Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is a plastic pipe widely used in water supply and drainage, wire and cable, and other fields. How long do PVC pipes last? I believe it is a topic that every customer will care about. This article will introduce in detail the service life of PVC pipes and the factors that affect the service life of PVC pipes.
The service life of PVC pipes is usually about 15 years, but the specific service life is affected by many factors, including the use environment, whether it is buried, the type of pressure resistance of the pipe, water quality, and water pressure.
How long do pvc pipes last?
1. Under normal circumstances, the life of PVC pipes is about 15 years. If the PVC pipe is buried underground or in the wall, it is generally okay for life, because such an environment avoids direct exposure to the external environment and reduces the possibility of aging. However, if the PVC pipe is exposed, it is easily affected by the external environment, such as direct sunlight, temperature changes, etc., resulting in aging, and its service life is about 15 years.
2. For some modified PVC pipes, such as CPVC, due to its better pressure and temperature resistance, the service life can reach about 25 years. In addition, PVC pipes can be used safely under long-term internal pressure for 50 years when the water temperature is 40℃ and the drainage temperature is not more than 80℃.
3. The actual service life of PVC pipes is also related to their installation and use conditions. For example, if the PVC pipe is pre-buried underground or in the wall, it may have a service life of 30 years without exposure and freezing. In addition, the type of pressure resistance of the pipe is also an important factor. The greater the pressure resistance, the thicker the pipe wall and the longer the service life.
4. The use of PVC pipes is also related to water quality and water pressure. If the water quality is poor or the water pressure is too high, it may damage the pipe, thus affecting its service life.
Factors affecting the life of PVC pipe
1. Use environment: Theoretically, the service life of PVC pipes can reach 50 years, but in fact, its service life is affected by the ambient temperature. The ambient temperature for PVC pipes should generally be between 0℃ and 70℃, and the optimal ambient temperature is between 5℃ and 60℃. Therefore, during construction, PVC pipes should be buried underground or installed indoors as much as possible to avoid heat sources to extend their service life.
2. Buried conditions: The buried depth of PVC pipes should be at least 0.8m. At the same time, when backfilling, the pipes should be avoided from contacting with hard materials such as stones to avoid damage to the pipe body when subjected to external pressure. The problem of thermal expansion and contraction can be solved by using live sleeves in part or all of the pipelines during construction.
3. Pipe quality: The service life of PVC pipes is closely related to their quality, including the physical properties of the pipes, the production process, and the formula for actual application. For example, the selection and use of stabilizers will affect the aging resistance and service life of PVC pipes. The calcium carbonate content and modifiers added to the pipe will also affect its aging resistance and service life.
4. Direct sunlight: Exposed pipes are prone to physical degradation (aging) due to long-term exposure to direct sunlight and ultraviolet rays, which shortens their service life. Therefore, the service life of exposed pipes is generally short, usually around 10 to 15 years (unless it is used abnormally)
In summary, although the service life of PVC pipes can theoretically reach 50 years, in actual use, its life is affected by many factors, so the specific service life needs to be evaluated based on actual conditions.
