Plastic plumbing is fast replacing conventional metal and copper pipe fittings due to their flexibility, relative ease of use and cost effectiveness. However, plastic plumbing is not without its disadvantages. In fact, the disadvantages of plastic plumbing are so numerous that one would do well to first become familiar with them before investing in plastic products. One of the most apparent disadvantages of plastic fittings is that they are not as durable as other materials. Here are some of the other common plastic plumbing disadvantages:
Copper line sets are known to be the most durable of all plastic fittings and are ideal for use in cold climates. Plastic valves are not immune to corrosion and hence cannot be used where the base of the valve will be subject to constant exposure to moisture. For example, if you install a copper air-conditioning line set on your wall and it gets exposed to moisture, the copper may corrode and thus cease to serve your purpose. On the other hand, plastic fittings do not have the same advantage as the copper line sets that they are resistant to corrosion.
Plastic valve bodies can easily 'bleed' or punctured. This can severely reduce their life span and may even stop them from working altogether. The only way to ensure that plastic products do not fail prematurely is by ensuring that they are completely functional and have been properly installed. A good rule of thumb is that copper tubes must be installed by a professional and the plastic body fitting should also be done by a professional or at least an expert.
Plastic fittings come in a variety of different colors. Naturally, all these fixtures are not alike and hence, color selection must be carefully made. Plastic fixtures, however, tend to appear in various shades of blue, green, yellow or black. While green, blue or yellow plastic fixtures are suitable for bathrooms and kitchens, brass and copper tube fixtures are ideal for public bathrooms and kitchens. You may even select a combination of copper and brass to give your bathroom or kitchen that antique look.
Plastic plumbing valves and plastic line sets require special care and maintenance. Since plastic fittings are comparatively light, they tend to break or leak more easily than copper tube products primarily because of their small weight. They also require a lot of regular monitoring to ensure that they are not leaking. Regular monitoring helps in identifying possible water problems earlier and with more efficiency.
Several leading refrigeration and heating line manufacture such as Eureka, Kohler and Whirlpool have designed and manufactured a large variety of refrigeration valves and fittings for residential as well as commercial applications. These refrigeration products can be manufactured to meet the specifications and needs of every type of building. In addition, this line manufactures have extended their product range to include sanitary products that are suitable for medical institutions and other health care centers. Apart from refrigeration valves and fittings, they also manufacture other plastic products such as non-corrosive thermoplastic pipe fittings, plastic pipe ends, non-corrosive pipe sleeves, non-metallic tubing, plastic conduit, non-metallic tubing joints, plastic conduit fittings, vacuum valve boxes and plastic pump repair parts.