The Basics

  • How to Connect PVC Without Glue

     

    blue pvc cement or primer with red crossIf you've ever worked with PVC pipe cement and primer, you will understand how messy they can be to work with. They are sticky and drippy and  hard to clean up. However, they are also extremely useful when connecting PVC pipe because of the airtight bond they form. Here at PVC Fittings Online, customers often ask us if connecting PVC pipe without glue is possible. Our answer depends on what this PVC joint will be used for.

    What Kind of Connection Will This Be?

    PVC cement (or glue) is not like normal glue, which grabs onto substances and acts as a bonding agent itself. PVC and CPVC cement actually break down the external layers of the pipe, allowing the material to literally combine. This permanently bonds PVC pipe and fittings. If you are trying to use PVC pipe to transport fluid or gas, PVC cement or special push-on fittings are necessary to assure there are no leaks.

    Not all applications require a permanent seal like this, however. If you are putting together a structure out of PVC, you will likely have a large number of joints and connections. Putting cement on all of these PVC joints could be time-consuming and messy. This would also make it impossible to disassemble the structure later, so it may not be the most practical option. Let's look at a few options for non-permanent PVC pipe connections.

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  • A Guide for Choosing Plumbing Piping Materials

    types of piping materialsLearn About the Different Types of Piping Materials

    Sometimes plumbing projects can be daunting, especially for someone who is new to DIY plumbing. If you are making home renovations or replacing old piping, the first step is to figure out what material to use for piping. Choosing piping is a tough task, but can be made easy if you know the pros and cons of all the major types of piping materials. That's what we will be looking at in this post.

    Before you can decide what type of pipe to use, you need to consider what it will be used for. Is it delivering water? Draining it? Will it be outdoor? Indoor? Underground? High pressure or low? As you can see, you need to answer a lot of questions before making a decision. We can't answer all of those questions for you, but we can help you make that decision once you have the answers. Keep reading to learn about each of the major players in the plumbing pipe scene.

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  • The Different Types of Adhesives Used in PVC Piping Applications

    Different Types of PVC Pipe Adhesives

    If you've ever worked with PVC pipe, you will know that it fits together quite snugly on its own. The PVC sizing system is designed in a way that prevents most slipping from occurring, but this does not mean the seal between a pipe and fitting is air (or even water) tight. Whether you are making a plumbing/irrigation system or simply building a structure out of PVC pipe, adhesives can help! There are many types of PVC pipe adhesives, but how do you decide which to use?

    When choosing which adhesive to use, there are a few things to consider:

    1. What kind of material are you using (PVC, CPVC, CPVC, CTS)?
    2. Is the connection a slip or threaded end?
    3. Are there any code requirements?
    4. What are you hoping to achieve?
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  • Fiberglass vs. Polycarbonate Electrical Enclosures - What's the Difference?

    plastic vs fiberglass electrical enclosures gray lift off screw coverElectrical enclosures are a very common piece of hardware with a wide range of uses. They are available in many shapes and sizes, acting as a case or cabinet for electrical equipment. This equipment includes things such as switches, knobs, and displays. Electrical enclosures keep these pieces of equipment out of the elements. However, electrical enclosures also protect users. They can be used to house high-voltage electrical elements that could injure someone if they are not careful. The utility of electrical enclosures is undeniable, but there is one war that experts continue to fight: plastic vs fiberglass electrical enclosures.

    The term "plastic" is a blanket term that typically covers many different materials, including polycarbonates which often compose electrical enclosures. A great deal of these enclosures are made with fiberglass as well, which is not a polycarbonate. Therefore, many professionals and experts would debate on "polycarbonate vs fiberglass enclosures." As we will read below, each material has its own strengths and weaknesses. Which material to use will depend on what you need it for. Continue reading for the pros and cons of each of these great materials.

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  • Can You Use PVC Piping for Compressed Air?

    broken pvc pipe compressed air accidentPVC piping is inexpensive, versatile, and strong, considering how much it costs. It can transport liquids of all kinds, as it is highly corrosion-resistant. Despite how much it can do, there are certain jobs that PVC pipe just can't handle. One of those jobs is compressed air.

    When using PVC pipe with compressed air, you run serious risks. The most dangerous of these is that of explosion. If put under stress that it cannot handle, PVC pipe can explode, sending plastic shrapnel flying. There have been numerous cases of this happening in compressed air applications, so OSHA does not allow the transportation of compressed gases in above-ground applications.

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  • Plastic vs. PVC

     

    Many people don't realize that PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a plastic. They also don't realize how many uses it has aside from piping. It is commonly used in imitation leather, shower curtains, window frames, and curtains. When curious people do an online search for "PVC vs Plastic," what they should really be searching for is "PVC and other plastics compared," so that is what I will do.

    PVC is an extremely versatile material which is most commonly used for piping because of its inexpensive production and high mechanical strength. In this post, we will outline the major properties of PVC and compare it to some other common plastics. For the highest-quality, least expensive PVC pipe and fittings available, check out our online store!

    Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

    gray and white pvc pipeAs a material, PVC has not changed much since 1926. It has high hardness and mechanical strength, meaning it is very strong. It has a low temperature tolerance, breaking down at temperatures over 140 degrees Fahrenheit and melting at temperatures over 160 degrees, unless it is put through an extra chlorination process; this makes it CPVC. As far as its electrical properties, PVC has good insulation, but, because it has polar elements to its composition, it has worse insulation than other plastics, such as polyethylene and polypropylene.

    PVC is extremely chemical-resistant, able to withstand acids, salts, bases, fats, and alcohols. For this reason, it is often used in sewage piping. It is even resistant to some solvents, such as fuel and paint thinners, but some may damage it; therefore, using PVC to drain or hold solvents isn't recommended. PVC can be produced in a variety of colors, but primarily comes in white, dark gray, or blue-ish clear. In addition to the applications listed in the introduction, PVC is used for home siding and gutters, skiing equipment, medical tubing, and much more.

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  • How Strong is PVC Pipe?

     

    The above is a question very commonly asked. While it may seem like a simple question, how to define the strength of PVC pipe is far from straightforward. The term "strength" can mean a number of things, all of which cannot be covered in one blog post. The three types of strength measurements I will go into in this post are collapse pressure, burst pressure, and tensile strength. These are three of the most common ways to measure the strength of any type of pipe, so I will outline how different types and sizes of PVC compare in terms of those measurements. Included is a helpful PVC pipe strength chart for each, so you will know exactly how strong your PVC is.

    Tensile Strength

    Tensile strength is, to be put into simple terms, the maximum amount of weight that can be placed on something before it breaks or loses its original shape. PVC pipe tensile strength can be measured by hanging weight from the pipe until it bends or cracks.

    As you can see from the chart to the right, tensile strength of PVC pipe increases as the size of the pipe increases. 8" PVC pipe of either schedule is extremely strong for how inexpensive it is. The smaller sizes are exponentially weaker, but can still hold a great deal of weight if they must.

    pvc pipe strength chart tensile schedule 40 and 80

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  • PVC Fittings Guide

     

    pvc fittings on white background schedule 40 and schedule 80 different kindsAs a company with "PVC Fittings" in our name, we receive a lot of questions about fittings. These questions often have to do with pipe fittings sizes and dimensions, which makes sense because those topics can be confusing! Other questions are about the fittings themselves and what they are meant for. Compatibility and general pipe fitting knowledge can be overwhelming to someone who is new to the world of PVC! If you are trying to expand your PVC knowledge, you can use this blog post as a pipe fitting study guide! This pipe fittings guide will outline all the major types of PVC fittings as well as how and why to use them. This is a long post, so you can use the "Contents" section to navigate it!

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  • PVC End Types Explained

     

    If you've worked with PVC pipe for any length of time, you will know that there are many different PVC end types. From spigots to barbed inserts, the look and purpose of different PVC end types vary widely. For newcomers to the wide world of PVC, this may be daunting. However, this blog post will act as a guide and should answer any questions you may have about PVC end types. It may also serve as a refresher for seasoned veterans of piping. After reading this guide, PVC end types will no longer be a mystery!

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  • What Fittings Go Inside PVC Pipe?

     

    Most PVC fittings go outside pipe. This makes sense because, regardless of schedule, all PVC pipe of the same nominal size have the same outer diameter. That means any outer fittings can go on any pipe that is the same size. But sometimes you need to extend an already-existing pipeline. Other times you need to couple pipe but there's no room for a regular outer coupling. In both of these instances, you will need fittings that go inside pipe. With interior fittings, the schedule of pipe is important, as this affects the inner diameter of the pipe.

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