Measuring and Using Steel Pipe

When you think of pipes, you probably think of something industrial—the pipes that are buried underneath our roads, businesses, and houses that transport things like water or natural gas from one place to another. If you are considering a project that involves steel pipe, it’s best if you have a basic understanding of the different types and sizes of steel pipe available so you can get the correct one for your needs.

Common Types of Steel Pipe
There are two common types of steel pipes that are used almost interchangeably—galvanized steel and wrought iron. Both have great corrosion resistance and look similar, so they are often used in place of one another. For most plumbing and other projects the one you choose will depend on what is available from Wasatch Steel and what sizes you need to complete the job.

Steel Pipe Sizes
When you are planning to use steel pipes you need to know how to get the size that will work for your project. The right steel pipe size from the steel supermarket ensures that it will fit in the area where you plan to use it, and it has the appropriate diameter to transport the materials that will pass through it regularly without causing too much pressure build-up, which can lead to burst pipes.

The diameter of steel pipes comes in a wide variety of sizes, ranging from just ⅛ of an inch all the way to 20 inches or more. When measuring steel pipe, the measurement listed is for the interior diameter—remember that the exterior diameter will be slightly larger depending on how thick the walls of the pipe are. It is available in ⅛ inch increments up to ½ inch, then in ¼ and ½ inch increments up to 5 inches, then even inches up to 20.

Common Uses for Steel Pipe
Steel pipe can be used for a wide variety of things, including underground lines, as well as cold water and hot water plumbing. You can also use steel pipe for natural gas or other underground transport systems into and out of a home or business.

Creative Uses for Steel Pipe
You don’t have to limit yourself to just the most common ways to use steel pipe. In fact, with the variety of sizes and styles to choose from at Wasatch Steel, it’s the perfect place to get creative with this material.

• Use wide steel pipes to create outdoor planters in your yard, cut to various heights
• Use very large steel pipes fastened together (and painted) to create a DIY shoe rack 
• Use smaller steel pipes to build shelving or as the support for tables and shelves around your house
• Create unique door handles or chandeliers with steel pipe

If you need some help finding just the right steel pipe for your next project, come to the steel supermarket at Wasatch Steel. We have all the shapes and sizes you need, including the materials to put it together. We can even cut it to your exact specifications to save you time and hassle. See what we have to offer in steel pipe today.