How to Prepare for CPVC Pipe Installation in Hot Temperatures

When it comes to piping systems, the climate itself can pose a threat, with high temperatures affecting their durability over time and often leading to plumbing system failure. In countries where high temperatures are quite common and face exposure to harsh sunlight for prolonged hours, pipe installation can prove to be difficult. However, CPVC installation has been a popular choice for over 50 years in hot climates such as those in South California, 30 years in the Middle East, and more than 20 years in India. These CPVC plumbing system installations have been working fault-free while providing healthy, clean water to the building occupants. Read more to learn the relationship between CPVC installation and hot temperatures.

Learn About Plastic Piping and UV Exposure Impact

UV exposure is one of the most common reasons for the failure of CPVC piping systems. This is because UV creates free radicals, reactive and damaging reactions that lead to the degradation of the material, especially plastic piping. PPR, for example, is known to cause this free radical reaction both inside and outside of the pipe material. This damages its molecular structure, eventually leading to the complete replacement of the system. Additionally, UV light can accelerate the photooxidation of polymers, which reduces their molecular weight. This consequently makes the pipe material more brittle while reducing its tensile, impact, and elongation strengths.

Proper material specification and special precautions when handling, storing, and installing piping can reduce, if not eliminate, the risk of UV and high temperatures outside. FlowGuard Plus CPVC makes it all easier, as it is UV-resistant and engineered using a high-intensity UV reaction. Simply put, FlowGuard Plus CPVC would not exist without UV. UV blockers such as carbon black and titanium dioxide assist in preventing UV damage before installation.

When exposed to sunlight, FlowGuard Plus CPVC exhibits superficial visual effects. Although gloss loss and minor discoloration are common, these cosmetic changes have no bearing on system performance or longevity. It is recommended that FlowGuard Plus CPVC pipe and fittings be stored indoors, under non-transparent material, to prevent discoloration before installation.

What Installers Need to Know About Hot-Temperature CPVC Installation

FlowGuard Plus CPVC has been employed in water distribution systems all over the world, in places including Africa, South and Central America, India, and the Middle East. Hot temperatures accelerate the solvent-cement welding process, which makes installation faster.

A Few CPVC Installation Best Practices Employed by Experts

To preserve the optimum performance of the CPVC, you can employ some of these best practices performed by experts from the aforementioned regions:

• For a safer, more accurate, and more efficient installation, you must join seams in cooler areas or the shade.
• You must make sure that the CPVC pipe and fittings are joined while the solvent cement is still wet.
• Solvent cement tends to dry faster in these climates, so you must make sure that the installation process is done without any delay.
  
  
• If the solvent cement dries before the joining, you must either cut the section where the solvent cement was applied or use sandpaper to gently remove the residual solvent and restart the process.
  
  
• To prevent exterior discoloration, store FlowGuard Plus CPVC material indoors beneath a non-transparent material.
• The colour of solvent cement varies by region; always adhere to the storage instructions on the solvent cement label.

Why work with CPVC pipe in hot conditions?

Not all plumbing materials are suitable for hot conditions. CPVC fittings and pipes, on the other hand, can be installed in regions where high temperatures are common. Consider FlowGuard Plus your go-to choice for CPVC installation in hot climatic regions, as they are specifically engineered using high-intensity UV reactions and are practically UV-resistant. Explore the FlowGuard Plus website for more details on CPVC pipes and fittings.