Plastic pipes play a critical role in water supply, wastewater discharge, irrigation, and industrial applications. They are durable and lightweight, but improper storage can weaken their structure before installation.
During pipe storage, many factors, including environmental exposure, physical stress, and poor handling, can reduce their lifespan and lead to unexpected failures. In order to extend the lifespan of the pipes, you will need proper pipe storage ideas to avoid big losses and maintain the pipe performance in applications.
Want to know how you can do pipe storage properly? Here’s a comprehensive guide.
How to Store Plastic Pipes Properly?
Proper pipe storage ideas are crucial for extending their lifespan, maintaining performance, and ensuring safe use. The following are detailed pipe storage ideas, covering storage locations, stacking methods, protective measures, and storage period management.
1. Choose a Suitable Storage Location
Selecting the right storage area is the first step in pipe stacking. A well-maintained environment reduces the risk of deformation, material breakdown, and contamination. Here are the things you need to consider at this stage:
- Ideal Storage Environment: A dry, ventilated, and dark space is an ideal environment for pipe storage. It can prevent corrosion or mold caused by moisture while also preventing ultraviolet radiation from aging and becoming brittle in pipes.
- Temperature and Humidity Control: Extreme fluctuations in temperature can cause plastic pipes to crack or warp. Thus, for the outdoor environment, waterproof cloth and sunshade can be used for covering.
- Fire Prevention and Sun Protection: Plastic pipes are flammable materials. Thus, storage areas should be kept away from sources of fire and heat. Plastic pipe storage points should also be equipped with fire-prevention devices to prevent unexpected situations. Meanwhile, sun protection measures such as sunshades and awnings are essential to prevent damage from ultraviolet rays.
2. Stacking Method
Poorly organized stack of pipes is one of the leading causes of deformation in plastic pipes. Following right stacking practices prevents unnecessary stress on the material and ensures safety during retrieval. Here is how you can stack the pipes:
- Classified Stacking: Pipes should be categorized by size, use, and material to prevent hassle movement and retrieval.
- Horizontal Stacking: Storing pipes in a horizontal position minimizes the risk of bending or ovalization. Supports should be placed at consistent intervals to maintain structural stability.
- Height Control: Excessive pipe stacking height increases the pressure on lower pipes, leading to potential deformation. It’s recommended to use wooden pads or brackets to separate each layer.
- Use of Shelves: Use proper pipe storage racks or shelves that can give the pipes better support and stability. This approach also makes inventory management more organized and accessible.
3. Protective Measures
Even in controlled environments, external factors can compromise the condition of stored plastic pipes. Implementing protective measures in your pipe store prevents damage from physical impact, contamination, or chemical exposure. Here are the things you need to consider at this stage of tubing storage:
- Avoiding Collisions: Sudden impacts may create surface cracks that weaken the pipe structure. Therefore, extra caution should be taken during the handling and stacking process. Moreover, storing pipes in a secure location with minimal foot traffic reduces accidental damage.
- Keeping Pipes away from Corrosive Substances: Exposure to chemicals like acids, alkalis, and solvents can accelerate material degradation. This means that the pipe storage areas should be free from such substances to maintain the integrity of the pipes.
4. Storage Period
Plastic pipes are not immune to aging even under optimal storage conditions. Thus, reasonable pipe storage period management helps ensure the quality and safety of plastic pipes. Here are some things you need to consider:
- The Principle of “First In, First Out”: Using older stock first and then newer arrivals ensures that pipes do not sit in storage for extended periods, which avoids material deterioration and waste.
- Regular Inspection: Periodic inspection for signs of wear, warping, or contamination allows early identification of potential issues before installation. Damaged pipes should be removed from inventory to prevent installation failures.
Where to Buy New High-quality Plastic Pipes?
After understanding the correct method of plastic pipe storage, we can not only effectively extend the lifespan of the pipes but also ensure their performance and safety during use. However, choosing high-quality pipe products is equally important, as high-quality materials are the foundation for the long-term stable operation of pipe systems.
In this regard, LESSO is a trusted manufacturer of plastic pipes designed for a wide range of applications, including residential plumbing, municipal engineering, home improvement, and agriculture.
Our products are built to meet strict international standards. Known for durability, corrosion resistance, and ease of installation, LESSO pipes provide reliable solutions for water supply, drainage, and electrical conduit systems. We put a special focus on innovation so that our piping solutions align with modern infrastructure needs while offering excellent long-term performance!
Any Questions? Let Us Help
Here are some frequently asked questions about pipe storage that will help you better understand how to store them:
1. Do the Sockets of the Pipes Need to be Staggered?
Yes, this is because if the sockets are all facing in the same direction, the pipe may roll, shift, and even cause socket damage when subjected to external forces or its own weight. Therefore, when storing pipelines, it is usually necessary to stagger the sockets of the pipes.
2. How Long Can Plastic Pipes be Stored Outdoors?
While plastic pipes can withstand environmental factors to some extent, prolonged outdoor storage can degrade their material quality. Direct exposure to sunlight, fluctuating temperatures, and moisture can cause brittleness and deformation.
If outdoor storage is unavoidable, it won’t cause large damage to store plastic pipes outdoors for several months when covered with UV-resistant tarps and kept off the ground.
3. How to Check Whether Plastic Pipes Stored for a Long Time are Qualified?
Before using plastic pipes that have been stored for an extended period, a few quality checks can help assess their usability. Some important checks include visual inspection, flexibility test, impact resistance test, and pressure test.
Wrapping-Up
Proper pipe storage is essential for maintaining durability, preventing material degradation, and ensuring long-term performance. Moreover, choosing good quality pipes is equally important. LESSO provides high-quality residential, industrial, or agricultural pipes. We are committed to manufacturing efficient and long-lasting piping systems. Contact us now to custom a solution for your projects!
