Polyvinylchloride, PVC – (CH2CHCL) is the third most widely produced synthetic plastic polymer. PVC is is a common but strong and light plastic used in construction. It is made softer and more flexible by using a plasticizer. If there is no addition of plasticizer, then it is known as UPVC. UPVC is also known as unplasticized polyvinyl chloride or Rigid PVC.
PVC pipes are known for their benefit, including affordable, faster, and more flexible installation and durability. There is a significant difference between PVC and CPVC in terms of quality and materials used in them. So, here we will discuss PVC vs CPVC.
PVC vs CPVC / Difference between pvc and cpvc
| S.N | On Basis of | PVC | CPVC |
| 1. | Concept | PVC stands for polyvinyl choride. It is a type of thermoplastic polymer. It is made by compressing 57% chlorine and 43% carbon. Chlorine is derived from industrial-grade salt and carbon is derived from natural gas or oil. | CPVC Stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. CPVC is a thermoplastic produced by the chlorination of residue. It contains chlorine about 57% to 74%. |
| 2. | IS Code | For PVC pipe, IS 15778 is followed. | For CPVC pipe, IS 4985:2000 is followed. |
| 3. | Temperature | PVC Pipe can handle maximum temperatures up to 60 degrees Celcius or 140 degrees Fahrenheit. | CPVC Pipe can handle maximum temperatures up to 94 degrees Celcius or 200 degrees Fahrenheit. |
| 4. | Chlorine resistance | These pipes are reactive to chlorine. | These pipes are unaffected by chlorine. |
| 5. | Bacterial Growth | Bacterial Growth in PVC pipes is more. | Bacterial Growth in CPVC pipes is lesser than in PVC due to more chlorine content. |
| 6. | Solvent | PVC must meet ASTM D2564 specificaation. | CPVC must meet ASTM F493 specificaation. |
| 7. | Pipe length | It is available in 3 meters and 6 meters in length. | It is available in 3 meters and 5 meters in length. |
| 8. | Pipe Diameter | It is found in nominal sizes which measure the diameter of its interior hole. | CPVC is found in both nominal sizes and copper tube sizes which measures the exterior diameter of the tube. |
| 9. | Flexibility | The flexibility of PVC pipe is less compared to CPV pipe. | CPVC pipe has greater flexibility as it needs to support ar every 2-3 feet to maintain its position. |
| 10. | Colour | PVC pipes are available in white color schedule 40 and grey color schedule 80. | CPVC pipes are available in an off-white color, Yellowish cream schedule 40, and Light grey color schedule 80. |
| 11. | Ductility | It is less ductile. | It is significantly more ductile, having greater flexure and crush resistance. |
| 12. | Price | PVC pipe is cheaper in price. | CPVC pipe is more expensive than PVC. |
| 13. | Type | SWR pipes, Agriculture pipes, Soil pipes, ring fit pipes, and Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 etc are the types of PVC pipes. | SDR9 pipes, SDR11 pipes, SDR13.5 pipes, Schedule 40, and Schedule 80 pipes are the types of CPVC pipes. |
| 14. | Uses | PVC pipes are used in cold water systems, vent systems, drainage systems, and irrigation systems. | UPVC pipes are used for fire sprinkler systems, Industrial liquid handling for hot and cold conditions. |
Difference between Schedule 40 and schedule 80 pipes
If you have been shopping around for PCV pipe, you may have heard the term schedule. A pipe schedule has nothing to do with the human concept of time or schedule. The standard of measuring pipe came from a need to have a universal system for referring to PVC.
Since different wall thicknesses are beneficial in different situations. The ASTM (American Society for testing and materials) came up with the schedule 40 and schedule 80 system for classifying the two common types.
The schedule is a standard of wall thickness that has been adopted by the American National Standards Institute. So, here we will discuss about differences between schedule 40 and schedule 80 PVC pipes in different aspects..
a) Wall thickness:
Schedule 40 pipes have thinner walls than of schedule 80 pipes for the same pipe size. The outer diameter of both schedule 40 and schedule 80 pipes remains the same because the extra thickness of schedule 80 remains inside the pipe.
On the other hand, the schedule 80 pipe has a thicker wall even though its outer diameter is similar to schedule 40 pipes, it means the pipe is thicker and stronger and as a result, it can handle higher pressures, greater structural and chemical durability, rigidity and resilience to strain and pressure.
b) Water pressure:
Schedule 40 pipes have thinner walls so it is best for application involving relatively low water pressure, whereas schedule 80 pipe is more likely to perform better in high water pressure due to their thicker walls.
c) Diameter:
Both schedule 80 and schedule 40 PVC pipes have exact same outer diameter with the same Nominal size. Here, nominal pipe size measurement means pipes outer diameter measurement. The inner diameter measurement is what differs between schedule 40 and schedule 80. Schedule 80 PVC pipes will have a smaller inside area than the scheduled 40 pipes because of their thicker walls.
This reduced inner diameter of schedule 80 accomplices slight restriction in fluid flow through the pipe.
d) Weight:
When comparing the weight schedule 40 pipes come in less weight than schedule 80 pipes and that’s why schedule 40 pipes are easier to install than schedule 80 pipes. Whereas schedule 80 pipes have a thicker wall, hence it is heavier than schedule 40 pipes which generally makes it more difficult to handle while installing large-size pipes and fittings.
e) Color:
Schedule 40 pipe is traditionally natural white in color that lacks any color additives, whereas schedule 80 pipes are usually gray in color
Note: Specific manufacturers may not follow this common color pattern, so it’s wise to check the label. Always verify by reviewing the detailed information presented along the sides of the pipes and fittings
f) Uses:
Schedule 40 pipes are best suited for residential plumbing, drainage, irrigation and another cold-water system.
Schedule 80 pipes are most often used for heavy-duty commercial, chemical, industrial, and manufacturing purposes.
Due to the greater wall thickness of schedule 80 pipes, it is collectively understood to be stronger and more resistant than its schedule 40 counterpart.
g) Cost:
Schedule 40 pipes have a lesser price as compared to schedule 80 pipes.
For example, the price of a 100mm diameter CPVC pipe is Rs.1100/Running meter, whereas a schedule 80 pipe is likely to cost more than schedule 40. This is because schedule 80 has thicker walls, It withstands higher pressure and it is beneficial in specific applications. The price of 100mm diameter CPVC price is Rs.1600/running meter.
Different types of pipes used in house plumbing
There are different types of pipes used in our house during plumbing. Each pipe has its own importance. This article will help you a lot about pipes while plumbing in your house. Many people use the pipes that are recommended by the plumbers.
Even plumbers also do not recommend us the wrong, but it’s good to have slight knowledge about it. Good plumbing in the home save our time and extra cost of repeat repairement. So, it’s important to have basic knowledge about plumbing pipes.
Here we will specially discuss different pipes used in plumbing and their labor charge for pipe fitting in detail.
In plumbing, sanatory, and drainage of any house or building, we use different types of pipes on the basis of their purposes Ike water distribution, drainage, and waste disposal.
Generally in any house, wastewater is produced from different places like the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, etc., and this whole waste water is not carried by one pipe, different types of pipes are used for that.
On the basis of use of pipe, we can classify it into 4 types
1. Soil pipe: It carries human solid waste from the toilet to the septic tank. It comes in 4 inches size.
2. Waste water pipe: this pipe is used only for carrying kitchen, bathroom, and wash basin wastewater. Its size comes with 30-75mm and it doesn’t carry any solid waste.
3. Rainwater pipe: This pipe is used to drain off the water collected on the roof of our house, and its diameter is kept more than 75mm.
4. Vent pipe: this pipe is used to carry all type of gases, to expel out the smell from bathroom and toilet, it is given on the top of the terrace and minimum 50 mm diameter pipes are used in it.
On the basis of pipe quality, we can classify it into 5 types
1. PPR
2. PVC
3. uPVC
4. cPVC
5. GI pipes
1. PPR pipes:
It stands for Poly Propylene Random Co polymer plastic pipes. Its thickness is greater than PVC pipe so these pipes are stronger and more durable. These pipes have even more than 50 years of life span in any type of condition.
These pipes have very low thermal conductivity and so they can easily withstand hot and cold-water supply systems without breaking or cracking. So, this pipe is the best option for hot and cold water supply systems. This pipe can be used for all types of internal plumbing fittings.
It’s fitting and consumes some time because it needs to be heated for joining. And so, its labor cost is higher than PVC and PVC pipe fitting. These pipes are available from 16 mm to 125 mm and their labor charge cost about Rs 16 to 40 per running foot.
2. PVC pipe
This pipe is the most used in the case of plumbing work in both supply system and drainage system. It is more commonly used because it is cheaper than any other type of pipe. It is easy to mention and its installation is quite easier than any other type of pipe.
These pipes are mostly grey in color and only can be used for cold water services, they cannot be used for hot water supply. Nowadays, these pipes have high demand because it is cheaper and corrosion resistant. These pipes are lighter is weight so their installation and handling are very easy.
Uses: These pipes are mainly used in drain water, wastewater, and vent application. These pipes are also used for home sewerage systems, means vent systems, wastewater drainage systems, and rainwater drainages such as soil pipes for toilets, bathrooms, kitchens, and balconies.
So, because of their easier use and lighter nature, these pipes are very popular for plumbing work. Its fittings plumbing charges approx. Rs.12 to 60 per foot.
3. uPVC pipe
Its full form is unplasticized polyvinyl chloride. We can simply understand that if plastic is taken out of PVC pipe, then we can say it uPVC pipe. After the removal of plastic, this plastic gets, even more, stronger which can also be called rigid PVC pipe. uPVC pipes are used for all types of residential and commercial building plumbing fittings, also
Used for indoor/outdoor and concealed cold water supply system, but it cannot be used for hot water supply. uPVC pipe comes in white color, and except for hot water supply, it can be used for all types of water supply in the house.
These pipes are highly resistant to sunlight and chemical. Although pipes are more expensive than PVC pipe, it is being used in a high level in buildings construction because of its strength. These pipes are available in 1/2 inches to 6 inches in size. Its labor charge costs approx. Rs.18 to 60 per running foot.
4. cPVC pipe
Its full form is Chlorinated polyenyl chloride pipe. Both CPVC and uPVC look similar from the outside but their chemical and molecular strengths are different because during the manufacturing of CPVC pipe chlorine is added. This added chlorine makes cPVC and uPVC pipes different from each other. This pipe can resist about 200° C temperature, which PVC pipes cannot.
So cPVC pipes is suitable for both hot and cold-water application. cPVC pipes are especially recommended for solar water heaters and water geysers etc.
Even CPVC and UPVC both pipes are durable, rigid, and available in the same size and fitting, CPVC pipe is more expensive because of its more application, durability, and ease to use, it is more expensive than uPVC or PVC pipes. cPVC and uPVC labor charge costs remain almost the same i.e.; Rs. 18 to 60 per running feet.
5. GI pipe
Its full form is Galvanized Iron pipe. GI pipes are made up of mild steel sheets and coated with zinc to protect them from crusting so these pipes are known as Galvanized Iron pipes.
GI pipes were being used for plumbing in house in previous times, but nowadays PVC pipes have caught the market because of their lower price and better properties and are mostly used these days.
One of its best advantages as it can be used for both hot and cold water supply, and its disadvantage was it was not so easy to repair if damaged. But even nowadays GI pipes are recommended in government projects.
These pipes are available in 12 mm to 150 mm in size, and about 6 meters in length is available. GI pipes remain more costly than any other type of pipe.
It has a broad term of use, it can be used for all house internal plumbing fittings such as gas line supply, water supply, and all other liquid supply in the house.
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