How to Ensure You Are Choosing the Right Pipes and Fittings for Your Upcoming Project

Choosing the right pipes and fittings can be incredibly overwhelming, no matter what your project is. Perhaps you know about PVC pipes and fittings but aren’t sure which projects they are suitable for, maybe you don’t know how to determine the right size, or perhaps you don’t know anything but need to start making some decisions!

Whatever the case is, the last thing you want is to be selecting the wrong equipment. To help you avoid that, keep reading to ensure you choose the right pipes and fittings for your upcoming project.

1. Learn about the materials.

The most crucial consideration you have to make when selecting pipes and fittings for your upcoming project is related to the material. There are several different types of pipe materials on the market, and it is essential that you choose the most suitable one. Generally, plastic pipes are considered the gold standard due to their strength, longevity, ease of installation, and low cost.

Within the plastic pipes sector, you have several options. The most common types of plastic pipes are ABS, PVC, CPVC, HDPE, and PEX, all of which have different characteristics. ABS used to be the most popular option; however, as plastic pipe technology has improved in recent years, this material has fallen out of fashion, giving rise to the others.

PVC remains the most common form of plastic pipe, especially for potable water, non-potable water and processed water projects. It is ideal for these projects as it is non-toxic and BPA-free. Additionally, PVC pipes differ in their thickness and configuration depending on their application. However, for situations involving high water temperatures, CPVC is more suitable as it is chlorinated. Keep in mind that CPVC should not be used for drinking water or in outdoor capacities.

In projects that demand a tougher material, HDPE is the most suitable as its robust nature allows it to tackle projects in the gas, oil, mining, and marine/aquaculture industries. PEX is just as tough and better at handling high temperatures and pressure, making it fitting for plumbing projects. These pipes are also immensely popular in residential and small business applications due to their minimal maintenance and fast installation process.

Whatever type of plastic pipes you opt to use, you can be assured that they will be lightweight and flexible, impermeable to rust and corrosion, compatible with most existing systems, and more affordable than any other material option.

2. Consider the sizing.

Once you determine the material you will use, it is then time to consider the sizing. While all projects are unique, you will generally need pipes that are 1/2 inch and above. Luckily, the best plastic pipe manufacturers produce pipes in a broad array of sizes, ensuring that you will always be able to find the appropriate one.

The most important thing to note when ascertaining the right pipe size is that the number you are looking for is not the outer diameter (OD) of the pipe, but instead the nominal diameter (ND). Therefore, in most instances, you will have to convert the OD into the ND.

To determine the ND of a male thread:

Start by wrapping a string around your pipe or pipe fitting.
Indicate where the string overlaps before using a measuring tape to see the length between the string’s tip and the mark you made (this is the circumference).
Divide the circumference by 3.14159 to give you the OD. From there, you can find a chart online that will convert the OD into the ND. At this point, you will have an accurate measurement of your pipe or pipe fitting.

To determine the ND of a female thread, all you have to do is measure the inside diameter (ID) of the pipe or pipe fitting with a tape measure. Using an online chart, you can then convert the ID into the ND or pipe size.

While doing this conversion, keep in mind that your OD should always be larger than your ND. Furthermore, it is the ND size that is included in the names of pipes. For example, a 2-inch pipe has a 2-inch ND and a larger OD.

You won’t need to convert anything between pipe sizes and fitting sizes as all compatible parts use the same ND in their names, meaning your 2-inch pipe will require a 2-inch fitting. When it comes to fittings, their ND should always be big enough to fit over the pipe OD.

3. Purchase from a reputable company.

Whether this is your first time working with plastic pipes or you are a seasoned pro, you always want to ensure that you are purchasing the highest-quality products possible. For this reason, it is crucial that you opt to purchase your plastic pipes from a reputable company as this is the only way to ensure you are getting the best product on the market.

The best PVC pipes supplier in the UAE has plenty of experience providing customers with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices. Every day, they go above and beyond to ensure that their customers choose the right pipes and fittings for their upcoming project. So, rather than making an expensive (and annoying) mistake when it comes to selection time, reach out today to learn from their immense knowledge.

Are you on the hunt for new pipes and fittings? If so, do you think you will be using plastic pipes in your upcoming project? Why or why not? Let us know your thoughts and any additional questions you have in the comments below!

Categories : Homes & Living