not withstand ultraviolet radiation;
• low impact strength;
• narrow limits of diameters - 16-33 mm;
• rupture of a pipe when water freezes in it;
• high cost of fittings.

Another disadvantage is the narrower flow area of ​​the fitting compared to the diameter of the pipe. This creates additional resistance to the movement of water.

Special equipment and methods of working with it

Georadar is a special equipment used to search for underground utilities. The pipe can be found with:

Types of equipment used by companies searching for underground utilities

• radars;
• radars;
• cable locators;
• route finders;
• tracers;
• tracing stations;
• tape and marker finders.

The choice depends on what exactly is being sought, as well as on the materials from which the desired object is made.Pipe routing

Modern equipment ranges from mobile portable devices to special expensive stations. In the latter case, information is transmitted to any point on the planet via satellite. The principle of operation lies in scanning the soil at the time of the presence of induction fields surrounding the electric cable. The induction method involves the use of a heterodyne receiver.

The following technologies are also distinguished:

• contact;
• active contactless;
• passive.

If metal is sought, then a generator is connected to the pipeline. But if the object is made of plastic, a different method is used.

Finding plumbing plastic pipes

Finding pipes with a probe

In this case, the pipeline does not conduct electricity. To determine where it passes through the site, an iron cable with a float or probe is immersed inside. The cable will be connected to a generator that generates electricity.Further actions are that you need to catch and fix a stable signal.

Budget option with a frame

Despite the fact that this method does not require investments, and it seems simple, a specialist should perform the actions. The thing is that there is no scientific explanation and description of technological features, and you have to rely on your own intuition.

The bottom line is that two wires bent with the letter G intersect if they are placed above the pipeline.

It is important that the frames are not clamped in a fist. The procedure is repeated 5-6 times

This is necessary for further verification. If you step aside by 2-3 meters, the wires will diverge in different directions, and when approaching the axis of the water supply or cable, they will cross again.

Why is insulation necessary?

There are several reasons why underground water supply should be insulated, all of them are related to the rules for laying communications and financial savings - it is obtained after the implementation of insulation work. The main reasons for conducting thermal protection of the water supply system:

1. When laying an underground water line, the possibility of draining water from the system is taken into account; for this, the pipeline is laid with a slope of about 20 mm per linear meter towards the source. If the house or cottage is located at a great distance from the well or well from which water is taken, for example, 50 m, then when laying the pipeline near the house at an average freezing depth of about 1.5 m, at the entrance to the source, it will be necessary to bury the pipe by 2.5 m (0.02 x 50 = 1 m). This is economically impractical and rather difficult to implement technically.

2. To take water from wells, caisson wells are often used, in which pumping equipment is placed and maintenance of the electric pump is carried out. A standard caisson tank has a depth of submersion under the ground of about 2 m, while the upper pipe of the casing, according to the standards, is located 50 cm above the floor level. Thus, at the outlet of the caisson chamber, which is an unheated room, the pipeline is .5 m, and given that when connecting to the house through the basement, a slope is needed, the entire section of the water supply will be above the freezing point - accordingly, it must be insulated. Read more about plastic caissons.

3. Insulation of water supply pipes in a private house, passing underground, saves significant funds that are spent on heating cold water for household needs. It is clear that less chilled water after flowing through an insulated water supply system will require less electricity for heating than chilled water after passing through a non-thermally insulated main.
4. It is known that the thermal insulation of an underground water supply system from contact with the ground does not heat the pipes, but prevents heat loss, therefore, insulated pipes for water supply can be effectively operated in the summer - they prevent water from heating when the main line is shallow.
5. To prevent freezing, not only the water pipes are insulated in the ground, but also on its surface at the exit from the well and the entrance to the house, if it is located on piles, for this they often use thermal insulation methods and materials similar to underground utilities.

Self-regulating electrical cable device

How to choose

The choice of components of the water supply system must be taken seriously. People are interested in the price, wear resistance of the material. The question of self-installation of the system does not remain without attention. Pipes are selected based on the purpose and location in which they need to be installed. Each case has its own nuances that must be taken into account.

Flat

Usually, plastic structures are created in apartments. Most buyers prefer this product because of the low price, long service life, ease of installation work.

All types of plastic pipes are suitable for cold water, unreinforced parts can be used. When choosing a product for supplying hot water, you need to be careful. Under the influence of high temperatures and pressure, the plastic changes size, and the pipe increases and loses its rigidity. Can be used for hot water reinforced polypropylene pipe with fiberglass, it will not deform at high temperatures and retain its frame.

Polyethylene pipes are also in demand. They are elastic, durable, able to withstand high temperatures. Due to the density of the parts, they can be used for both cold and hot water supply. Compared to plastic pipes, polyethylene pipes require more money and a welding machine for installation.

Copper and steel options in this case are not recommended. The former cost a lot of money, and on the surface of the latter substances are deposited that spoil the quality of water. Steel products are bought if you need to replace a part of a water supply system, the system of which consists of steel pipes.

A private house

For a private house, as well as for an apartment, it is recommended to purchase polypropylene plastic pipes

It is important to consider that ultraviolet rays affect plastic, so polypropylene products are more often used for underground or internal plumbing, otherwise deformation may occur, and the system will have to be changed

Underground plumbing used to be pipes made of steel or copper. Now preference is given to plastic structures. Pipes PP, PVC, MP do not rust, besides they cost much less than copper.

Country house

First of all, you can make an external plumbing. Installation of pipes in an open way is used in the country as a temporary plumbing system. The advantage of this method is that such a system can be easily disassembled. This eliminates the possibility of theft of the structure from the summer cottage during the absence of the owners.

You can also use the trench method. The pipe is laid in a trench and covered with earth, so it is protected from ultraviolet radiation. Using the trench method, you can lay out pipes with the help of a specialist, and on your own.