Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

            As a plumber and working in related fields, you work with a lot of different types of parts and all sorts of different pipe.  Since there are so many different things that you work with, it is important to know the difference between the pipe that is available and what each type of pipe specifically requires.  One of the types of pipe that is used a lot in the plumbing industry is called PVC pipe.  It comes in a few different varieties and can be used for a number of different applications.

 

 

            PVC pipe is used within the home as a drain pipe.  This drain pipe can be used for carrying water that comes from sink drains, toilets, and other water using appliances out of the home and to the sewer system.  The pipe that is used inside of the home is different than the pipe that is used outside of the home.  The PVC pipe that goes in the home for the purpose described above is referred to as PVC DWV (D=Drain, W=Waste, V=Vent).  It is also used to vent certain types of water heaters.  It is a schedule 40 pipe that isn’t designed to be used for pressurized applications.

 

 

            The pipe that leads from the outside of the home to the sewer or septic system is referred to as PVC Sewer pipe.  It is generally thinner than the pipe that is used for the inside of the home and there is a size difference to it as well.  In fact, to connect the inside waste pipe to the outside waste pipe, an adapter needs to be used.  Sewer pipe comes in two thicknesses and styles.  SDR 35 is thicker and is used closer to the home.  As the pipe goes out further, the thinner sewer pipe can be used.  Regular sewer pipe is solid and won’t allow anything to drain out of it.  In some applications the use of perforated pipe is acceptable.  This style of sewer pipe has a series of holes that allow liquid to seep out.  Both of these different types of sewer pipes cannot handle pressurized applications.

 

 

            Another type of PVC is used in the irrigation industry.  The most commonly used pipe is referred to as PVC Schedule 40 pipe.  This type of pipe is used in residential, as well as commercial, sprinkler systems.  In order for the system to work correctly, there needs to be a specific amount of water pressure to force the heads out of the ground and for the water being sprayed to cover the expected areas.  For this reason, this type of PVC is designed to withstand pressure.

 

 

            In all of these applications, the pipe and all the fittings that are used need to be connected using some sort of adhesive.  Glue that is specific to PVC must be used for all three of these applications.  However, when the use of pressurized water or other pressure applications come into play, a primer must be used before the glue is applied.  Using primer will strengthen the connection ensuring that the pressure won’t blow the line.