What Is a PVC Pipe | How to Measure PVC Pipe Size | PVC Pipe Installation Cost

Are you considering choosing the right piping for your home or business? If yes, PVC pipes are a great option for you. But before you use it, there are a few things you should know. In this chapter, we will discuss some key details that you need to know about PVC pipes, such as what is PVC pipe, how is it made, how is PVC pipe measured, PVC pipes sizes, and PVC pipe cost per foot.

What Is a PVC Pipe?

PVC is the most widely used man-made plastic in the world. The full name of this plastic is polyvinyl chloride. It is also often referred to simply as vinyl. In its natural state, it usually has hard and brittle properties. When PVC is mixed with additives such as plasticizers, it becomes more resilient and gentle.

Its finished product is hard and durable, found in white or light-colored plastic form. Pipes are durable, corrosion-resistant, hard to damage, and long-lasting. For these reasons, these pipes are used in various places like water and wastewater transport, underground wiring, and plumbing.

PVC Plumbing pipes do not rust when exposed to many common substances found in the environment, such as acids, bases, oils, and salts, which makes PVC an ideal material for use in underground systems. In addition, PVC does not emit harmful fumes when burned.

PVC pipes have been used for over 80 years, serving numerous applications in various market segments around the world. Economical and robust, these pipes come in a variety of sizes with a range of fittings available and can be used for both hot or cold water depending on the type of PVC variant.

In the United States alone, two million miles of PVC pipelines are operating today.

Must Read : How Many Types of PVC Pipe | What are Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 PVC Pipes | PVC Pipe Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 Size Chart

How Is PVC Pipe Made?

PVC pipes The raw material is made by extrusion of PVC.

The following steps are considered for making PVC pipes.

1. Feeding of raw material tablets/powder in PVC twin screw extruder.
2. Melting and heating are provided in multiple extruder zones.
3. Extruding inserted into the pipe-shaped die to give shape.
4. This shaped pipe is cooled.
5. PVC pipes are cut to the desired length.

However, despite the similar manufacturing process of most plastic piping, PVC pipes have internal characteristics that pose additional challenges for pipe manufacturers in terms of production, as well as for transferring their products to the market.

Must Read : What is CPVC Pipe | What Is CPVC Pipe Made Of | CPVC Pipe Used For | How to Measure CPVC Pipes | CPVC Pipe Cost | Advantages and Disadvantages of CPVC Pipes

PVC Pipe Lifespan

PVC pipes were introduced in the 1960s as an alternative to other plumbing materials available. These new cheap and durable pipes have quickly become popular and are still the most widely used pipes as water supply lines.

While it is estimated that PVC pipes will last about 100 years, the exact lifespan could not be ascertained as PVC piping has not yet become that long.

Of course, the natural life of PVC pipes depends on their specific uses and the environment in which it is installed.

What Is Pvc Pipe Used For?

PVC pipes have different uses in both residential and commercial settings. The most common uses of PVC pipes are as follows,

• Water plumbing
• Irrigation water
• Electrical wiring
• Waste management
• Chemical handling

1. Water Plumbing

Since PVC pipes are durable and able to withstand high pressures, they are mostly used for water transport in both residential and commercial spaces.

PVC pipes are overseen by government and independent authorities in North America; as the production and modification of PVC water pipes there is a strict regulatory process.

PVC is considered a non-toxic and long-term safe material when viewed in water management circumstances. It is suitable for potable water, non-potable water, and processed water conditions.

2. Irrigation Water

Irrigation with PVC pipes is a common practice in many ranches and farms. PVC pipes are the best choice for irrigation as they are durable, flexible, and easy to install.

Farmers and pastoralists can distribute water evenly on their farms or pastures using the irrigation system. This saves money by using water more efficiently and helps improve crop or livestock health.

3. Electrical Wiring

PVC piping can also be used as electrical wiring. It has excellent thermal and electrical resistance, which is ideal for this purpose. It is a safe choice for electrical wiring as it is flame-resistant and UV resistant.

Due to these properties of PVC, the use of a group of plastics as coatings and insulating sleeves for electrical cables, wires, and circuitry has been promoted.

Many common wires and electrical components in modern electronics have a vinyl coating, or they are driven by standard PVC pipe, duct pipe, or flex pipe.

4. Waste Management

PVC pipes are also commonly used for waste management. They make an ideal material for waste transport, as they are resistant to corrosion and insects. In addition, they keep the environment clean as they are easy to clean and maintain.

PVC is used for waste in modern infrastructure ranging from homes to commercial buildings and industrial plants. PVC in the form of pipes and works in sewer transport as well as sewers and vents.

Examples are sinks, toilets, and liquid handling manufacturing equipment that uses sewer, waste, and vent (DWV) PVC pipework.

5. Chemical Handling

Chemical compatibility and tolerance can vary significantly with the specific chemical in question. Compared to metallic/ferrous alternatives, some chemicals that cannot control metal materials, PVC is able to handle those chemicals.

The content of chlorine in PVC pipes and equipment provides increased material resistance to chemical attacks and degradation, as well as fire and flame spread. As a result, PVC plumbing is often used for chemical handling, manufacturing processes, delivery, and transfer.

PVC pipes are used for handling common chemicals such as organic and inorganic acids, anhydride acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, ammonia, alkalis, halogen, salts, and oxidizing acids.

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How to Measure PVC Plumbing Pipes?

Use this quick system to find out the nominal pipe size of your existing PVC pipe, which is given below. It works equally well for both Schedule 40 (white) and Schedule 80 (gray) PVC pipes.

Measuring the diameter of a PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) pipe can be done using a few different methods. Here are three common methods you can use:

Use a Caliper:

A caliper is a handy tool for making precise measurements. Open the caliper jaws wide enough to fit around the pipe. Place the caliper jaws around the pipe, making sure they contact the outer edges. Close the caliper until the jaws fit tightly against the pipe.

Read the measurement displayed on the caliper scale. This value represents the diameter of the pipe. Then, match those measurements to the PVC pipe size chart in mm and inches.

Use a Tape Measure:

Wrap a flexible tape measure around the pipe. Make sure the tape is wrapped tightly but not too tight, as this can distort the measurement. Note the measurement where the tape measure overlaps. The value you get is the circumference of the pipe.

To determine the diameter, divide this measurement by π(3.14159) with a calculator. Then, match those measurements to the PVC pipe size chart in mm and inches.

Use a String and Ruler:

If you don’t have a caliper or tape measure, you can use this method to measure PVC pipe. Wrap a piece of string around the pipe, as you would with a tape measure. Make sure it is wrapped tightly but not too tight. Mark the point where the string overlaps itself.

Remove the string from the pipe and lay it flat next to a ruler or measuring tape. Align the starting end of the string with the “zero” mark on the ruler and read the measurement at the marked point.

This measurement represents the circumference of the pipe. To get the diameter, divide the circumference by π(3.14159) with a calculator. Then, match those measurements to the PVC pipe size chart below in mm and inches.

PVC Pipes Sizes Chart

Match the measurements you get using any of the above methods with the chart below to get the correct PVC pipe size. The PVC pipe size chart is as below:

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PVC Pipe Installation Cost

The cost of installing a PVC pipe is between $ 0.50 and $ 5 a linear foot. The cost of replacing a 10-foot-long trenchless installation with a PVC pipe can be estimated at $ 1125 or more.

A small 1-bathroom house (five to 10 fixtures) can cost $ 1,500- 8 1,800 to re-install PVC pipes, and a large 3-bedroom, 2-1 / 2-bathroom, two-story house (12-15 fixtures) It can cost up to $ 5,000.

Plumbing a new home using CPVC for water supply lines and PVC for sewers can cost 6,000- $ 22,000 or more depending on location, house size, and the number of fixtures.

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Advantages of Pvc Pipe

1. PVC pipes are the medium of choice for the transport of water and electricity in various fields. Their high resistance to heat and corrosion is a major contributor to their widespread use.
2. A relatively simple process is used for its mass production, which makes it cost-effective.
3. It is strong and durable, and extremely resistant to stress, which makes it a suitable material for pipes and pipes capable of working underground.
4. PVC pipes are lighter, making it easier to transport large distances in the pipeline. This results in less fuel being used, which makes them more environmentally friendly.
5. The beneficial chemical property of PVC is its inertia or resistance to chemical reactions with other substances. This makes it safe to transport drinking water and water used for household purposes.
6. PVC pipes are easy to install, break and maintain. Its chances of it failing are low, and once installed, it does not require frequent attention for a long time.
7. PVC pipes can last a hundred years. When it is installed underground, it makes low maintenance and convenient materials for large pipeline networks so that its maintenance and overhaul costs are lower than other pipe materials.
8. The low amount of carbon in PVC causes less harmful emissions during its production, which makes it easy to recycle or recycle and reuse.

Disadvantages of Pvc Pipe

1. PVC pipes are capable of handling water at very high temperatures. However, PVC pipes are not very flame resistant; They can melt at temperatures above 140 ° Fahrenheit.
2. They are very low in weight, so they are more likely to crack when PVC pipes are laid down or placed on legs. Compared to other types of plumbing pipes, such as copper, PVC pipes are more susceptible to cracking during earthquakes.
3. PVC can contain up to 57% chlorine. Derived from carbon-petroleum products is also frequently used in its production. During production, PVC is referred to as “toxic plastic” by some medical researchers and environmentalists because it can potentially release toxins that come into contact with fire or decompose in landfills.

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