PVC is one of today's most widely used building materials. In fact, a study prepared for the American Chemistry Council found that consumers used over 6.4 million metric tons of PVC across the United States and Canada in 2007. Nearly half of that – 48 percent – was used for plumbing in both commercial and residential settings.

What makes PVC the popular choice for both new piping installations and repairs? Many property managers find that PVC plumbing provides huge economic and safety advantages. Even in a large multi-family community, PVC piping is durable, long-lasting and easy to maintain.

Reducing Costs with PVC

In the same study, researchers noted that consumers in the United States and Canada saved more than $20 billion dollars by using PVC for new construction or to replace existing fixtures. Nearly 46 percent of those savings came from the use of PVC piping and fittings. Property managers can take advantage of these savings in two ways:

·       Reduced installation costs.

·       Reduced maintenance and repair costs.

The lowered costs make PVC a very attractive option for multi-family complexes. It enables the property manager to lower rental unit costs. In the event of a plumbing failure, residents won't be inconvenienced by long repair times.

How Does PVC Reduce Installation Costs?

If you're building a new structure, PVC will cut labor costs. Small diameter piping is easy to cut with hand tools, while large PVC pipes are quickly cut with an inexpensive saw. Joining pipes and fittings is simple with a chemical welding process that takes minutes.

Pricing per foot for copper plumbing is several times higher than the cost of PVC piping. At retail prices, you can expect to pay around 50 cents per linear foot of PVC piping, while copper retails for anywhere between $1.50 and $2.00 per linear foot.

Reducing Repair Costs with PVC Piping

PVC piping will never rust, rot or corrode, unlike metal piping. It is resistant to weathering and abrasion. PVC is also impervious to mineralization, microbes or damage from acids and other compounds in the water. The somewhat flexible nature of PVC means that it will suffer less damage in the piping from vibrations — or even during larger disasters such as earthquakes.

In environments where temperatures dip below freezing, PVC piping is an ideal choice. Metal plumbing, because of its rigidity, tends to burst as water freezes and expands. PVC prevents many wintertime plumbing problems because the pipe will stretch before it bursts.

For properties with existing galvanized steel or copper plumbing, PVC works well for repairs because it does not cause corrosion where it comes into contact with metal fittings. In fact, there are a variety of PVC fittings – such as compression fittings – that are made specifically for use in metal plumbing repairs.

The Versatility of PVC Piping

According to the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association, PVC pipe is the one type of plastic pipe that is suitable for nearly any plumbing application. Since it is ideal for both indoor and outdoor purposes, it is widely used for sewer lines and drains, water service, venting and even sprinkler systems, gas lines and irrigation.

PVC Offers Safety Advantages

Because it is so popular not only for plumbing applications, but also for a variety of construction need, PVC is backed by more research and testing than any other type of plastic. Polyvinyl chloride is a completely non-toxic material. When properly installed, it will never leach harmful substances into the water supply.

PVC piping is also fire resistant. Instead of melting and spreading like conventional plastic, PVC chars when exposed to flames. It is a self-extinguishing substance, meaning that once the flame is removed, PVC will stop burning.

What are the Disadvantages to PVC Piping?

PVC is not meant to supply hot water. At temperatures higher than 140 degrees (Fahrenheit), it can soften and release toxins into the water supply. In those instances, CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) may be used. CPVC is heat resistant up to 200 degrees. In rare situations where water temperatures will be even higher, other pipe materials are recommended.

Because CPVC is still relatively new to the plumbing industry, there are places in the United States where building codes restrict its use. Copper plumbing installations ensure code complianceanywhere in the United States.

PEX, or polyethylene, piping is extremely flexible, making it a viable alternative for repairs in tight and awkward spaces. However, PEX is not code compliant in all areas, and its flexibility makes it more fragile than most other types of piping.

Whether you're planning new construction or looking for an alternative to existing plumbing, PVC piping is a great choice. Low material and maintenance costs paired with durability and longevity make PVC piping a sound investment for many applications.