PVC pipes are a popular component for plumbing work these days. Many homeowners don’t really want to know how they work, they just want to know that they do work. Well, for everyone out there that thinks like this, PVC pipes absolutely work, as long as you’re not using them for hot water. Just contact our team for your repiping needs and we’ll get to work!
For everyone else, PVC pipes can be cheap and easy to install for a variety of different reasons. This blog post is going to be dedicated to the pros and cons of PVC piping, how it’s made, and why plumbers continue to use it for many plumbing jobs.
If you’re not as acquainted with PVC piping, let this be your entryway to the industry. We’ll show you everything you’ll need to know about this kind of plumbing equipment! We even provide 24-hour plumbing in Delray Beach, FL if you need help right now.
What Is PVC Piping?
PVC stands for Polyvinyl Chloride, and it’s a type of plastic that is cheap to produce and extremely durable. Have you ever looked underneath someone’s sink and noticed a white-colored plastic pipe that was smooth and wide? That’s what PVC is and your home plumbing project might be a perfect place to invest in PVC piping.
The Pros of PVC
PVC is one of the most affordable materials on the market. This makes it an easy choice for homeowners that are on a strict budget but still require comprehensive plumbing work to be done. This is good news, because not only is PVC affordable, but it’s also extremely long-lasting when compared to other types of plastics. It’ll last at least 10 years if you get it regularly maintained.
PVC is also great for drain systems and main water lines. Since it’s more affordable to manufacture, you can easily get wider PVC pipes than you would be able to with copper or galvanized steel, meaning you can get wide, smooth drains for your sinks at a more affordable price.
The Cons of PVC
The greatest nemesis of PVC piping is copper. Copper is able to withstand hot water temperatures far above what PVC can handle. PVC just isn’t designed to handle hot temperatures, and if you’ve got a water line that connects to a boiler or hot water heater, then you’re not going to be able to use PVC.
Also, PVC is plastic, which means it’s just not going to last as long as materials like copper or galvanized steel. This isn’t a bad thing, since the affordable cost of PVC outweighs the few years of time you might need to replace it before a copper pipe. Also, PVC pipes can still last over a decade, so it’s still considered a long-term solution for many plumbing needs. But, to be completely transparent, if you’re looking for the most durable and long-lasting pipe materials, PVC probably isn’t going to be your first choice.
