We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
About Mechanics

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

What is a Supply Pipe?

By B. Turner
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
AboutMechanics is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At AboutMechanics, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

A supply pipe is a plumbing line that is used to supply water to fixtures throughout homes and commercial buildings. These supply lines may connect to plumbing fixtures such as sinks, showers, bathtubs, toilets, and outdoor hose connectors. Together, the supply pipes and a second set of return or wastewater piping make up a complete plumbing system.

The water that runs through a supply pipe enters the home through a main water line, which is equipped with some form of shut-off valve or meter. Once the water enters the home, the supply pipe splits into two separate piping systems. One passes through the hot water heater to create hot water while the other continues through the home to carry cold water to the plumbing fixtures.

There are a number of different types of plumbing systems that include various water supply lines. The most basic is a looped system, where a single supply pipe carries water to all fixtures on all floors of the home. Branched systems are more complex, and consist of a main supply line that has branched off into separate floors or areas using multiple pipes.

Supply pipe can be made from a number of different materials depending on the application. Copper piping is one of the most common, and is primarily used for domestic water distribution. Copper is securely joined together using soldered fittings and requires very little maintenance over time. One major drawback to copper piping is its high cost. This material can also be difficult for novice installers to use properly due to the soldering that is required.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is another popular option, though it can only be used for cold water. Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) supply piping can be used for water up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). Both PVC and CPVC are very affordable and easy to install, but generally require more maintenance than copper.

Piping used in water supply lines must posses certain features to ensure it can safely transport water. The piping must be clean and non-reactive so that it won't contaminate or change the flavor of the water. It must also be installed correctly so that it won't leak, and should be sized properly to maintain steady pressure. Pipes that are sized too large will not be able to carry water over a long distance. Those sized too small may burst or leak due to high pressure levels within the pipe.

AboutMechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By Perdido — On Aug 14, 2011

I rent a home that I’m guessing has a looped pipe system because of the way it behaves. It seems that the dishwasher, sink, washer, and bathtub are all connected.

When I wash a load of clothes, water often bubbles up into the sink. It makes a loud glugging noise, and it disappears once the cycle is complete.

The same thing happens when I use the dishwasher. The water pushes up through the drain in the sink, making loud gurgling sounds.

The first time I heard it, I was very alarmed. I thought one of the appliances was tearing up, or the sink was about to spew forth a flood of water.

By Oceana — On Aug 13, 2011

I live in an older house that was built in the sixties. I’m not sure what kind of piping it has, but I have a suspicion that it is affecting the taste of our water.

Though the water has never been brown or had any physical appearance to suggest that it is contaminated, it has an odd flavor. It kind of tastes like old, stale pizza. It sounds like a crazy thing to say, but when I said it to my brother, he snickered and then agreed with me.

We got a water filter that we attach to the faucet. We simply turn a switch to activate it, and it provides us with good drinking water. I don’t use it for washing dishes or my hands, because the filter only works for so long before you have to replace it. I only use it for things we will be consuming, like ice cubes and coffee pot water.

AboutMechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

AboutMechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.