CPVC/PVC plumbing questions

[RogerT]

Your original idea about using all cpvc is ok. I have used the
sharkbite connectors and have not had a problem. They are expensive
but I used a couple in a situation where I had to transition from cpvc
to pex. It would save you from having to do any soldering. Otherwise
I would go with a solder on female threaded coupler and a male pvc
threaded coupler. It's better to make the cpvc side male.....

Thanks. I was thinking of doing it that way but one of the codes I found
(
http://publicecodes.citation.com/icod/irc/2009/icod_irc_2009_29_sec005_par035.htm )
seems to indicate that only approved adapters that are made for transitions
from one type of material to another are allowed. I am not sure if I am
reading that correctly. However, since they do make adapter fittings
(transition unions, I think) that are specifically made for going from CPVC
to copper, I'll probably use those.

..... I'm guessing you have one large hot water heater and you plan
to switch to three smaller hot water heaters? Are you switchng to
three meters as well?

The property already has 3 separate hot water heaters and 3 separate
boiler/furnaces -- one of each for each apartment. So, I will be changing
from the one meter that is there now to 3 water meters -- one for each unit.

 

[RogerT]

Why doesnt OP not want to use PEX??

Its cheap, easy to work with, going with all home runs from fixture to
manifold means theres no fittings buried in walls to leak. ands all
home runs makes isolating a problem easy......

PEX has no downsides and all advantages

I was originally planning on using PEX. But, in this case, I decided
against it.

The way the layout is set up, it turns out that it wouldn't make sense to
try to do manifolds and a home-run type of setup. One reason is that the
existing plumbing goes up through the walls etc. to each apartment and it
wouldn't be practical to try to do new home runs to each fixture.

It also turns out that the cold water coming into the property is in the
front of the building and the utility room where the 3 hot water heaters and
3 boiler/furnaces are located is in the back of the building. And, all of
the fixtures for each apartment are in the middle. So, rather than running
the supply from the front to the back, and putting in 6 manifolds there (3
hot and 3 cold) for home runs, I decided to use a more traditional plumbing
layout.

And, another reason for not using PEX is that there are some sharp turns
required in a space where PEX bends would not fit. And, if I did the PEX
with fittings etc. to make the turns, the cost of all of that would be a lot
more than just using CPVC pipe and CPVC fittings.

 

[RogerT]

I am running new plumbing lines in the basement of a 3-unit apartment
building that I own. The purpose of the re-plumbing is to separate
out the water service for each unit. All of the existing plumbing is
copper. . . .

. . . . My plan right now is to use CPVC pipe and fittings for all
of the new plumbing and to tie that into the existing copper lines
for each apartment. . . . .

And, any thoughts, suggestions, pointers etc. regarding the whole
CPVC (or CPVC and PVC) project would also be appreciated.

Thanks everyone. Final update -- we finished the project last night using
all CPVC pipe and fittings plus the transition adapters to connect the CPVC
to the existing copper. It worked out great and now the water is completely
separated out for each apartment unit as planned.

I am REALLY appreciative of those who pointed out that the code no longer
allows for PVC for cold water distribution within the dewlling, and that
CPVC is now required for both cold and hot distribution lines. So, we went
with all CPVC and we used the one-step yellow no-cleaning-solvent-required
type of CPVC glue.

 

[KC]

And, any thoughts, suggestions, pointers etc. regarding the whole CPVC (or
CPVC and PVC) project would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

I had some sticks of CPVC left over from a project about 10 years
ago. They were stored inside my shop. When I went to use them for
another project this week, I found that they had turned brittle, to
the point that PVC cutters would shatter them rather than cut thru
them. Don't know what this says about installed CPVC other than I
hope I never have to splice into an older install.

 

[HerHusband]

I had some sticks of CPVC left over from a project about 10 years

ago. They were stored inside my shop. When I went to use them for
another project this week, I found that they had turned brittle, to
the point that PVC cutters would shatter them rather than cut thru
them. Don't know what this says about installed CPVC other than I
hope I never have to splice into an older install.

Were your pipes exposed to sunlight? If I remember correctly, CPVC does not
have UV protection, which would probably cause the pipe to break down in
sunlight. (Grey PVC conduit does have UV protection).

 

[jamesgangnc]

Were your pipes exposed to sunlight? If I remember correctly, CPVC does not
have UV protection, which would probably cause the pipe to break down in
sunlight. (Grey PVC conduit does have UV protection).

I agree. Sounds like it was exposed to uv. I have cpvc in my lake
house. It's 8 years old and it cuts fine.

 

[Harry K]

I agree.  Sounds like it was exposed to uv.  I have cpvc in my lake
house.  It's 8 years old and it cuts fine.

Mine is around 25-30 years old, no problems.

Harry K

 

[virginiaharms]

I am running new plumbing lines in the basement of a 3-unit apartment
building that I own. The purpose of the re-plumbing is to separate out the
water service for each unit. All of the existing plumbing is copper. The
hot and cold copper lines that go to each individual apartment are easily
accessible in the basement, so separating out the water service for each
apartment will be easy because all I will need to do is tie into the copper
lines for each apartment in the ceiling of the basement.

I don't want to use copper, and I think I am probably not going to go with
PEX. My plan right now is to use CPVC pipe and fittings for all of the new
plumbing and to tie that into the existing copper lines for each apartment.

One question I have is whether to use all CPVC, or use CPVC for the hot
water lines and PVC for the cold water lines. My inclination is to use all
CPVC rather than try to save a few bucks on materials by using PVC for the
cold water lines. Does that make sense? Is there any reason NOT to just
use all CPVC instead of trying to use both CPVC and PVC, other than the cost
of materials?

I also have questions about how to connect the CPVC to the existing copper
lines. I can easily solder female threaded adapters to the ends of the
existing copper lines and use male threaded CPVC adapters to make the
connections. But, I think there may be a problem with doing that for hot
water connections due to possible variations in expansion of the two
materials and, therefore, possible future leaks at the connections. I have
seen the Sharkbite and Watts push-on connection adapters but they make me
nervous in terms of how secure the connections would be. And, I believe
there are copper to CPVC adapters that either screw onto, or get soldered to
(I am not sure about that), the copper and then are glued to the CPVC pipe.

I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions on how to best make the
connections from the CPVC to the existing copper.

And, any thoughts, suggestions, pointers etc. regarding the whole CPVC (or
CPVC and PVC) project would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

Hi All,

Looking for abit of advise:
Started my build just recently however my guy doing the groundwork said that I would be better to put the pipes all around the perimeter of the house like old method that way he would leave the paths open when poring the floors and the plumber could come afterwards and install the pipes.

However I have been talking to a few plumbers and they said they don't do this anymore and that they would advise the new way as there would be no connection under the floor eitherways. At first I was keen on the old method in case there was ever a leak but now I'm not so sure? Any info or advise as to what is best would be helpful.