Cheats for choosing drainage pipes: five golden rules for insiders
In construction and decoration projects, the selection of drainage pipes is very important. A high-quality drainage pipe can not only ensure the smooth operation of the drainage system, but also avoid many troubles in the future, such as water leakage and blockage. The following are the five golden rules that insiders follow when purchasing drainage pipes.
Rule 1: Material is the key.
Characteristics of different materials
Drain pipes are made of various materials, such as PVC, PPR, PE and cast iron, and each material has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) drainage pipe is the most widely used one at present. It has the characteristics of light weight, low price and corrosion resistance. The installation of PVC pipe is more convenient, and adhesive connection can be used, which has better sealing performance. Moreover, its inner wall is smooth, the water flow resistance is small, and the drainage speed is fast. For example, in the general residential bathroom and kitchen drainage system, PVC drainage pipe can meet the demand well.
PPR (Random Copolymer Polypropylene) pipes are mainly used for conveying hot and cold water, but some of them are also used in drainage systems. Its advantages are environmental protection, non-toxicity, high temperature resistance, high pressure resistance and long service life. The PPR pipe is connected by hot melt, which is firm and not easy to leak. PPR pipe is a good choice in some drainage application scenarios with high water quality requirements, such as domestic drinking water drainage or places with special environmental protection requirements.
PE (polyethylene) pipe has good flexibility and strong corrosion resistance, especially for some drainage environments with corrosive substances such as acid and alkali. It can be used for buried drainage pipes and can bear certain ground pressure without breaking. PE pipe can play an important role in the case of industrial drainage or some special chemical substances discharge.
Cast iron drainage pipes have the characteristics of high strength, good durability and good sound insulation effect. It is often used in high-rise buildings or places with strict requirements on noise, such as hotels and hospitals. However, the cast iron pipe is heavy, the installation is relatively complicated and the price is high.
Select materials according to requirements.
When purchasing drainage pipes, the materials should be selected according to the specific use environment and needs. If it is a general home decoration, considering the cost and convenience of use, PVC drainage pipes are usually the first choice. However, if it is an industrial plant or a place with special drainage requirements, it is necessary to choose a more suitable material according to the nature of the drainage material and environmental conditions, such as PE pipe for chemical sewage discharge and PPR pipe for drainage of special water quality.
Rule 2: The pipe diameter should be appropriate.
Calculation of drainage flow
The choice of pipe diameter directly affects the drainage effect. When determining the pipe diameter, the drainage flow should be calculated first. This needs to consider the size of the drainage area, the number of users, the number and type of drainage equipment and other factors. For example, for an ordinary family's bathroom, the probability of using drainage equipment such as shower head, toilet and washbasin at the same time is low. Generally, a drainage pipe with a diameter of 50mm-75mm can meet the normal drainage demand. However, for public toilets, the number of users is large and drainage equipment is frequently used, which may require a drainage pipe with a diameter of 100mm or more.
For the kitchen, we should consider the displacement of the sink and whether there are other drainage devices such as dishwashers. If there are more drainage equipment or large displacement, the pipe diameter should be appropriately increased. In commercial kitchens or large canteens, the choice of pipe diameter should be more cautious to ensure rapid drainage during peak hours and avoid water accumulation.
Consider future scalability
In addition to the current drainage demand, we should also consider the possible expansion in the future. For example, families may add new drainage equipment, such as washing machines and bathtubs, and a certain margin should be reserved when choosing the pipe diameter. In the design of commercial buildings or industrial plants, we should also consider the drainage changes that may be brought about by the development of enterprises or the expansion of production scale, and choose the appropriate pipe diameter to avoid the trouble of reforming the drainage system in the later stage.
Rule 3: Thickness and quality of pipe wall
Influence of pipe wall thickness
The thickness of pipe wall is one of the important indexes to measure the quality of drainage pipe. A thicker pipe wall usually means better compression resistance and durability. For buried or under great pressure drainage pipes, such as drainage risers in high-rise buildings, it is necessary to choose pipes with thick walls. In some areas where vehicles may pass or heavy objects may be squeezed, such as drainage pipes in underground parking lots, the thickness of the pipe wall can not be ignored.
However, the thicker the wall, the better. Excessive thickness of the pipe wall may increase the cost, and in some cases, the pipe may be damaged due to factors such as thermal expansion and cold contraction. Therefore, the appropriate wall thickness should be selected according to the actual use environment and pressure requirements.
Check the quality of the pipe wall
When purchasing, carefully check the quality of the pipe wall. High-quality drainage pipe wall should be smooth, without cracks, bubbles and obvious impurities. You can touch the pipe wall by hand and feel its flatness. In case of doubt, you can use a simple tool, such as a flashlight, to illuminate from the inside of the pipe to see if there is any light transmission defect on the pipe wall. At the same time, you can also check the incision of the pipeline. The incision of the high-quality pipeline should be neat and even, without burrs.
Rule 4: Reliability of connection mode
Common connection modes and characteristics
There are many ways to connect drainage pipes, such as gluing, hot melting, flange connection and socket connection.
Adhesive connection is often used in PVC drainage pipes, which is simple to operate and low in cost. However, it is required that the glue should be of good quality, spread evenly, and the cooperation between pipes and fittings should be close. In the process of construction, attention should be paid to the ambient temperature and humidity of bonding to ensure the bonding effect.
Hot melt connection is mainly used for PPR pipes and some PE pipes. By heating the connection parts of pipes and pipe fittings, they are fused together, and the connection is firm and the sealing is good. However, the hot-melt connection needs professional equipment and skilled technicians, otherwise the connection will be unstable or blocked easily.
Flange connection is generally used for cast iron pipes or pipes with larger diameters. It connects pipes through flanges and bolts, which is convenient for disassembly and maintenance, and is suitable for drainage systems that need frequent maintenance.
Socket connection is suitable for pipes of various materials. It realizes the connection by inserting one end of the pipe into the socket at the other end and filling it with sealing material. This connection method is simple, but the sealing performance may not be as good as some other connection methods.
Select the appropriate connection mode.
When selecting the drainage pipe, the reliability and applicability of the connection mode should be considered. If it is DIY or small-scale decoration project, glued PVC pipe may be a better choice; If it is a large-scale construction project or a place with high requirements for connection quality, hot-melt connection of PPR or PE pipes may be more suitable. Flanged cast iron pipes are also an option for drainage systems that need long-term stable operation and may need maintenance. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the construction personnel are familiar with the selected connection mode to ensure the connection quality.
Rule 5: Balance between brand and price
The importance of brand
Choosing well-known brands of drainage pipes can get better quality assurance. Well-known brands usually have strict production standards, quality inspection procedures and perfect after-sales service. They are more trustworthy in material selection, production technology and product quality. For example, some big brands of drainage pipes have been tested by long-term practice in anti-aging, anti-corrosion and anti-compression, which can effectively reduce the problems in use. Moreover, brand products are more complete in specifications and models, which can meet the needs of different users.
Price consideration and cost performance
Price is a factor that can't be ignored when buying a drain pipe, but you can't buy it just because the price is low. Too cheap drainage pipes may have quality problems, such as inferior material, thin pipe wall, weak connection, etc. These problems may lead to drainage system failure in the short term or after long-term use, which will increase maintenance costs and troubles. When choosing, we should comprehensively consider factors such as brand, quality and price, and find the product with the highest cost performance. You can make decisions by comparing the prices and product characteristics of different brands and businesses, and combining your own budget and needs.
