Choosing Between Pvc And Hdpe Piping

Choosing Between Pvc And Hdpe Piping

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It used to be that if pipes needed to be run then the only option was heavy, expensive metal piping. Thankfully in the 1950's plastics were created that were sturdy enough to be used for piping. PVC and HDPE are the two most common plastic pipes in use today and both are safe to use in many situations. Choosing between the two boils down to knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each.

PVC is a rigid plastic pipe. This makes it strong but also somewhat brittle. It can be manufactured in long lengths and large diameter making it ideal for buried piping. It can withstand large temperature extremes, all the way down to -40 degrees Celsius.


When compared to metal pipes PVC is more likely to remain free flowing. It does not rust or build up scale on its walls so there is no risk of clogging due to these things. This plastic is somewhat susceptible to scratching though which leads to the potential of clogs due to debris getting caught on the rough walls.

HDPE pipes are flexible, not rigid. This means that they can easily be adapted to fit almost any scheme. It also means that it can be used in places where vibrations might crack the more rigid PVC pipe. It does just as well in high temperatures as other plastic pipes but it can only withstand the cols down to 0 degrees.

Like PVC, this piping will never rust or clog due to corrosion. However, it is more resistant to scratching. The inside of these pipes will remain smooth for many years after installation which means many years of care free flow.

One important difference between these two plastic pipes is the effect they have on the environment. Chlorine and dioxin are chemicals used in the manufacturing of PVC piping. Both of these compounds can have negative effects on the environment and have been shown to cause cancer. Neither of these chemicals are used in the making of HDPE and so it is considered to be ecologically safer.

Both PVC and HDPE piping can be used effectively in a variety of situations. Take the time to find out the strengths and weaknesses of each and compare it to the projects needs. After doing that you should be able to rest assured that you have chosen the best piping for the job.

About the Author:
The Ohio-based geothermal energy product distributor, Geo-Hydro Supply, connects geothermal system installers with the top-grade geothermal supplies they need, such as a gt flow center and fusion fittings. With over 20 years of geothermal installation experience, they supply only the best, long-lasting geothermal supplies.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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