in the construction of water supply and drainage or outdoor pipe network, many people will ask: can PE pipe be installed? After all, compared with concealed installation, surface installation construction is simpler and maintenance is more convenient, but will the material characteristics of PE pipe limit its surface installation application? Today we will answer this question in detail and help you clarify the feasibility and key precautions of PE pipe surface installation.

PE pipe (polyethylene pipe) is a commonly used plastic pipe. It is widely used in water supply, drainage, gas and other fields due to its corrosion resistance, good flexibility, light weight and convenient connection. But it has a "soft spot" - it is more sensitive to ultraviolet rays, and long-term exposure to sunlight will accelerate aging, resulting in brittle pipes and reduced strength. This is also the core reason why many people worry about surface installation.

Can the PE pipe be installed on the surface? The answer is: it can be installed on the surface, but two major challenges need to be solved - ultraviolet aging and mechanical damage.

First of all, ultraviolet aging. If ordinary PE pipes are installed in the open air for a long time, the polyethylene molecules on the pipe wall will be damaged by ultraviolet rays, gradually lose flexibility, and may crack or even break after a few years. The solution is very direct: either choose "outdoor special PE pipe" (adding anti-ultraviolet agents such as carbon black, the weather resistance is greatly improved), or put a layer of sunscreen sleeve on ordinary PE pipes (such as PVC or aluminum foil material, which can effectively block ultraviolet rays).

Next is mechanical damage. The PE pipe installed on the surface has no wall or ground protection, and is easily collided by pedestrians, rubbed by tools or pressed by heavy objects, resulting in damage and leakage. The way to deal with it is not difficult: fix it with a special PE pipe card or bracket, and the spacing is controlled at 1-1.5 meters to avoid the pipe sagging and shaking; try to stick the pipe to the wall or hide it in the green belt to reduce the chance of human contact.

In addition, pay attention to avoid high temperature environments - the softening temperature of PE pipes is about 80 ° C. If it is installed next to the kitchen stove, above the radiator or on the roof exposed to the sun in summer, it may be deformed due to high temperature. If it is an indoor surface installation, as long as it is away from heat sources; if it is an outdoor surface installation, try to choose a cool location or insulate the pipe.

In fact, there are many cases of PE pipe surface installation in life: for example, outdoor water supply pipes for rural self-built houses, buried to surface pipes for garden irrigation, as long as anti-ultraviolet pipes are used and fixed, it will be no problem for 10-15 years; but if ordinary PE pipes are directly exposed to the sun on the roof, they may age and crack in 3-5 years.

To sum up: PE pipes can be surface installed, but not "casually installed" - outdoor surface installed anti-ultraviolet pipes + sunscreen sleeves, indoor surface installed heat source + fixed, can be used safely.

Finally, remind: Although the surface installation is convenient to maintain, regular inspections cannot be less - for example, every year to see if the pipe has cracks, pipe cards are loose, early detection of problems and early treatment can prolong the service life of PE pipes.