CPVC FITTINGS

What are CPVC pipe fittings? And what are the benefits of CPVC fittings for plumbing systems? We’ll share both here while explaining why CPVC pipe isn’t as widely used as you’d expect it to be.

What are CPVC pipe fittings?

CPVC pipe is similar but somewhat different from PVC. CPVC is a chlorinated version of PVC. It shares many of the same benefits of PVC such as being lightweight, recyclable and being incredibly smooth inside. CPVC pipes and PVC pipes both resist scaling and water flows through them relatively quietly. However, CPVC has a better heat tolerance and is less likely to smoke or combust on exposure to high heat. CPVC pipe fittings, also called CPVC fittings, share these same advantages over those made with PVC.

What are the benefits of CPVC pipe fittings?

CPVC is better at resisting chemicals than PVC pipe. It won’t give drinking water an extra taste the way copper pipes will. It won’t corrode on exposure to fluoride and chlorine in drinking water, and it won’t break down on exposure to sewage. CPVC pipe fittings will not catch fire or emit toxic smoke during a house fire. It is as strong as PVC, and like PVC, it minimizes vibrations and noise.
You’re less likely to hear water hammers when you have CPVC pipes over metal pipes. CPVC is more cost effective than metal piping systems, because it won’t rust and is easier to repair when components need to bereplaced. CPVC pipe is easier to install, and this includes the pipe fittings made of CPVC. They also need less maintenance. For example, you don’t have to remove scale and blockages from inside the pipes nearly as often, and you certainly don’t have to worry about oxidation in the pipes. The smooth interior won’t collect scale for a long time, and this maximizes fluid flow through the pipes. CPVC pipes vary in their pressure ratings based on the manufacturer, but CPVC pipe and pipe fittings tend to withstand higher operating pressures than PVC pipe.
The lower thermal conductivity of CPVC pipe and pipe fittings means you need less insulation to prevent heat loss from hot water or to keep cold liquids cold. Furthermore, people are less likely to be injured on contact with the pipes if these hot or cold substances are flowing through them.

Why aren’t CPVC pipe fittings used more often?

One reason is that you cannot safely and reliably connect CPVC fittings to PVC pipe. The solvents used to meld PVC pipe and fittings together won’t work properly with CPVC pipe fittings. You can integrate CPVC pipe and pipe fittings for hot water systems into a building’s plumbing system with the right design decisions, such as taking care not to connect CPVC directly to PVC. A common solution is using CPVC pipe and fittings for the hot water system and using PVC for the cold water and wastewater systems. However, using entirely CPVC components is simpler.
The longer operating life of CPVC products helps to offset their slightly higher initial cost. This makes CPVC products a better overall value.