If you are a homeowner, chances are you will need to repair or replace plumbing parts in your home at some point. If you don’t have any plumbing experience, knowing which part goes where can be confusing. This video explains some common plumbing parts you should know about.
In older homes, the pipes may be made of galvanized steel. This was a popular choice in houses built before WW2. They are prone to rusting from the inside out, which compromises your water supply. Usually, you will only need to purchase galvanized steel pipes if you are retrofitting an old home.
Copper is what’s largely used today. They come in 10 or 20 feet lengths. You also need to be able to understand the width of the pipe wall. These are measured in gauges, and deciding which one to use will depend on your local code. Instead of threaded fittings, the pipes and joints are soldered together.
There are also compression connections and some that use o-ring joints for tight spaces where it’s difficult to use tools.
There are also PVC pipes that can be used for drainage, and CPVC for water lines that carry drinking water. For more information, check out the video in the link above.
