Before beginning any do-it-yourself plumbing project, PP fitting supplier advised that it's important to know the different types of pipes used to transport water and waste in and out of your home.

Table of Contents
Types of Piping Systems
Copper Pipe vs. CPVC Pipe
PEX Pipe
Materials for DWV Pipes
Materials for Pressurized Systems
PVC SCH 40 DWV Pipe and PVC DWV Fittings for Nonpressurized Applications
PVC SCH 40 Pipe and Fittings for Pressurized Applications
PVC SCH 80 Pipe and Fittings for Pressurized Applications
ABS Foam Core SCH 40 DWV Pipe and ABS DWV Fittings for Nonpressurized Applications
CTS CPVC Pipe and Fittings for Pressurized Hot and Cold Water Applications
Types of Piping Systems
Most homes built since the mid-1970s have plastic pipe and fittings, which are rated by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Plastic pipe can be used for pressurized applications, such as potable (drinking) water systems, hot and cold water distribution and irrigation systems. They can also be used for nonpressurized applications (gravity flow), such as sewage, drainage and storm drain systems. Older homes built before 1960 used galvanized steel or cast-iron pipes for drain/waste/vent (DWV) systems. DWV systems remove wastewater and prevent the flow of sewer gases into homes. The most common types of pipe used in homes today are copper and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which are strong, long lasting and easy to install. Other choices include chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) and PEX pipe.

Shop Copper Pipe & Fittings
Copper Pipe vs. CPVC Pipe
Whether copper or plastic (CPVC) pipe should be used to deliver a home's drinking water will vary from home to home. Here are some pointers to help you determine the best choice:

Water Types: In many areas, particularly those without municipal water sources, the acidity of the home's water may be a factor in choosing piping. Highly acidic water can break down copper pipes over time and cause green staining in fixtures. Although acidity can be dealt with using passive water filters, they must be recharged every year or so. Because of this, owners sometimes opt for acid-indifferent CPVC piping.
Installation Time: PVC must not be pressured for 24 hours after installation to allow the pipe adhesive to set properly. Copper can be used within minutes of installation.
PEX Pipe
PEX differs from traditional rigid pipe in one obvious way: It’s flexible. This makes it easier to snake it to different areas of a home. Using PEX may require running more pipe, but it involves fewer fittings.

Here are a few other advantages of PEX pipe:

It’s quieter than rigid piping.
It has a smooth interior that resists scale buildup and corrosion, which can affect the pipe flow over time.
It’s freeze-break resistant, although not freeze-proof.
PEX systems have appealing installation costs compared to rigid materials.
PEX pipe is often used in green buildings, installed either as a remote manifold or plumbing system.
PEX, with all its benefits, does have a drawback. It isn’t suitable for outdoor use because of UV exposure, which causes a reaction with the polyethylene. The maximum level of UV exposure is typically no more than 60 days but varies by manufacturer. Using PEX for underground water supplies is not ideal, even if UV exposure is decreased.
Materials for DWV Pipes
Cast-iron pipe and fittings (black)
PVC Schedule 40 (SCH 40) DWV pipe and fittings (white; used in irrigation, underground sprinkler systems, swimming pools, outdoor applications and cold water supply lines)
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) DWV pipe and fittings (black, common in the western US)
Materials for Pressurized Systems
PVC Schedule 40 (SCH 40) pipe and fittings (white; straight, angular turns; designed for potable water under pressure into buildings)
Copper tube size (CTS) chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) pipe and fittings (cream or tan, used for hot or cold water, sized the same as copper)
PVC Schedule 80 (SCH 80) pipe and fittings (dark gray, withstand higher pressure, designed for the distribution of pressurized liquids)
PVC SCH 40 DWV Pipe and PVC DWV Fittings for Nonpressurized Applications
PVC DWV fittings can be installed with foam core pipe or dual-marked solid wall pipe. ASTM F 891-rated foam core pipe is lighter and less expensive. Solid wall PVC pipe is often rated for both pressurized (ASTM D 1785) and nonpressurized (ASTM D 2665) applications (often referred to as dual-marked). When solid wall or foam core pipe is used with PVC DWV fittings, the resulting system isn’t pressure rated.

Description

White, rigid pipe and fittings
Joined with solvent cement, conforming to applicable ASTM standards
Have a gradual, sanitary turn

Application

Draining household sanitary waste (kitchen, bathroom) and groundwater
Not for pressurized applications or compressed air/gasses

Joining Method

Solvent cements must meet ASTM D 2564 standard
Primer is required
May be joined with a slip-joint compression fitting (a trap adapter)
Threading PVC 40 pipe isn’t recommended
Male iron pipe (MIP) and female iron pipe (FIP) size adapters are available
PVC SCH 40 Pipe and Fittings for Pressurized Applications
Description

White, rigid pipe and fittings
Joined with solvent cement, conforming to ASTM D 2564 standard
Straight, angular turns
Not for gradual sanitary turns for pressure systems

Application

Distributing potable water under pressure into a building (not to be used inside)
Irrigation and sprinkler systems
Draining condensate waste from heating and air conditioning systems
Not for compressed air or gasses

Joining Method

Solvent cements must meet ASTM D 2564 standard
Primer required
May be flanged with SCH 80 flanges
Threading PVC 40 pipe isn’t recommended
MIP and FIP adapters are available
PVC SCH 80 Pipe and Fittings for Pressurized Applications
Description

Dark gray, rigid pipe and fittings
Joined with solvent cement conforming to ASTM D 2564 standard
Straight, angular turns must be used

Application

Distributing pressurized liquids
Can be used in industrial applications
Not for use with compressed air or gasses

Joining Method

Solvent cements must meet ASTM D 2564
Primer should be iron pipe size (IPS) P-70 or Oatey Industrial Grade
May be flanged with SCH 80 flanges
Threading PVC 80 pipe can be done
MIP and FIP adapters are available
ABS Foam Core SCH 40 DWV Pipe and ABS DWV Fittings for Nonpressurized Applications
Description

Black, rigid pipe and fittings
Joined with solvent cement conforming to ASTM D 2235 standard
Fittings have a gradual sanitary turn

Application

Draining household sanitary waste (kitchen, bathroom) and groundwater
Not for use with pressurized applications or compressed air/gasses

Joining Method

Solvent cements must meet ASTM D 2235 standard
Primer isn’t recommended
May be joined with a slip-joint compression fitting (a trap adapter)
Threading ABS-40 foam core pipe isn’t recommended
MIP and FIP adapters are available
CTS CPVC Pipe and Fittings for Pressurized Hot and Cold Water Applications
Description

Cream or tan, rigid pipe (with a gold stripe) and fittings
Joined with solvent cement conforming to ASTM F 493 standard

Applications

Distributing hot and cold potable water under pressure
Not for use with compressed air or gasses

Joining Method

Solvent cements must meet ASTM F 493 standard
Yellow FlowGuard Gold cements may be used without primer, where approved by code
Compression fittings with a brass ferrule may be used
Threading the pipe isn’t recommended; use CTS CPVC male adapters in cold water applications only; use CTS CPVC brass-threaded transition fittings for hot water applications

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