The Benefits of Using CPVC Piping Systems

  

There are a number of benefits to using CPVC piping systems. This explains why CPVC pipe has become one of the most common forms of piping used today. Let’s address some of the benefits of using CPVC piping.

The Low Price

The initial CPVC pipe price is lower than the purchase price for metal pipe. However, the cost savings ripple through the supply chain. CPVC pipe is lighter than metal or ceramic pipe, so you pay less to ship it to the installation site. It is easier to cut, assemble and install, so installation costs are lower. In fact, installation can be done with fast cold welding. You can use low skill assemblers, since they don’t have to have dangerous welding equipment. And they won’t need to be slowed down by safety measures because they’re using a heat source. That reduces labor costs. You also enjoy lower maintenance costs over the years, because CPVC pipe, good cutters, chamfering tools and CPVC solvent give you leak proof joints. They’re completely leak free in most cases, and they have excellent long-term reliability.

High Durability

CPVC pipe is durable. It resists everything you could throw at it. It won’t break if someone drops it while carrying it to the installation site. It resists corrosion on exposure to low pH water, salty air, acidic soils and chemical cleaners. It won’t corrode on exposure to air or minerals in the water, so it won’t build up scale like metal pipes. Because it resists corrosion and doesn’t contain metals, you won’t have to worry about rust particles or pieces of calcium showing up in your drinking water. Because the pipe resists both abrasion and chemicals, it is used to carry drinking water and wastewater.

The greater overall strength and toughness means these pipes can handle higher pressure than similar metal pipes. You’ll need fewer hangers and supports to deliver high pressure water flowing through plastic pipes.

Its Ideal Nature for Carrying Drinking Water

PVC and CPVC pipe resists bacterial growth naturally. Because it doesn’t pit or crater from corrosion, it doesn’t form safe havens for bacteria, mold and other pathogens to grow. It can carry water with a pH less than 6.5, so it can safely carry heavily chlorinated water and other water that’s chemically treated. Nor will the flow of water though the pipes add unwanted things to your drinking water, like the tendency of iron pipes to turn your water brown or red with rust particles.

The Smooth, Steady Water Delivery

We’ve already mentioned PVC and CPVC plastic pipes are smooth and resist pitting. This results in a full bore flow for years. There’s no scale build up, something that causes you to lose water pressure over time. You enjoy low water noise for almost as long as you own the pipes. Because there are no water hammer arrestors during normal operating conditions, you’ll experience a third as many water hammers as you’d see with copper or steel pipe.

Lower Thermal Conductivity

Thermal conductivity refers to how well a material conducts heat. This isn’t something you want to happen in pipes. Pipes that can cool down quickly are more prone to freezing and bursting. They also require more insulation to keep hot water hot on its way to your shower. Because PVC and CPVC plastic pipes has lower

thermal conductivity, it is less prone to bursting if the house gets cold, and it needs less insulation to keep warm water warm. This saves energy, since you don’t have to heat the water to an incredibly high temperature so that it is lukewarm when it reaches your sink. If you’re running cold water through pipes in the walls, the lower conductivity means the cold water in the pipes won’t chill the room on the other side of the wall.

At the same time, plastic pipe is very fire resistant. The pipes themselves cannot catch fire. This makes them ideal for sprinkler systems.