All About Pipe
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
PVC pipe has clearly become the material of choice in residential DWV applications.
PVC has excellent chemical resistance; good impact strength and crush resistance. It is resistant to fire (self-extinguishing). It’s functional up to a temp. of 120° F in pressure systems and to 180° F in drain, waste and vent (DWV) applications.
Schedule 40 and 80 is often used in pressure supply and drainage systems to carry water for uses such as golf-course sprinklers and agricultural irrigation, and in underground gas-distribution systems, industrial and chemical piping, corrosive fume ducting and crude-oil transportation.
PVC will not rust, pit or degrade when exposed to moisture and is extremely resistant to a broad range of corrosive agents.
This rigid pipe is available with pressure ratings of 50 to 315 psi. For pressure lines, PVC should be used for cold-water only. It is sometimes used for household cold water pipes when copper is impractical.
PVC comes in 10 or 20-foot lengths and common diameters; and it is joined with solvent cement. It is generally more resistant to crushing or puncturing than PE pipe, and it will stand slightly higher temperatures.
For DWV applications, several types are available.
- Schedule 40 is dual use pipe.
While it is rated for pressure, its most common use is for drainage where a more durable pipe is preferred.
- Foamcore
has a soft-center, is a similar gauge but is more economical, lighter weight, and is suitable for drainage only. It’s very popular for residential drainage installations.
Foamcore (Cellular core construction) involves the simultaneous extrusion of
at least three layers of material into the pipe wall: a solid outer layer, a
cellular core intermediate layer, and a solid inner layer.
- Schedule 3034
This pipe is thin-walled, and rated for drainage or conduit only, where it is shielded from impact.
PVC pipe is called solvent-weld pipe because it is most commonly joined with fittings glued together with solvent cement.
It can be cut with a hacksaw or cutoff saw, or with a heavy-duty tube cutter. When connecting to metal pipe, threaded fittings may be used, but generally these fittings are glued to the pipe and the pipe itself is not threaded, except for schedule 80.
Larger diameter pipe is connected with gasketed connections; this type is primarily used in underground drains. PVC is also used for ground drainage and is sold with or without perforations.
Keidel stocks PVC in the following sizes:
| Foamcore (DWV) |
½" to 4" x 20 ft., |
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| Schedule 40 (DWV) |
1½" to 8" x 20 ft. |
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| Schedule 40 (Pressure) |
½" to 1 ¼" x 20 ft. |
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| ASTM 3034 |
4" x10 ft. and 6" x 10 ft. lengths
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| Gasketed |
4" to15" x 13 ft. lengths |
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Dualwall S & D
solid pipe
perforated
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4" x 10 ft. lengths
4" x 10 ft. lengths
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