Hello everyone,
last Friday, during our meeting with the general contractor, the topic of water pipes came up by chance. He mentioned that he has been installing plastic pipes for years because they are affordable and considered relatively safe. Stainless steel pipes are not an option for us due to a nickel allergy. Now I wanted to ask: do you actually know what type of pipes are installed in your home? Specifically, which kind of plastic? Can we rely on the fact that in Germany only plastic pipes that are safe for health are used? I guess it would be PVC-C or PEX, right? Or could it be PB pipes?
After all, the water supply pipe on our property is also plastic (looks like a blue PE pipe, probably HDPE?).
Best regards from Swabia
annab377
last Friday, during our meeting with the general contractor, the topic of water pipes came up by chance. He mentioned that he has been installing plastic pipes for years because they are affordable and considered relatively safe. Stainless steel pipes are not an option for us due to a nickel allergy. Now I wanted to ask: do you actually know what type of pipes are installed in your home? Specifically, which kind of plastic? Can we rely on the fact that in Germany only plastic pipes that are safe for health are used? I guess it would be PVC-C or PEX, right? Or could it be PB pipes?
After all, the water supply pipe on our property is also plastic (looks like a blue PE pipe, probably HDPE?).
Best regards from Swabia
annab377
N
nordanney17 Jan 2021 17:25annab377 schrieb:
He said he has been installing plastic pipes for years because they are inexpensive and also basically safe. Pure plastic pipes? Those are basically DIY-store products for homeowners. Professionally, aluminum composite pipes are used. These are available from all major plumbing manufacturers (for example, Viega, Uponor, or Geberit are commonly preferred). These are usually PE-XC/Al/PE-XC pipes, or PE-RT as well.
annab377 schrieb:
Specifically, which type of plastic? Can one rely on the fact that in Germany only plastic pipes that are safe for health are installed? Probably PVC-C or PE-X, right? Yes, no matter which pipes are used—even the ones from DIY stores—they are all harmless.
annab377 schrieb:
Or are PB pipes used? Definitely not lead pipes!!!
Alternatively, copper pipes can also be used. However, composite pipes are much easier to work with.
annab377 schrieb:
Stainless steel pipes are not an option for us due to a nickel allergy. They are also not commonly used in single-family homes. There is no reason to use them in that case.