{"id":1224,"date":"2021-09-06T10:14:46","date_gmt":"2021-09-06T10:14:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/?p=1224"},"modified":"2023-04-14T09:45:52","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T09:45:52","slug":"is-pvc-a-safe-choice-for-your-plumbing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/is-pvc-a-safe-choice-for-your-plumbing\/","title":{"rendered":"Is PVC A Safe Choice For Your Plumbing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Plumbing can be a challenging and overwhelming task, especially when it comes to selecting suitable pipes. While copper has been the primary piping material for the last 70 years, there are currently several piping options for residential plumbing. In particular, polyvinyl chloride pipes have become a common alternative and replaced metal piping. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
PVC pipes are safe for transportation of drinking water due to their resistance to resistance to corrosion and a high degree of inertness. They, therefore, contain no bio-film contamination, which can lead to the growth of bacteria. <\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Natural PVC is rigid and brittle, and when combined with additives plasticizers, it becomes more malleable and resistant. It is this flexibility, strength, and durability, which make PVC the most common piping material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PVC or polyvinyl chloride is a chlorinated hydrocarbon polymer used across a broad range of applications, including electrical\/electronic, building, transportation, packaging, and healthcare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They are used in several applications, including offering drainage solutions, transportation of drinking water, and advanced fire-sprinkler systems, to name a few. <\/p>\n\n\n\n PVC is usually mixed with several special additives that change several features like weather fastness, mechanical properties, and color in a process called compounding. PVC is a highly versatile polymer thanks to its compatibility with many different kinds of additives. Below are common additives used in PVC:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All PVCs are mixed with heat stabilizers to protect them from decomposing when subjected to high heat and shear during manufacturing. Due to their high heat resistance levels, they boost PVC’s ability to withstand daylight and heating when in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The type of heat stabilizer largely depends on the technical requirements of the final PVC product, the cost, and the regulatory approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lubricants are added to PVC to reduce friction during processing. Internal lubricants reduce friction between PVC granules, while external lubricants reduce friction between the PVC and the manufacturing equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A plasticizer is added to PVC to make it more resilient, flexible, and easier to handle. The choice of the plasticizer is determined by the final product and its application. Phthalate is the most common plasticizer available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phthalate plasticizers are found in many products used in everyday life, including toys, stationery, packaging, electrical cables, footwear, and medical devices, to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also specialty plasticizers like citrates, adipates, trimeliltates, and benzoates that are added in PVC to achieve certain physical properties like increased flexibility and heat resistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to PVC and CPVC, there are multiple other plumbing materials. Other plumbing materials used include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While CPVC (chlorinated poly (vinyl chloride) is very similar to PVC, the two should not be confused for each other nor used interchangeably. Like PVC, CPVC is a strong and rigid thermoplastic material that can be molded into various shapes. However, CPVC has more chlorine compared to PVC and is also very strong. CPVC is made through a free radical chlorination reaction that increases the chlorine content of the final product beyond that of PVC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CPVC is highly immune to damage caused by highly chlorinated water and can withstand higher temperatures compared to PVC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many building codes in the US require the use of CPVC instead of PVC due to the former\u2019s resilience to high temperatures. CPVC can also be used in all application that requires the use of copper. However, CPVC is much preferred compared to copper due to a number of reasons. The smooth interior of CPVC means that the water flows smoothly through the plumbing system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Moreover, CPVC is more flexible than metal, extremely fire resistant, and well insulated to prevent energy loss. Common applications include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n PEX is a flexible plastic material made from medium- or high-density polyethylene. Due to its high flexibility, PEX pipes can bend around corners and easily be snaked through your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PEX can expand and contract faster than CPVC, which makes it ideal for use in freezing conditions. You also don’t need to glue to stick multiple PEX sections together, making installation much easier and faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PEX piping has been used for hydronic radiant heating and in hot- and cold-water distribution systems in Europe for decades. It is also preferred for remodeling projects due to its high flexibility, making it easy to bend around the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PEX can be connected using compression or stab-in fittings and can even be sliced into other pipes, making them ideal for retrofits and additions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common applications of PEX include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also known as HDPE pipes, High-Density Polybutylene pipes are some of the most common underground piping materials. They are also used in multiple plumbing activities thanks to their durability, versatility, and ability to resist corrosion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some codes require the use of HDPE instead of PVC in many underground piping systems. HDPE pipes are also very flexible and require fewer joints during installation. The flexibility also makes HDPE pipe easy to handle during installation compared to other brittle polymers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n HDPE pipes have been used for decades, mainly in non-potable water applications. They have welded joints which eliminates the need for separate fittings, which usually increases the rate of leaks and contaminant infiltration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Copper is one of the most traditional plumbing materials, having been in use since the 1960s. It is used in many applications thanks to its durability, heat, and corrosion resistance. Copper pipes come in two main types;<\/p>\n\n\n\n Copper does not release particles in water, making it a perfect piping solution for drinking water. Its main drawback is its cost. It is one of the most expensive piping materials and is always at a high risk of vandalism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Main applications of copper pipes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Galvanized piping is steel or iron piping that has been coated with zinc to prevent rusting. These pipes have been used in residential plumbing for decades and are mainly used to transport water as gas causes erosion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While piping and plumbing are the most common applications, the galvanized metal is also used in several other applications, including construction. The main advantage of the use of galvanized steel is its anti-rust and long-lasting features. Its applications include;<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Are Polyvinyl Chloride Pipes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
PVC and Additives<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Heat stabilizers <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Lubricants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Plasticizers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Other plumbing options<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Cross-linked polyethylene (PEX)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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High-Density Polybutylene Pipes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Copper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Galvanized steel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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