What Are PVC Pipes and What Are They Used For?

Your plumbing consists of a large network of pipes, and chances are good that at least some of them are made of PVC. PVC is a widely used polymer in both commercial and residential applications. But what are PVC pipes, and how are they used in home plumbing? Our guide breaks it all down.

What Are PVC Pipes?

Polyvinyl chloride, better known as PVC, is a man-made hydrocarbon polymer and one of the most utilized plumbing materials in the world. While this material is often used in furniture, flooring, and medical tubing, its most widespread use is in pipe manufacturing. 

PVC is a rigid and brittle base material, making it unsuitable for many types of pipework. Instead, most U.S. manufacturers combine it with different additives to make it more durable. The nature of these additives produces several different types of PVC pipe.

The most commonly used type of PVC in pipework is plasticized PVC. Plasticization is the process of adding bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates to base PVC to soften the material enough to make it more flexible. It’s easier to snake a flexible PVC pipe through a channel than a pipe made from unplasticized PVC, or uPVC.

PVC vs. CPVC vs. UPVC

While you’ve probably heard of PVC, it might surprise you to know that there are a few different types of PVC, and they’re not all created equal.

• PVC: PVC, as we commonly know it, is actually polyvinyl chloride mixed with plasticizers to reduce its rigidity and make it more flexible, making it more suited to piping.

• CPVC: This type of PVC is created with the addition of chlorine. This addition makes it stronger and better able to stand up to higher temperatures. As a result, this type of PVC piping is common for HVAC (heating, cooling, and ventilation) lines that carry hot water. It’s also used in industrial applications where a higher heat tolerance is needed.

• UPVC: Without plasticization, UPVC is the most rigid form of PVC. Called unplasticized PVC, or UPVC, it is more commonly used in construction.  

What Are the Uses of PVC Pipes?

PVC pipes are popular because they are durable and sturdy. These qualities lead to multiple residential, industrial, and municipal applications.

Water Transit

The most significant and widespread use of PVC pipes concerns water transit through plumbing systems. PVC pipe manufacturing for water transit is strictly regulated, owing to how widely used they are.

Due to regulations, manufacturers will increase the chlorine content of base PVC when creating pipes for potable water. These chlorinated PVC pipes (PVC-C) have a greater resistance to higher temperatures and corrosion. PVC-C’s inherent resistance to oxidative degradation means it can last longer without transferring rust or chemicals into drinking water.  

Waste Management

PVC pipes play a vital role in handling and controlling waste materials. Sinks, toilets, and manufacturing equipment all use PVC pipes in their vents and drain systems. Sewers and other municipal wastewater removal systems rely on PVC pipes because of their flexibility, corrosion resistance, and resistance to microbiological film growth. 

Chemical Handling and Delivery

Along with being able to withstand abrasion and corrosion, PVC pipes can handle many chemicals that metals cannot, such as hydrochloric acid. In addition, the chlorine content of PVC pipes gives them increased resistance to chemical degradation and fire spread in the event of a flammable material accident.      

Building Infrastructure

PVC pipes can transfer more than just liquids. One of the most significant uses of PVC pipes in building infrastructure is HVAC and exhaust work. Thanks to its increased insulation and durability, PVC duct or PVC-C duct is commonly used in air conditioning and heating systems. In addition, the demand for lower-cost building materials has caused a rise in the use of PVC for HVAC and other ventilation systems.  

The Benefits of PVC Pipes

There are many reasons why PVC is widely regarded as one of the most useful construction materials. The most significant is its durability, especially plasticized PVC. PVC pipes can withstand high pressure, temperature fluctuations, and numerous chemical applications. 

Another major benefit of using PVC pipes is how budget-friendly they are. Choosing PVC can lower your pipe replacement cost significantly. PVC pipes cost roughly $0.50 to $3 per linear foot. Compare that to copper pipes at $2 to $12 per linear foot and you can see the budget-friendliness of PVC. 

If you want to install or replace pipes in your plumbing, it’s hard to go wrong with PVC pipes. They can handle virtually any task that involves moving water, last for up to 50 years, and fit any budget. For your next plumbing project, get in touch with a local plumbing repair specialist to ensure a smooth installation of your PVC pipes.   

PVC Pipe Sizes

Though you can find PVC pipes in various diameters, the two primary sizes are schedule 40 and schedule 80. The difference between the two lies in their pressure ratings, with schedule 80 pipes able to withstand more pressure than schedule 40 thanks to their thicker walls. 

Schedule 40 PVC pipes commonly see use in residential drain systems, as the wastewater in domestic lines isn’t under any significant pressure. However, industrial, municipal, and chemical applications require schedule 80 PVC pipes because they require liquids and other materials to travel under high pressure.

How to Tell If You Have PVC Pipes in Your Home  

PVC has a distinct look—it’s a rigid white plastic. PVC pipes can vary in diameter, but they are hard to the touch and not flexible. Different lengths can be joined with connectors or capped depending on the required length and purpose. To tell if you have PVC pipes in your home, you can look under your kitchen or bathroom sink, behind your washing machine, and around your water heater to see if the piping is made of PVC.