Threaded PVC Fittings

bf9ys02 · Oct 21, 2005

I replaced galvanized nipples at toilet and cold lavatory supply valves with gray PVC nipples. What would be wrong with using them for the hot supplies as well?

hj · Oct 21, 2005

nipples

OTher than the fact that they can, and often will, crack at the threads, even on the cold water side, and that the hot water will soften them, I guess nothing. It is your house and you can flood it if you want to.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Rshackleford · Oct 21, 2005

Are these a pvc nipple or a nylon nipple? If grey pvc then are they SCH 80? Please explain whey these nipples will crack and break. This is something i was unaware of.

thanks.

Jimbo · Oct 21, 2005

PVC is not allowed within a dwelling by any code. Plastic nipples do have a tendency to crack at the root of the threads. In CPVC work, I do not know if nipples are used. I would prefer a glued stub-out.

bf9ys02 · Oct 21, 2005

For what it is worth, they are SCHD 80. Sounds like a bad idea though.

Plumber1 · Oct 21, 2005

plastic

For sure....

Bob NH · Oct 22, 2005

PVC is weak when hot; therefore not suitable for hot water even where permitted by code. CPVC is ok for hot water but may be expensive.

Rshackleford · Oct 22, 2005

Is there somthing other than hot water in homes that makes PVC a particularily bad choice? What makes PVC fail at the threads? Does the size or sch of PVC make a difference?

Jimbo · Oct 22, 2005

What makes PVC fail at the threads? :::: It's plastic for gosh sake!

Does the size or sch of PVC make a difference? ::::: size always matters.

hj · Oct 22, 2005

pvc

I have seen every size of PVC break at the threads. It is a rigid material that has absolutely no tolerance for lateral stress. Especially after a lot of material is removed to thread it. If you move/bend the PVC sideways at a thread it will crack.

SRdenny · Oct 24, 2005

How about useing brass nipples. Install today and they'll be good as new when all of us are worm food.

Rshackleford · Oct 25, 2005

Are we talking pressure PVC or dwv?

I have seen municipal pump houses, well pits, stock water pipelines, and other work done with all PVC fittings. I will concede that often when the pipe is four, maybe three, inches or larger flanges are often use; however small pipes are pretty much put together with threaded pvc. I do notice that many buried PVC fittings in engineered jobs are pack joint type fittings. Also, pvc water well drop pipe is threaded pvc, but that doesn't have lateral stress.

Is there more movement in a household plumbing that causes the threads to fail? Is there something else?

This is all really interesting. Thanks for the information.

Gary Slusser · Oct 25, 2005

I think it's LASCO that says the primary cause of PVC and other plastic females failing is overtightening them; in essence, not following the instructions.

I've used many of all types over many years without failure. I also use plastic males with the same results.

Gary
Quality Water Associates

Threaded PVC Fittings

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