Copper Vs Pvc Drain Pipe

Copper pipes are metal and more durable while pex pvc and cpvc pipes are plastic and tend to have a shorter lifespan.

Copper vs pvc drain pipe.

Pvc or poly vinyl chloride pipes have been in use far longer than abs pipes. It can be incredibly flexible and bent around joints. Cpvc pipe and fittings offer installers a viable alternative to copper. Pros of pvc pipes.

Let s look at the differences in a little more detail. Despite public perception that copper pipes last forever the average life of a copper pipe is about 20 years. Copper pipes are durable for the long term with non acidic systems. If you have questions please call our drain wizard at 800 635 0384.

Copper piping also has a small internal diameter much smaller than cpvc which lets it fit in smaller tighter places. Still copper pipes have been used throughout time simply because it is good material that lasts a long time. Whereas pvc is typically only available in a sizing system called nominal pipe size nps cpvc comes in this sizing system as well as in copper tubing size cts. That said we put together the following tables to serve as general guides for estimating a pipe s water flow capacity.

The use of copper piping in home construction in the us started in the early 1960 s. Drain waste and vent use only pvc pipes. The issue surrounding. Water flow gpm gph based on pipe size and inside outside diameters.

By 1970 it was the material of choice among plumbers. It is estimated that 98 of homes built after 1970 have copper pipes. Cons of copper pipes. Since cpvc is non metallic it will never pit scale or corrode.

While copper plumbing pipes have been around seemingly forever they do have a few flaws. Copper is bacteria resistant very fire resistant and earthquake tolerant. As the name suggests this sizing system mimics the same size graduations used by copper piping. Unlike copper cpvc piping systems will maintain drinking water quality even if the ph of the potable water source falls below 6 5 ph measures the relative acidity of water.

Plastic pipes pvc plastic pipes are growing in popularity thanks to a number of factors namely flexibility and price.