Plumbing & Pipes for your Pond

Flexible PVC Pipe - advantages vs disadvantages

PVC pipe is also available in a flexible variety that is much easier to install than rigid PVC. Instead of needing to glue in fittings for every turn or bend like with rigid PVC, the flex pipe can just bend on its own. This is very convenient for hooking up to filters, skimmers or other equipment at odd angles. It&#;s usually available in 1-1/2&#;, 2&#;, 3&#; and 4&#;. The larger the diameter, the less flexible the pipe will become, so for very tight spaces and bends, 2&#; or less is the most flexible.

Want more information on Water Well UPVC Filter Pipe? Feel free to contact us.

You might be wondering why someone would even consider using rigid PVC if flexible PVC is so much easier to use. Flexible PVC has some downsides that are more of an issue on large pond installs:

1) Extra friction.

With flexible PVC pipe, the walls are slightly ribbed to allow the pipe to bend. This means you&#;re going to end up with a little more friction in the pipe. Most people measure this to be around 5% to 10% less efficient than regular rigid PVC. More friction equals more resistance that the pump must overcome. For the main pipes and longer runs where you don&#;t really need the high flexibility, most contractors choose to use rigid. For our ecosystem pond, because the pipe runs aren&#;t that long, and we don&#;t have a lot of complicated filtration equipment like in a dedicated koi pond, we like flexible pipe. Although we will lose a little bit to friction using flexible pipe, for most ecosystem ponds it&#;s not really enough to worry about.

2) Flexible PVC isn&#;t as strong as rigid PVC.

If enough weight is put onto a flexible PVC pipe it can begin to &#;squish.&#; This is another reason many contractors still prefer to use rigid PVC&#;it can be buried with quite a bit of force on it and it&#;s not going to bend or break. In the past, flexible PVC pipe wasn&#;t good enough to run underground, which is why many people still don&#;t like it. However, the newer flexible PVC available can handle being buried with some weight on it, as long as the ground around the pipe is well compacted. It obviously still can&#;t handle as much weight as rigid PVC, but it&#;s enough for our ecosystem pond purposes.

3) Termites.

We have heard reports of termites eating through flexible PVC pipe in certain areas. If you believe you might have a termite problem where you live, you may want to consider rigid PVC instead, since the termites aren&#;t able to eat through the hard plastic as easily.

4) Flexible PVC needs PVC fittings (not ABS fittings).

This isn&#;t as much a disadvantage as just something to keep in mind. When choosing fittings to use with flexible PVC pipe, we find it&#;s better to use PVC pressure rated fittings rather than the ABS fittings mentioned earlier. The main reason is that schedule 40 PVC fittings are rated for pressure, and as a result have a larger gluing area. The ABS fittings have a smaller gluing area, which is fine for rigid pipe but is too small to get a good connection with flexible pipe.

These days, contractors have a number of great options when it comes to residential plumbing pipe. The industry standard is still copper pipe, as it is strong and compatible with a wide range of fittings and pipes. It's also been around over 70 years and known to simply work by most contractors. Another emerging favorite is PEX tubing, a flexible and durable piping option. The main problem with these plumbing materials are their higher price tag. PVC is a cost-effective and durable option for potable water (Drinking Water).

For this reason, many thrifty contractors and home improvement enthusiasts turn to PVC pipe (product) and CPVC pipe (product) for their home plumbing needs. It is also a great insulator, so outside environments will not affect the heat of water inside the pipe. While many people only use PVC for drainage and cleanouts, it can be the sole piping material in a home when used in conjunction with CPVC. In this article, I will address some of the most common questions about using PVC for potable water.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit HDPE Dredging Pipes for Philippines.

Will PVC Pipe Affect Drinking Water?

PVC and CPVC pipe are both designed to withstand damage from virtually all corrosive chemicals and gases. Because of this, they have no problem transporting water over long distances & periods of time. Some people with new piping report water having a "slightly plastic taste," but this taste is not harmful and usually disappears quickly. Using PVC materials for potable / drinking water is not a health risk!

One possible issue with using PVC or CPVC for potable water is cleanliness. All pipes transporting potable water should be cleaned thoroughly before installation. This is as true with PVC as it is with any other type of pipe. Dust can collect on the inside of pipes while they are in storage or being transported, so a good, thorough clean is necessary if they will be carrying drinking water.

PVC or CPVC?

CPVC is a version of PVC that has gone through an extra chlorination process. This extra treatment gives it a higher temperature tolerance. Where standard PVC can only withstand temperatures up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, CPVC will hold strong in temperatures up to 200 degrees. Water heaters are typically set to heat water somewhere between 120 and 140 degrees. Because of this, regular PVC should typically be used just for drainage purposes and not for transporting hot water that could damage it.

CPVC pipe and fittings will have no trouble with hot water. With their higher temperature tolerance, they will not break down unless exposed to an open flame or boiling water. Both PVC and CPVC will insulate from cold weather somewhat effectively, but if water freezes in them, they could crack, so they should not be used for outdoor water lines unless proper exterior insulation is added.

Click here for more information on the differences between PVC and CPVC.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using PVC for Potable Water

Most of the major benefits and drawbacks of using PVC or CPVC for potable water have been mentioned above, but I will restate them briefly. As far as the benefits are concerned, PVC pipe and fittings are far cheaper than copper pipe or even PEX flexible piping, which makes them the cost-effective option. Another useful attribute of PVC and CPVC is that they insulate more effectively on their own than copper, because they are not conductors like copper is. PVC will also not corrode due to water content, unlike copper pipes which must be checked often.

Here are a few drawbacks to using PVC or CPVC for potable water. First, PVC materials are not as strong as copper or as flexible as PEX; they float in a middle ground as far as durability and flexibility go. They are also far more susceptible to damage from freezing water than their competitors. PVC and CPVC can crack if their contents freeze, which can lead to unforeseen damages and repairs in colder climates.

Just like the other options available, PVC and CPVC have their drawbacks when it comes to potable water transportation. However, the money saved on materials can make it worth it when working on a budget!

The company is the world’s best Hdpe Urban Water Supply Tube supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.