CPVC - Any problems with using this?

Billy_Bob · Apr 8, 2008

I'm thinking of using CPVC to replace some of my existing galvanized pipe.

I have been told to use copper.

My question is: Is there anything wrong with using CPVC? Would I later regret using CPVC for some reason?

Gary Slusser · Apr 8, 2008

It has a smaller ID than galvanized so replace 1/2" with 3/4" cpvc etc. or it will reduce your flow rate. And you have to support it well.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

Gary Swart · Apr 8, 2008

In my opinion, unless there are water conditions that corrode copper, using CPVC is being penny wise and pound foolish. Why would you want to use plastic instead of metal? You have essentially the same task of running pipes, solvent welding CPVC may be a bit easier than sweating copper, but only marginally. It is true that copper prices have gone totally crazy in recent months, but it is a superior product.

Ian Gills · Apr 8, 2008

Use silver, it's cheaper than copper now!

Jadnashua · Apr 8, 2008

I'd go with pex...Wirsbo

Redwood · Apr 8, 2008

CPVC just doesn't make sense to me... You have to run it like copper. Use a lot of fittings like copper and although its not as expensive as copper its still pricey.

I'd either use copper or, save a ton of money and time by using PEX.

Billy_Bob · Apr 8, 2008

Gary Swart said:
...Why would you want to use plastic instead of metal?...

Actually I want to use this for my hot water line. I read that plastic does not conduct heat and my thinking is that the hot water would stay warm longer with this pipe as well as delivering hot water to the faucet sooner. (I will also insulate it.)

With PEX, I would have to buy expensive tools and this is a one time thing.

I have no problem using copper and I do prefer metal to plastic. Just that from what I have read, it seems plastic (CPVC) would be better for keeping the water warm/hot.

Ill spend one or two days installing the pipe, but 365 days a year using the water from that pipe. So would prefer the best design so far as using it goes (warm water sooner and longer before it cools).

Gary Swart · Apr 8, 2008

Best ways I know to do this are either a point of use heater or a recirculating pump with insulated copper pipes. The recirculating pump works very well for me in my home.

Master Plumber Mark · Apr 9, 2008

it will work ok

it works ok..... it is just more flimsy.

i prefer the wirsbo pex over it but

I carry a few hundred feet in my truck....

and hasnt it been around for 40 years or more???...

actually as long as you use the right glues it is
probably better and more reliable than a
lot of the brands of PEX out there..

I have never heard of a recall on the CPVC pipe yet...

I HAVE heard some pretty good
nightmare stories about a
few prands of pex....

the only spot that I have ever seen troubles with cpvc is
usually at the connection to the water heaters
where it seems to get more brittle over the years.

Mikey · Apr 9, 2008

I replumbed my house with CPVC (replacing copper) because of under-slab leaks. My new plumbing is overhead in an uninsulated attic, so the water held in the pipes -- both hot and cold -- is hot in the summer and cold in the winter. I don't think you'd notice much difference in heat/cold retention between CPVC and copper. I use an on-demand recirculating pump to get instant hot water, but haven't figured out how to get instant cold yet.

If I had it to do over again, I'd use PEX.

Gary Slusser · Apr 9, 2008

Gary Swart said:
In my opinion, unless there are water conditions that corrode copper, using CPVC is being penny wise and pound foolish. Why would you want to use plastic instead of metal? You have essentially the same task of running pipes, solvent welding CPVC may be a bit easier than sweating copper, but only marginally. It is true that copper prices have gone totally crazy in recent months, but it is a superior product.

There is no way to know if the water quality will change in the future and plastic is not damaged by anything in the water that is run through it.

The water quality can not be negatively effected by plastic as it can be by copper.

Plastic is much less expensive to buy and goes in much faster than copper. So my question would be why would anyone want copper other than its "beauty" and mistaken thinking that it is best based on longevity?

And heat transfer if less in plastic than it is in copper.

Personally I like PEX except for the well water line from the well to the pressure tank, that should be PE. I don't like PEX or CPVC to water treatment equipment. I prefer PVC from the tank to the equipment and then from the equipment to a manifold for a PEX home run system.

Bill Arden · Apr 13, 2008

use CPVC instead of copper except for when you need to keep O2 out like in a hydronic heating system.

Pros
1. You can cut and glue in a lot of places where you'd set the house on fire if you tried copper.
2. It never rusts.
3. Thieves never steel CPVC pipes. (...once they are installed)

Cons
1. It's not good in situations where it's hot all the time. so PEX would be better for "instant" hot water using a pump.
2. needs to be supported about twice as often as copper.
3. Looks?

PEX has it's own problems
1. Special tools OR expensive fittings.
2. Limited history. (will it last 100 years?)

PEX does have some advantages over CPVC and copper
1. freeze resistance.
2. flexibility

Nate R · Apr 13, 2008

Gary Slusser said:
Personally I like PEX except for the well water line from the well to the pressure tank, that should be PE. I don't like PEX or CPVC to water treatment equipment.

What's PE?

Redwood · Apr 13, 2008

PE = Polyethylene, AKA Black Poly

djh1973 · Apr 13, 2008

Glue eventually breaks down or becomes brittle. I just tore out a few hundred feet of CPVC and most of it snapped very easy, and some joints popped out with very little strain on them. They did not leak prior to them being ripped out. Of course, I do not know who put it in or how long ago, but it was all replaced with Copper. It will most likely outlast the house. You can buy pipe insulation if you are worried about losing temp, but I am willing to bet the loss would be very minimal.

Bob NH · Apr 14, 2008

CPVC has been successfully used in industrial applications for years.

The smaller sizes (1/2" and 3/4") are available in the big-box stores. You should use the larger size on multifixture feeds and where flow rate is critical, such as a shower.

CPVC is available in Iron Pipe Sizes, though not in the usual big-box stores.

Gary Slusser · Apr 14, 2008

djh1973 said:
Glue eventually breaks down or becomes brittle. I just tore out a few hundred feet of CPVC and most of it snapped very easy, and some joints popped out with very little strain on them. ... it was all replaced with Copper. It will most likely outlast the house.

I suspect the joints were not done correctly. I've taken out a fair amount of CPVC joints installing water treatment equipment, pressure tanks and well pumps and I've never seen any type of plastic solvent welded joints come apart.

As to copper outlasting the house.... that depends on not allowing the many things that cause copper internal corrosion; like the water quality run through it, bacteria, if the tubing ends have been reamed and if done correctly, if it was fluxed correctly (a thin coating) with water soluble flux, if it is used for the building's ground electrode or has electrical grounds connected to it, if there is a hot water recirc system and if the velocity of the water is not too high etc. etc. etc..

I've seen new copper with pin holes within 2.5 years. And it takes up to 5 years before new copper stops adding copper to the water, and too much copper in your diet is a serious health concern, especially for children.

CPVC - Any problems with using this?

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