Installing CPVC Plumbing Pipes With Metal

Retrofitting a building with a new plumbing system, remodelling existing plumbing or plumbing in a new build can be successfully completed with a combination of pipe materials. It all comes down to this; skills and compatibility. With FlowGuard CPVC, plumbers can adopt the skills they need to safely install hybrid plumbing systems using a variety of digital resources you can access today.

Your client may wish to use a combination of CPVC plumbing pipes and copper. Before this is considered, it is worth reminding them of the advantages of FlowGuard CPVC over copper pipes:  

• Superior corrosion resistance
• Superior resistance to scaling
• Highly cost effective, particularly in repairs
• Shorter installation time
• Greatly reduces hazards during installation
• Naturally insulating material
• Energy saving

However, sometimes it’s necessary for different piping systems to work together. Fortunately, it can be done. FlowGuard CPVC pipes and fittings can be installed in conjunction with copper, adding a substantial improvement to existing plumbing systems, taking advantage of the superior technical and performance qualities above.

Best practises for integrating CPVC into metal plumbing systems

Successful installers worldwide are incorporating FlowGuard CPVC pipes into copper plumbing systems; here’s how

The FlowGuard CPVC compression fitting screws easily into metal adaptors, allowing you to connect to a variety of pipe diameters, using a threaded CPVC brass adapter or copper to CPVC flange adapter.

The pipe fitting you require can be quickly and easily dry fit to the CPVC brass adapter fitting. 

The prepared fitting should then be tested in situ, by dry fitting the required metal pipe in order to determine the correct pipe dimensions. 

Your CPVC and copper fitting can then be securely installed and integrated into the building’s plumbing structure.

CPVC brass adapter fittings

Assessing metal and CPVC plumbing pipe compatibility

It is always recommended to check for any compatibility issues between FlowGuard CPVC pipe and fittings, solvent cement and ancillary piping, fittings and fixings. The FBC System Compatible Program makes this process much easier.

Every product listed within the FBC System Compatible program has been carefully tested in a third party lab for chemical compatibility with FlowGuard CPVC. Any alterations to product formulations are re-evaluated and manufacturing facilities are fully audited by the same third-party lab. 

This process eliminates guesswork by specifiers and installers and ensures hybrid piping systems perform as required. It is important to note that not all CPVC is the same; materials that carry the FBC mark of approval are only approved for use with Lubrizol Advanced Materials’ brands, such as FlowGuard CPVC. 

To see integration of FlowGuard CPVC and copper in a typical professional plumbing system and for more technical guidance on using and installing FlowGuard CPVC, watch our installer video series.