PVC Plumbing Benefits and Drawbacks

PVC Plumbing Benefits and Drawbacks

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plumbing is a favorite of many plumbers because of its lightweight properties and ease of installation. But because the material is made from plastic, many people wonder about the benefits and drawbacks of this product. However, PVC plumbing has been used in homes for over 30 years without a problem, and it is code compliant almost everywhere.

Benefits of PVC Plumbing

When PVC plumbing was first introduced, many homeowners were skeptical – unsure if using plastic to run hot and cold water could really get the job done. But many of these skeptics were won over when they discovered the benefits of PVC plumbing. It is lightweight, and super easy to cut and fit. This saves valuable time during the installation process.

Also, PVC is perfect for areas that have hard water or heavy minerals in the water supply. With other piping, corrosion can be an issue after time, which reduces the longevity of the material. But with PVC plumbing, mineral deposits aren’t collected, making these pipes last longer in areas with aggressive water. In addition, this type of plumbing is cheaper than other options, like copper.

And finally, plumbers often prefer PVC because it’s easy to get leak-proof connections without soldering. And for do-it-yourself jobs, this feature is especially important.

Some Drawbacks of PVC Plumbing

Studies have shown PVC plumbing to be completely safe, and this type of piping has been used in homes for over 30 years. However, some people claim this material is guilty of “chemical leaching,” which is the transfer of chemicals from the piping to the fresh water. However, it’s important to note there isn’t any hard research to support these claims.

Also, PVC plumbing isn’t as tough as other pipe material, such as copper and steel. PVC is more prone to punctures and cracking under pressure than any metal piping.