All About Pipe
Plastic Pipe
In residential construction, plastic pipe is widely used for drain, waste and vent (DWV) pipe. The smooth inner surface means fewer clogs, and, when used underground, it’s impervious to chemicals that would ordinarily corrode cast iron and copper.
Plastic pipe is available in flexible, semi-rigid, and rigid forms. Flexible pipe is commonly used for underground water piping because of installation ease and economy.
It is sold in coils of 100 feet or more, 1/2 inch or more in diameter. Water supply lines are typically ¼" to 1" in diameter
(Note: building codes often prohibit the use of plastic pipe for water supply lines in residential construction. Check your local buidling codes to see if it is allowed before using.)
Solvent welded, or glued, plastic semi-rigid pipe has all but replaced copper for DWV applications due to quality improvement over the years, its economical cost and ease of installation. Adapters are readily available that enable remodelers to connect plastic pipe to existing metal plumbing.
Depending on the chemical composition of the pipe, pieces are joined with a coupler sealed with pipe cement. This cement creates a chemically fused bond between coupling and pipe that is as strong as the pipe itself. The exception is PE, which cannot be welded with cement.
There are several classes of plastic pipe and fittings:
- Acrylonitrile Butadene Styrene (ABS)
- Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride (CPVC)
- Polybutylene (PB)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
- Polypropylene
- Vinyl tubing
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