Five Things Your Customers Don't Know About CPVC

Success in the plumbing trade is down to understanding your customer’s perspective. Installers want a safe, hassle-free installation that doesn’t cost their business in the long run. Homeowners want clean, safe water for generations to come (they also want that same hassle-free installation!)

FlowGuard® CPVC is made of Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride, a material that might be an unfamiliar material to your enquiring homeowners.

Educate your client base with these five important facts about water safety and why FlowGuard CPVC makes a crucial difference.

Not All Pipe Material is the Same

Common piping materials include PPR, and PEX multilayer and will certainly be familiar to your customers. However, not all pipe material is the same. FlowGuard CPVC has been proven in scientific studies to outperform alternatives.  

Chemical analysis of CPVC, HDPE, PEX-A and PEX-B shows that CPVC is least likely to produce an unusual foreign odor by imparting additional chemicals. A worthy finding for any homeowner looking to improve their long term health and their plumbing. 

Chlorine is not Beneficial for All Pipes

Chlorine performs a crucial task at water treatment plants before it is piped into our homes. The chlorine and hypochlorous acid found in drinking water, while having no effect on human health, can in fact corrode certain plumbing materials. PPR, a most common plumbing material is known for its susceptibility to chlorine-based corrosion, limiting its ability to withstand years of repeated use. 

FlowGuard CPVC is a chlorinated material which means without chlorine, the formation of the compound that makes FlowGuard CPVC would not be possible. 

This provides an inherent immunity to chlorine-based corrosion and a sturdy structure in the home for decades.

Metal Isn’t Always the Strongest Material

It is tempting to assume that metal is naturally stronger than any plastic compound. In the case of distributing water, that is not always the case.

CPVC outperforms copper when it comes to corrosion and scaling. It is also less expensive to install than copper and more sustainable in the long term. Energy efficiency is going to be increasingly important in modern homes; remember this next time a homeowner enquires about CPVC over metal systems.

Heat Welding Doesn’t Always Get the Strongest Results

Heat welding, the method used in copper and PPR plumbing, creates uneven textures and surfaces on the inside of plumbing pipes, increasing the likelihood of microbial growth. 

FlowGuard CPVC’s internal performance is maintained using solvent cement welding. This fast, safe and much simpler process creates a smoother join at the molecular level, essentially transforming a network of pipes and fittings into one continuous pipe. This keeps internal flow healthy and minimises the growth of bacteria over time. 

Not All CPVC is the Same

While the benefits of FlowGuard CPVC over copper and plastic alternatives are many, it’s important to note that not all CPVC compounds guarantee these results. FlowGuard CPVC is certified for use in potable water applications by NSF International; a sign of quality not all CPVC products are able to promise.

Educating your customers in the major and subtle differences between CPVC and its counterparts will lead to long-term health benefits to the end-user, and a profitable end result throughout the supply chain.

For more helpful educational information for you and your customers, start with this video.

Join our Newsletter to get advice and news delivered direct to you!