Water Pipes in Kenya

Water pipes in Kenya are available at Aqua Hub Ltd in rolls of diameter sizes from 16mm,25mm, 32 mm, 40mm, 50mm, 63mm,75mm,90mm, 110mm to 310 mm. Our available pipe sizes are mainly for irrigation and common domestic water supply purposes in residential homes and commercial buildings.

Different Types of Water Pipes in Kenya

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Pipes

PVC pipes are common for their application in irrigation and drainage systems. These types of pipes exist as cheaper alternatives to HDPE pipes. PVC pipes are non-reactive, robust, environmentally friendly and safe, therefore reliable for carrying water.

PVC Pipe Specs

• Made from Polyvinyl Chloride Plastic Polymers
• Often 6 m long
• Available in Pressure ranges of PN6, PN8, PN10, PN 12.5, PN 16, and PN 20. PN 20
• Colored in grey

Types

• CPVC (Chlorinated PVC) – withstands high temperature and are relied for supplying hot water.
• UPVC (unplasticized PVC) – reliable for supply of cold water

Uses of PVC Pipes

1. To carry irrigation water because of their compatibility to wide pressure ranges.
2. Are used in sewage waste transport
3. Drainage systems
4. Industrial waste or hazardous chemical transport
5. Applicable in rainwater management.

PVC Pipe Prices in Kenya

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) Pipes

HDPE pipes are popular due to their strong and efficient performance in water supply in irrigation, home and industrial needs. These water supply pipes are durable, very flexible and exhibit strong resistance to corrosion, adverse weather effects or mechanical damage.

HDPE Prices

Cost of 100m Roll PN6 HDPE Pipe

Specs of HDPE Pipes

• Made from HDPE polymers, enhanced with UV resistance
• Available in PN6 to PN25 (pressure compatibility)
• Our stocked HDPE pipes are 16mm diameter to 310mm diameter.
• Black with blue stripes.

Uses of HDPE Pipes

• Supply of irrigation water in farms
• To supply clean water in municipal or community water connections
• Draining sewage systems or waste.
• Industrial supply of gas and chemicals.

Hose Pipes

Hose Pipes are flexible tubes for water supply in farm, gardening, cleaning or industrial water needs. Various types include soaker hose, garden hose, industrial hose and expandable hose which offer efficient water supply in specific needs.

Specs

• Durable materials like reinforced rubber or polyurethane
• High-pressure resistance
• Specialized connectors for specific industries
• Highly flexible and easy use

Uses of Hose Pipes

• Used to water flowers, lawns and garden plants
• Firefighting systems due to their flexibility
• Applicable for high pressure cleaning of cars, patio and furniture.
• Supplying water to storage tanks, pools and dams.
• Draining of stagnant rainwater pools in compounds.
• Delivery pipes in irrigation systems.

PPR Specialized Pipes

Polyproylene Random Copolymer (PPR) pipes are pipes for special applications such as supply of hot water. They are also applicable but less popular in irrigation systems.

Features

• Resistance to chemical corrosion
• Can handle high temperature liquids
• Environmentally friendly nature
• Resistant to abrasion due to their inner smooth walls.

Applications

1. For hot water supply in residential or industrial needs
2. Lawn sprinkler connections
3. As risers or delivery pipes in sprinkler connections
4. As drainpipes in sinks or other domestic applications.

Driplines or Drip Tape

Drip lines or drip tapes are flexible Polyethylene (PE) water pipes with equally placed emitter holes to supply water to plants in a dripping manner. Drip tapes are flat but round tapes with thin surfaces of 0.3 or 0.4 mm.

Specs of drip tapes

• Diameter of 16mm
• Emitter spacing of either 15 cm, 20 cm or 30 cm.
• Thickness of 0.3 mm or 0.4mm
• Single or double emitter
• Pressure compensated or non-pressure compensated.
• Black and smooth surfaces.

Use of driplines

• Irrigation of high value greenhouse crops: tomato, capsicum, cucumber, and chilli.
• Watering field crops: beans, potatoes, corn, green peas, onion, garlic and sweet potato.
• Irrigate vegetables: Kales, spinach, cabbage, lettuce, and cowpeas.
• Fruit and tree irrigation: watermelon, strawberries, avocado tree, apples, citrus and pawpaw.
• Herbs; Okra, chives, moringa and spring onions.

What to Consider when Buying Water Pipes in Kenya

Water Needs (purpose of the Pipes): consider what you want to do with the pipes. Whether it is agricultural, domestic or industrial needs, a reliable pipe depends on the specific water requirements.

Pipe size: consider the pipe size(diameter) suitable to deliver the desired flow rate as per your needs.

Pipe length: the required pipe length depends on the distance of the point of water use from the source.

Durability: mind longevity or how long a specific pipe will last before it requires replacement. Go for durable pipes (HDPE) to handle tough water applications.

Ease of Installation: consider pipes that can join a wide range of fittings and pipe accessories.

Cost: in case of low budgets, you need to consider affordable pipes PVC are less costly than HDPE.

Type of Pipe Joints

Threaded Connection: It is the mechanical joint between threaded pipes or between a threaded pipe and threaded fitting.

Soldering: It is a joining process used to join different types of metals by melting solder.

Metal Heat Welding: It is a fabrication process that joins metals or thermoplastics by using high heat to melt the parts together.

Plastic Heat Welding: It is the process of creating a molecular bond between two thermoplastics.

Solvent Cement: It is either available in liquid or gel forms. They are used to join PVC pipes and other types of plastics. Solvent cement is very convenient to use.

Rubber Ring: In this technique, a fluid seal is provided by compressing a rubber ring housed in the socket of a pipe or fitting when the spigot is passed into the socket.

Crimping: Crimping is a device used to join two pieces of metal. Either or both the metals are deformed in this process to hold each other.

Snap-fit: It is an assembly method used to attach flexible parts, especially plastics to form the final product. The interlocking components of the parts are pushed together.

Compression: This technique is used to connect two pipes or a pipe and a fixture or valve

How to Install Water Pipes

HDPE Pipe Connection Methods

Butt fusion: involves heating HDPE pipe ends till they get molten and then joining them under high pressure and cooled to form a seamless joint.

Electrofusion: Joining HDPE Pipes using special fittings with built-in heating elements that use electric current to melt the pipe ends and create a strong joint.

Compression fittings: Contain threads to connect HDPE pipes for irrigation by compressing a gasket inside the fitting to create a tight seal.

PVC Pipe Connection

PVC Solvent or Cement Method: connecting PVC pipes by using a PVC cement that melts the surface the pipes and fuses them together after 30 seconds.

Fastener Connection: a technique to temporarily connect PVC pipes and fittings using screws. Offers a temporary connection and enhances reuse of fittings or easier pipe adjustment later.

Tips for Proper Installation of Water Supply Pipes

PVC Installation Tips

• Apply the ideal primer and cement when connecting PVC pipes.
• Give enough time for joint hardening before pressure tests are done.
• Always allocate expansion allowance gaps for temperature change
• Install pipes at least 12 inches deep to reduce UV effect and cold effect

HDPE Installation Tips

• Electrofusion welding is ideal for industrial applications.
• Consider expansion or contraction.
• Requires few supports due to the flexible nature of HDPE.

PPR Installation Tips

• Always use fusion welding machine at correct temperatures
• Allow proper cooling time between connections
• Support horizontal runs adequately
• Allow for thermal expansion

Benefits of HDPE Water Pipes over Other Pipes

• Resistance to Abrasion: HDPE pipes are highly resistant to wear, and tears thus can work under tough conditions.
• Corrosion Resistance: are made from non-corrosive materials, thus reliable for chemical and gas supply.
• Flexible: highly flexible nature makes them convenient for water supply around paths with objects.
• Easier to Install: they connect easily and securely through fittings or welding techniques to form strong joints.
• Wide range of uses: they are applicable in many water applications.
• Durability: due to their design from UV treated Polymers, they last for up to 50 years.