Why ABS instead of PVC?
I have noticed that all the DWV plumbing in my MH is ABS plastic. Is there a technical reason why ABS is used exclusively? Is it just that ABS costs about 1/2 of what PVC costs? If I redo a goodly por...
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Here in Canada, our plumbing code requires ABS indoors (except for cast iron in some applications) and out to 6' beyond a building where it can then be run as PVC. ABS and PVC are readily available everywhere here. In the US, PVC is the standard in buildings. Not sure why the difference. It's annoying for us Canadians trying to by a few pieces of ABS in stores in the US. 'Course, you can always go to an RV dealer and pay like 10 times what it should be.
The reason ABS is used in RVs could be because of the applicable plumbing standard for RVs ((NFPA 1192?). Or it could be because exposed PVC becomes more brittle when exposed to cold temps and it's easier and better to run everything in ABS rather than having to deal with transition cement or Fernco fittings which could be problematic. Gluing PVC joints using primer requires some patience and skill and I can just imagine all the failed joints that could occur at the factories by the typical workforce they use. Cutting PVC is harder on tools. It could be, all things considered overall, using ABS is cheaper.
Unless you go with sched 40 PVC, ABS is strong as heck. ABS would be a better choice under an RV due to the potential for it being damaged. Glued joints in ABS last longer and are stronger. Unless primer is used first on PVC joints they can easily fail over time.
The reason ABS is used in RVs could be because of the applicable plumbing standard for RVs ((NFPA 1192?). Or it could be because exposed PVC becomes more brittle when exposed to cold temps and it's easier and better to run everything in ABS rather than having to deal with transition cement or Fernco fittings which could be problematic. Gluing PVC joints using primer requires some patience and skill and I can just imagine all the failed joints that could occur at the factories by the typical workforce they use. Cutting PVC is harder on tools. It could be, all things considered overall, using ABS is cheaper.
Unless you go with sched 40 PVC, ABS is strong as heck. ABS would be a better choice under an RV due to the potential for it being damaged. Glued joints in ABS last longer and are stronger. Unless primer is used first on PVC joints they can easily fail over time.
