When you need to lay down a new section of drain or replace a damaged pipe, it helps to have a clear view of which material will work best for your project beforehand. Two of the most common materials used for sewerage pipes are plastic and clay. In this blog, we’ll consider the pros and cons of each.
Older houses tend to have sewer pipes made from clay or cast iron. Drainage experts will still lay clay pipes now. Some of the main reasons to use clay pipes are:
– They are highly inert and resist degradation from chemicals over time.
– They last really well.
– They have a high degree of structural integrity and therefore resist flattening under a load.
However, clay pipes are also expensive to install, more expensive to replace and hard to cut. They are heavy, naturally prone to clogging and tree roots can attach to the porous surface of the clay, which can lead to pipe damage. There’s no reason to replace an old clay sewer pipe if it’s working well though.
Plastic pipes
Plastic or PVC pipes are very popular nowadays. Drainage experts will usually carry out CCTV drainage surveys Alcester to assess the site before making a decision. Plastic pipes are:
– Light and easy to handle and install
– Strong, so they don’t break or crack easily
– Flexible
– Durable, so they don’t need many repairs.
– Have a very smooth interior surface, so matter can flow through them easily.
The first step to assessing what you need is usually to organise local CCTV drainage surveys in Alcester to check the site before weighing up the pros and cons of which type of sewer pipe will be best for your site and project.