Not every type of pipe is a good sewer pipe. These pipes need to be tough and should handle raw sewage effectively. They also need to be corrosion-resistant and easy to install and repair, at least for a professional plumber. Several types of materials would make good sewer lines, and all have their pros and cons.
PVC Pros and Cons
PVC or polyvinyl chloride pipe is a type of plastic. Its interior is round and smooth, which makes it good for carrying human waste and resistant to being penetrated by feeder roots. Other benefits of PVC pipes are that they’re cheap, light, easy to find in hardware or big box stores and easy to cut. All it takes to make a clean and quick cut on a PVC pipe is a handheld pipe cutter.
One drawback with PVC pipes is that they have a low pressure rating. A low pressure rating can be problematic because it makes the pipe prone to clogging. PVC pipe is also at risk of bursting in freezing cold weather and warping when it gets very hot. Furthermore, it can be adversely affected by chemicals. Pipes made of ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, have many of the same benefits and drawbacks as PVC pipes.
Clay Pipe Pros and Cons
Clay pipes have been used for centuries, but they may not be the best choice for a modern sewer pipe. These pipes are vitrified, which means their surfaces have been treated to resemble glass. Yet, clay pipes are still more porous than other types of pipes. They’re prone to cracking, and those cracks can be invaded by tree roots. If those roots are allowed to grow, they can shatter the pipe altogether. Clay sewer pipes are also heavy and difficult to cut. However, the benefits of clay pipes are that they’re eco-friendly, strong, long-lasting and resistant to chemical damage.
Cast Iron Pipe Pros and Cons
Cast iron is another material that has had a long history as sewer piping. It’s durable and has a high-pressure rating, which means that clogs are rare. Cast iron pipes typically have a long lifespan, and it’s not unusual to find a cast iron sewer pipe that’s been in service for as long as a century. Cons of cast iron sewer pipe are that they’re heavy, hard to cut and join, expensive and subject to corrosion.
Learn More About Sewer Pipes
There are several types of material that you could successfully use for your sewer line, but what you choose depends on the needs of your household. To help you choose the best material for your sewer lines in your Savannah, GA home, give us a call at TNT.
