PVC pipe is the pipe of choice. Polyvinyl Chloride was invented in nineteen twenty five by a BF Goodrich chemist that was trying to come up with a way to bond metal and plastic together for tires. The result was PVC, which was used in tires in the nineteen thirties. During the nineteen fifties it was invented and was initially used only for outside applications. It was used for irrigation and other water carrying applications outdoors. It became favored because of its ability to withstand the heat and the cold without breaking. In addition it was found to be resilient to weight and to earth quakes; shortly thereafter PVC was used in household applications.
Benefits
One of the major benefits of PVC pipe is its resilience and texture. The smooth texture of the pipe thwarts the growth of bacteria. The pipe is very resilient to being moved and shaken it is virtually indestructible, unlike metal pipes it will not corrode over time.
Problems
In recent years there have been some negative reports regarding gases that are leeched from a PVC pipe. The gasses are thought to be carcinogens. There is some thought that the gases only leech at very high temperatures, exceeding three hundred fifty degrees.
PVC is not a good option for moving anything but water. It can explode when used to move pressurized gases and should never be used for that purpose the pipe could explode and send shrapnel everywhere. There are also some concerns that the filler used to connect the PVC to another pipe will over time breakdown and leech metal into the water. This problem has been addressed and the new snap together pipes do not use any filler at all to work effectively.
Manufacturers of these types of pipes deny that there is any problems that leeching does not occur unless there are extremely high temperatures applied to the pipe (exceeding five hundred degrees) and that it is the safest most hygienic option for water carrying applications.
Where to Find It
Any hardware, home improvement and some discount box stores will carry PVC pipe, the size and length will vary from vendor to vendor but almost all applicable sizes for household use can usually be found at that local home improvement store. The pipes are less expensive than their metal counterparts and are easier to install.
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