Schedule 40 PVC is usually white in color and has thinner walls, thus can handle less pressure than it's counterpart. Schedule 40 PVC pipe works best for low water pressure applications. By contrast, Schedule 80 PVC is usually gray in color and has thicker walls; therefore, it can handle higher water pressures.
White. White is the most common PVC pipe color and is commonly seen in plumbing and irrigation. Though it is the most common color for these projects, it is not a requirement to use white PVC pipe for plumbing.
PVC pipe that is used for plumbing is usually white while electrical conduit PVC is usually gray. These are the standard colors, but you can find PVC that has had chemical additives added during the manufacturing process to create different colored pipes.
The strongest type of PVC pipe is Schedule 80 PVC pipe. It has a thicker wall than Schedule 40 PVC pipe, making it more impact resistant and durable in high pressure/high temperature applications. Unlike Schedule 40 PVC pipe, Schedule 80 PVC pipe will not deform when carrying high volumes of water over long distances.
PVC piping color codes are important because they help workers easily identify the kind of content that the pipe can carry; if they are hazardous or not. This also aids in the prevention of accidents from happening to the workers and in the facility.
Schedule 40 PVC is usually white in color and has thinner walls, thus can handle less pressure than it's counterpart. Schedule 40 PVC pipe works best for low water pressure applications. By contrast, Schedule 80 PVC is usually gray in color and has thicker walls; therefore, it can handle higher water pressures.
PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride) is white, while ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is usually black or grey. ABS piping is typically stronger than PVC and is more resistant to thermal shock from extreme cold, but it may warp if left exposed to direct sunlight. This makes ABS well-suited for underground pipe applications.
This means that PVC-O is an excellent choice for pressure pipes for drinking water. PVC-O is also well suited for buried non-potable applications such as irrigation and sewer pumping mains.
ABS, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is a black plastic pipe that is commonly used for drainage, sewage, and vents. It is also often used in DWV systems (drain-waste-vent), which are designed to remove wastewater from a home or business.
The best PVC glue for high-pressure applications is Type P PVC Glue. The P stands for pressure, and it means you can use it for high-pressure applications, including potable water.
Red – Electric power lines, conduit and cables. Orange – Telecommunication, alarm or signal lines. Yellow – Gas, oil, steam, petroleum, or other flammable material. Green – Sewage and drain lines. Blue – Drinking water.
IPEX Reclaimed (purple) PVC irrigation pipes provide an effective solution for reclaimed irrigation (rainwater, grey water) applications. The products can be used in both residential and commercial reclaimed water systems.
Pure PVC is white in color. PVC is one of the most used plastic materials in the world.
Schedule 40 is the most common PVC type. Schedule 80 PVC is thicker and stronger, which enables it to handle higher pressures. Usually, PVC is only used for cold water pipes since hot water can eventually break down the plastic material.
Color Codes for Pipes
The color yellow specifically is used with black lettering to denote the presence of flammable and oxidizing liquids and gases.
There are two common types of PVC pipe – schedule 40 PVC and schedule 80 PVC. Schedule 40 PVC is usually white in color and schedule 80 is usually a dark gray (they can also be found in other colors). Their most important difference, though, is in their design. Schedule 80 pipe is designed with a thicker wall.
As one of the most-used plumbing materials, PVC pipe is known for being very durable and long-lasting. In fact, PVC pipes last approximately 100 years.
The primary purpose of black steel pipe is to carry natural gas into homes and businesses. The pipe is manufactured without a seam, making it a stronger and safer pipe to carry gas. The black steel pipe is also used for fire sprinkler systems because it is more fire-resistant than galvanized pipe.
The typical benchmark for HDPE life expectancy is 50 years; however, per the Plastics Pipe Institute, HDPE pipe used in municipal potable water systems can have a lifespan of over 100 years.
Look on the main supply pipe near your water meter for a conical valve that has a bolt sticking out of the cone. To raise pressure, turn the bolt clockwise after loosening its locknut. Keep an eye on the gauge to make sure the pressure is within bounds, then retighten the locknut.
Copper Pipes
Copper pipes remain popular among plumbers and homeowners alike because they are corrosion-resistant and best suited to protect the quality of the water. Copper pipes are able to handle high water pressure and are tolerant of both hot and cold water temperatures.
Cast iron pipe is the most appropriate sewer material to resist high internal and external pressure. These pipes are stronger and capable to withstand greater tensile, compressive, as well as bending stresses.
The quick and easy answer is, no, not really. PVC does surprisingly well when exposed to ultra violet rays (sunlight). Research shows little to no effect on PVC's tensile strength or elasticity after prolonged sun exposure. The only degradation that seems to occur is impact strength.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) piping is a type of plastic piping that's similar to PVC and distinguishable by its black color. Known for its long lifespan, ABS is used only for drain and waste piping.
If you're plumbing in a new drain or vent and have to join two different kinds of plastic pipe, black ABS and white PVC, don't assume that you can simply glue them together. Most plumbing codes don't allow ABS pipe to be solvent-welded (glued) to PVC. Check with your local plumbing inspector.