| Pipe Type |
Description |
Cutting Tool |
Joining Method |
Photo |
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Water Supply
| Rigid Copper Pipe |
The dominant water piping material today, copper
pipe is usually joined with soldered (sweat) fittings. |
Wheel cutter, hacksaw |
Sweat or compression fittings |
 |
| Soft
Copper Pipe |
Used primarily for natural gas
and propane but also for water, this pipe is allowed
under concrete. |
Wheel cutter, hacksaw |
Compression, solder,
or flare fittings |
 |
| Chrome Copper Tubing |
This flexible piping is used as fixture water supply
tubes between fixtures and permanent piping. |
Wheel cutter, hacksaw |
Compression fittings |
 |
| Flexible
Braided Steel Supply Line |
This flexible piping, often used
as fixture supply tubing, is easier to use than chromed
copper tubing. |
Fixed length |
Factory installed
fittings |
 |
| Chrome Ribbed Copper
Pipe |
Available only as fixture supply tubing, the ribbed
section of this pipe makes it easy to bend. |
Can't cut |
Compression fittings |
 |
| CPVC
Pipe |
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
plastic water piping was created to replace rigid copper,
Does not meet all local codes. |
Wheel cutter, hacksaw,
or scissor cutter |
PVC cement or compression
or crimp ring fittings |
 |
| Pex Pipe |
Cross linked polyethylene plastic pipe is a flexible
piping material gaining acceptance for in house water
systems. It requires few fittings. |
Scissor tool, hacksaw |
Several brands of proprietary fittings |
 |
| Galvanized
Steel Pipe |
Once used for in house water systems,
steel pipe is now used mostly in repair situations. |
Wheel cutter and
threading dies |
Threaded fittings |
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Gas
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