Plumbing has come a long way in the last 2,000 years. Yes, Ancient Romans are famous for their aqueducts, surely one of mankind’s greatest inventions, but what we must also remember is that those same Romans were the first civilization to transport water with the use of lead, a toxin. Now, as it turns out, the Romans lucked out by having high calcium content in their drinking water, which coated their pipes and kept them safe (the same could not be said about their lead cookware, unfortunately).
Since that time, humans have gone through many different materials to convey their water. Wood was used in Britain and Early America, for example. Concrete has been used, a material that Romans would have approved of. In modern America, copper has long been the choice, but with the ever-rising cost of copper that may be finally changing.
Enter stainless steel, an American classic.
More and more, homeowners, businesses, and contractors alike are heading to steel pipe supply companies for their water conveyance needs. Surprisingly, they cite cost, among many other things, as one of their main reasons for changing. Stainless steel pipe prices may not be the same as copper, but as any contractor will tell you, many factors go into the final cost of a product.
First off, steel pipe is lighter than copper, so transporting it is cheaper. The initial savings here may be minimal, but for contractors who make repeated trips to steel pipe supply companies, this means big savings. Contractors will also be quick to note that stainless steel pipe is less likely to be stolen by worksite thieves, who have become a real nuisance to anyone installing copper in the last decade or so.
Home and business owners will also be happy to know that stainless steel pipe prices also lessen over the long term, for many reasons. Stainless steel pipes require no coating, yet it resists both internal and external corrosion, meaning that it will last longer and require fewer repairs and replacements.
Stainless steel’s sturdiness also means that it can be laid over longer stretches than copper, a benefit of particular interest to owners of larger buildings. Longer pipes mean fewer connections, and fewer connections mean less leaking and less overall maintenance.
Stainless steel also has a lower coefficient of friction, meaning it yields higher water pressure at the point of use and is safer for drinking, with any leaching chemicals well below recommended limits.
And if these cost-reducing and health factors aren’t enough, business and home owners will be happy to know that stainless steel is completely recyclable material. After its use, or if a piece needs to be replaced, the old pipe may be sold to recoup some of its original cost.
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