You may have seen these pipes but don’t know what they are called. Less common pipes, which are not commonly used in homes, are asbestos cement pipe and the concrete pipe.
Learn the difference between these two pipes in this post.
Asbestos Cement Pipe
Asbestos cement pipe, as the name implies, is made from silica, cement, and asbestos. It is created under pressure to create dense homogeneous material. First, asbestos fiber is mixed with cement. Then the process starts.
You can purchase asbestos cement pipes in diameters ranging from 4 inches to 36 inches with 13-ft length. These pipes are built with different grades, with a maximum grade that can handle 200 psi pressure.
Special coupling is needed to connect the asbestos pipe, which consists of rubber rings and pipe sleeves. The pipe is resistant to corrosion as well as the joints.
This type of pipe is a bit lighter than concrete pipes. This can also be joined with a different type of pipe like the cast-iron pipe. It is joined using sulfur compounds or a lead.
The downsides of this pipe are the following:
– exposure to petroleum and gasoline products may deteriorate the rubber joints
– can be damaged by excavating tools
– not good at bending
– low-pressure water only
The Plumber in Leawood, KS advises everyone to hire a professional plumber for their plumbing system, to ensure the efficacy of the materials used.
Concrete Pipe
This type of pipe can be purchased in different sizes, with a diameter of 24 up to 72 inches. Some special pe-orders can also be 180 inches in diameter, especially those big and special projects.
This is usually joined using a mortar caulked bell and spigot joint. If this pipe is used under high pressure, a different lock joint is used.
The lifespan of the concrete pipe is from 35 years and could last up to 50 years. Rusts cannot penetrate the concrete pipes. The required maintenance costs less as well compared to other pipes.
No matter how sturdy this pipe may seem, it has downsides. The downsides of this pipe are the following:
– rapid deterioration when flowed with alkaline water
– subject to sulfide corrosion when used in wastewater
– heavy material
– hard to transport
– difficult to repair
Now that you know the difference between these two pipes, it is much easier to determine which one must be used for a certain purpose. However, always call a professional if you need pipelining to ensure the safety and efficacy of your plumbing system.
Plumbing Professionals 