Can PVC be used for residential plumbing
Someone told me that CPVC can be used, but PVC is no longer allowed. I used to know these things, but some developing health issues have me where I can’t remember anymore. My local codes use the IRC standards — I think.
Thank you.
New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
Replies
As far as I know pvc is still a mainstay for dwv piping.
I think cpvc is more commonly used for supply piping, pvc may be disallowed for supply use I think, based on temperature or pressure rating, not sure about that.
Chris Webb
Chris' Handyman Service
Hey,
CPVC is OK for SFD. I understand that PVC can sometimes be used in manufactured homes for waste lines, I'm unfamiliar with the rules on this. My understanding is that PVC is unacceptable for supply, regardless of your location.
Here in our county in NC you can bring water into house with pvc but must use cpvc, copper, pex or some other approved for supply inside. I was told about 10 yrs that you could use pvc for cold and cpvc for hot. Inspector showed me different.
That is what the NC plumbing code says now for sure. IIRC it calls out a list for "distribution", PVC is not one of them. Fine for dwv.
All pretty irrelevant, depends on what your ahj says.
I don't know the codes. However, PVC is good only up to 140°F, CPVC to 180°. PVC should be fine, then, for hot water if the water heater is properly set, but I would not use it if it were me.
Years ago I had an Aquastar tankless water heater in a home plumbed with CPVC. The heater malfunctioned one morning and steam came out the shower head. Every joint where the CPVC joined metal melted. I had to rip out walls to repair them all. Since then I've used nothing but copper. Nowadays I'd consider PEX, too. And I've never used a tankless heater again.
Here you can use PVC for cold water supply and DWV, and CPVC for hot water and PRV piping. Almost everyone is using PEX but for someone without the ability or desire to install PEX or copper, PVC would be an alternative.
The 2000 IRC has a table of large number of materials suitable for water supply, distribution, and service lines.They then they had a paragrpah about which CAN NOT BE USED IN A HOME.The list includes ABS, PVC, PE, PE-AL-PE. Then it goes on to say that CPVC, PEX, PEX-AL-PEX, and PB can be used for both hot and cold..
.
A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Don't know about SC (tough enough to keep track of several Texas Cities as is <sigh>).
In my specific town, you can use plastic for both supply and "return"--as long as your plumber installs it to the approved plans--and you have metal 1" beyond anyplace a supply line passes through concrete.
Code approved here in DE:
PVC is fine for DWV use.
CPVC is fine for supply lines - hot or cold.
PVC used to be approved for cold supply only, but not anymore due to water temp issues and potential confusion at rough plumbing stage.
Jim
Here is what the 2006 IPC says:View Image
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA