Flexible PVC Pipe FAQ (Also see our glossary and PVC Fittings help pages.
Does your Flexible PVC pipe fit standard Sch 40 fittings?
YES! Both Sch 40 and Sch 80 fittings will glue to Flexible PVC pipe using standard PVC glue and primer. Cut the pipe, prime both the pipe and fitting, glue both pipe and fitting and stick them together. That's it. Just like any other PVC pipe.
How can I identify my pipe size?
Read it off the existing pipe or measure the inside diameter. If you need help identifying your existing pipe size, see our sch 40 pvc pipe size chart
Do you have any specifications on pvc pipe?
See:
How long will it to take to get my order?
- If you are ordering flexible pvc pipe by the roll, 2-4 business days is normal for ground shipping.
- If you are ordering pvc fittings by the box, 2-4 business days is normal for ground shipping.
- If you are ordering individual fittings or flexible pvc pipe by the foot, 5-7 business days is normal for ground shipping.
- If your order is for 4' or 8' sections of flexible pvc pipe, 3 business days (west coast) to 7 business days (east coast) is normal for ground shipping.
- If your order is a combination of the above, then expect 5-7 business days.
If there is any severe weather anywhere in the country it can delay shipping. While the severe weather may not be in your location, it could be at the location of the warehouse shipping your order. So be patient if there is any severe weather anywhere. Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. If you are in a rush for certain items, but not in a rush for other items, it's best to put in two orders. Small items can usually be shipped quickly for a reasonable amount, whereas large boxes of fittings or rolls of pipe can easily top $100 or more for rush delivery, so consider your options carefully. Postal express mail is good for small items, however, they do not guarantee overnight shipping. Overnight guaranteed will usually be $50 or more for a small order or $100 or more for large orders. Note: Overnight service is only guaranteed to a business address. Best to plan your job ahead of time. :-) Also, please see the Shipping page for more information, including will call options.
How will my order be shipped?
- If you are ordering flexible pvc pipe by the roll, UPS or DHL via ground shipping.
- If you are ordering pvc fittings by the box, UPS or DHL ground shipping.
- If you are ordering individual fittings or flexible pvc pipe orders less than 2 pounds these usually ship postal priority mail. Orders over 2 pounds usually ship via DHL ground.
- If your order is for 4' or 8' sections of flexible pvc pipe, they always go DHL Ground.
- If your order is a combination of the above, any and all of the above could apply.
Will I get my order faster if I call it in?
No. Using the online shopping cart is the fastest way because it's about 90% automated. Calling in requires manually taking the order and then entering it into the computer system, adding at least 2 extra steps. You are welcome to call in the order if you just like talking to a person, but using the online shopping cart is not only faster, but it'll give you a record (via email) of your order as well. Also, very important, we do not accept returns on phone orders. Please see our Return Policy for more information.
Can you charge my UPS/Fedex/DHL account for shipping?
Sometimes. It depends on what you are ordering and what warehouse it ships from. You will have to call Fedex, DHL and/or UPS to schecule the pickup. We can't do that, none of them will not allow it. We will give you the location for the pickup depending on the product you are ordering. Best thing to do is email us first with a list of products you'd like to buy.
Do you ship to Hawaii?
Yes. It's a bit more expensive, but we can ship most products to Hawaii.
Do you ship to Canada?
Mostly. Some items (small fittings) under 4 pounds can go global priority mail for a semi-reasonable amount. ($20-$35 US.) But rolls of flex pipe or boxes of fittings are expensive to ship to Canada. (Expect $50-$80 US in shipping rolls or multiple boxes of fittings.) In cases like this, it's better to have us ship to a US/Canada freight forwarding service. You can usually find them in your local phone directory under "freight forwarders." Shipping to a freight forwarders US address is no problem.
Feel free to put your order in and we'll do our best to get you the best rates.
How flexible is flex pvc?
See our flexible pvc pipe page.
How do I order something I can't find on the website?
We carry over 30,000 pvc fittings and other pvc parts. We put the most popular and unusual items on the website, but this is by no means our full line. To order something you can't find on the website, go to the shopping cart checkout and enter your information and then list the items you need in the comments section of the form. We'll get you a price and email or call you to get your approval. Note: we special in schedule 40 and schedule 80 pressure fittings and valves. We don't sell drainage pipe or fittings and we don't sell electrical conduit fittings at this time.
What's the minimum bend radius?
See our specs page.
What codes do your flexible pvc pipe meet?
All white Flexible PVC pipe 1/2" to 2" we sell meets applicable UPC, USPC, ANSI, IAMPO, and NSF 50 (white only) specifications, as well as City of LA, Southern Building Code, and Dade County for PVC Hose, but is not for use with potable water. The gray flexible PVC is approved for UL in sizes 1/2", 3/4" 1" & 2" for electrical conduit, but you have to specify "UL rated" in the "comments" section on your order and there is a 10% addition to the price of the pipe. Only gray is available with a UL rating. There are no ratings for black flexible PVC pipe so there are none to meet. Beige flexible pvc pipe has been discontinued.
*Note regarding flexible PVC pipe 2.5" or above, and gray or black colored flexible PVC: There are no plumbing or swimming pool codes for flexible pvc pipe 2.5" and above so these sizes of flexible pvc pipe can't meet any. The color for 2.5" and above is black or gray. Flexible PVC pipe in 2.5" and larger sizes only available by the roll or 4' sections, 8' sections, by the foot and sometimes in the clearance section. Black flexible PVC pipe is only approved for irrigation and pools. Also see shipping cost for additional shipping information. The beige color has been discontinued.
Note: Flexpvc is NOT rated for potable (drinking) water.
When is "schedule 40" not schedule 40?
Our flexible PVC is different from rigid different in 2 very big ways: 1) FlexPVC is not rated for potable (drinking) water, and 2) FlexPVC will not take the pressure rigid pvc will. (See chart below.) Also, FlexPVC is treated as a hose by the building industry, not a pipe. Thus our hose fits Schedule 40 fittings (dimensionally) and can be used in place of schedule 40 pipe for many applications, but it does not meet all the requirements for schedule 40 pipe. (If you look at the specification on the home page you'll see the pressure ratings are not the same as schedule 40 pipe.) So, while we call it "flexible pvc pipe" in reality it's a hose that fits perfectly into schedule 40 fittings, but it can't meet the most stringent "schedule 40 pipe" requirements.
What is the temperature range for this pipe?
The recommended range is -30F to 140F. Of course you should always winterize your pipe by drain any fluid that might freeze during the winter.
At temperatures over 140F the pipe becomes too soft and could kink at the bends.
I can only find pipe rated for 73F, do you offer higher temperature pipe?
The temperature you see printed on the pipe is temperature rating for that pressure. All sch. 40 and sch. 80 pvc pipe can easily go to 140F and some higher. Flex pvc pipe maxes out at 140F though. However, as the temperature raises the pressure rating goes down. At 100F, PVC pipe has only a 62% pressure rating as compared to 73F. At 140F, it has a rating only 22% of the rating at 73F. (This is true of all PVC products, not just FlexPVC.)
How much pressure/vacuum will Flex PVC take?
See this chart:
| Pipe Size | Minimum
Bend radius | Working
Pressure
(PSI@68F) | Burst
Pressure
(PSI@68F) | Vacuum
Rating
("Hg@68F) |
|---|
| 1/2" | 2" | 100 | 400 | 28 |
| 3/4" | 2" | 100 | 400 | 28 |
| 1" | 3" | 100 | 355 | 28 |
| 1-1/4" | 4" | 80 | 250 | 28 |
| 1-1/2" | 5" | 65 | 200 | 28 |
| 2" | 8" | 60 | 175 | 28 |
| 2-1/2" | 10" | 50 | 125 | 28 |
| 3" | 12" | 50 | 125 | 28 |
| 4" | 18" | 45 | 110 | 28 |
| 6" | 24" | 45 | 100 | 28 |
Remember, the pressure ratings shown are at 73F temp. At higher temperatures, the rating will be lower. If you need high temperature (over 140F) PVC pipe, you need CPVC pipe, not PVC pipe. (Which we do not sell at this time.)
What applications can this flexible pvc pipe be used for?
See our application guidelines.
What chemicals can be run through PVC Pipe?
See our chemical ratings page. Note: there is an error in the ratings chart. It shows "chlorine water" as unacceptable. This is incorrect. Chlorinated water is fine. Liquid, 100% pure chlorine is not. Sorry for the confusion.
Is flex pvc pipe safe for fish tanks?
Yes, good for fresh, salt water or reef aquariums, fisheries, ponds, etc.
Can flex pvc pipe be used in the home or for drinking water?
No. The flex pvc pipe we sell is not rated for drinking (potable) water. Flex PVC is non-toxic, however it will pick up a "plastic" taste if water sits in the pipe for several hours. Also home plumbing systems are under constant pressure and so we do not recommend flex pvc for such applications. There should always be a flow through flex pvc.
Has Flex PVC ever been used for residential or commercial plumbing?
No. What are may be thinking of is Polybutylene pipe. Polybutylene pipe was a total failure and subject to many lawsuits. It has nothing in common with Flex PVC. It's a completely different product. (Now outlawed on all states. You can get more information here and here for Canadians. Also here for technical details)
How much water will flow through a pipe?
See our GPM/GPH Flow based on PVC Pipe Size page. These are just estimates. Individual systems can easily vary 50% based on the number of fittings, whether it's gravity feed or pump, size of the pump, etc.
How smooth is it on the inside?
It's very smooth on the inside. The ridges only come up about .010" to .020" depending on the pipe size. See the picture below. (2" pipe)
Why would I want to use flexible pvc pipe over rigid pipe?
If you are going over terrain, you only have to dig down along the terrain. If you were using rigid pipe you'd have to go to the lowest point along the path and dig down to the desired depth, and then all along the path you'd have to dig down to a depth that will make a straight line. Thus you could be digging a lot more than would be needed if you used flex pvc. Also if you have a lot of rock, sometimes digging it isn't possible so going over it makes the job easier. Your trenches don't have to be straight or at right angles either.
Any other reasons why I want to use flexible pvc pipe over rigid pipe?
You can make smooth gradual bends instead of using a fitting which restricts flow and causes turbulence resulting in better flow. By using flex for your turns, you buy fewer fittings. Every fitting is also a possible leak, so you have less chance of trouble when using flex pvc. You'll have one long continous run instead of many short pieces connected with a multitude of fittings.
Do I have to take any special precautions with flex pvc pipe?
Yes, if you bury it in ground with a lot of medium or large sharp rocks, you should backfill with sand or earth without rocks. The flex moves and if it rubs up against sharp rocks, over time, it could develope a leak.
Does Flex PVC need to be protected from the sun?
Yes, all PVC, whether rigid or flexible needs to be protected from sunlight. Either paint it, bury it, or cover it with something.
Do PVC fittings need to be protected from the sun?
Yes, all PVC, whether pipe or fittings needs to be protected from sunlight. Either paint it, bury it, or cover it with something.
I'm confused. In your rating chart it shows FlexPVC to be unacceptable for chlorine, but you recommend it for swimming pools.
We get this a lot. When they made the ratings chart, there is a mistake. It shows "dry gas," "wet gas" and "water" for Chlorine. That last one is the one that cases all the confusion. It should not read "water" but "liquid." So the ratings chart is indicating the use of FlexPVC to transfer the concentrated chemical chlorine in liquid form. If you are transferring pure chlorine in a liquid form, no, FlexPVC is not a good choice. However, in the swimming pool, the chlorine levels are minor when compared to the raw chemical and it's in fact negligible. FlexPVC is perfectly good for chlorinated water in any application. Sorry for the confusion.
Do I do anything differently when gluing flexible PVC Pipe?
One thing you do NOT do is twist the pipe once it's inserted into the fitting. Just push straight in, and hold. Be sure you get a good coating of glue 360 degrees around the pipe and inside the fitting socket. Larger sizes need to be held for longer than smaller sizes of pipe. Other than that, it's the same as rigid pvc pipe.
What type of glue do I use?
All our flexible pvc pipe is glued using traditional PVC pipe cement and primer. We recommend medium to heavy bodied glue, clear or blue, and any standard primer. We do not recommend the gray glue. You can also use our organic, non-toxic, glue.
What is the longest continous length roll of flex pvc do you offer?
100' rolls are the longest. The reason you see 500' quantities in the shopping cart is to give you a better price on larger quantities. If you order 500' you can specify if you want 10 50' rolls ore 5 100' rolls in the comments section of the order form.
Do I need special "flexible PVC Pipe fittings?"
No, any standard PVC fitting will work. There are a few people who sell special "flexible PVC Pipe fittings" however the only difference is that they are a little deeper in the socket. We do offer "extra deep" couplings in standard sizes. The problem is, there are only a few fittings made this way. We've been using standard PVC fittings for 10 years without a failure due to the fitting. If you cut your pipe straight, clean it with primer and then hold the pipe in the socket for 10-15 seconds you will be fine. One thing: you do NOT twist the pipe once it's inserted into the fitting. Just push straight in, and hold. Be sure you get a good coating of glue 360 degrees around the pipe and inside the fitting socket. You will be fine if you follow these simple rules.
Can I get a free sample?
Sorry, but we've discontinued the free samples. However, you can buy 4' sections, 8' sections, by the foot and often in the clearance section you'll find short pieces.
Can I get a catalogue?
No, sorry we do not offer any printed catalogs. We use the website to showcase some of the fittings and flex pvc pipe we carry. Any sch. 40 or sch. 80 plumbing fitting can be ordered. Many other parts are also available. Many spa, whirlpool bath, pond, irrigation, and swimming pool fittings are also available. If you don't see it in the shopping cart, put it in the comments section of the order form and we'll contact you with the price and shipping time. You can also email us or call if you prefer.
Do you have the Material Safety Data Sheet for your flexpvc pipe?
Sure: MSDS for Flex PVC Pipe
Do you offer 3 ways, 4 ways and 5 ways any larger than 2"
No, sorry no one makes these sizes. However the moment someone does, we'll carry it.
Do you offer any side outlet 45's?
No, sorry no one makes these fittings. However the moment someone does, we'll carry it.
Do you offer pipe clamps in any sizes larger than 1.5"
2" clamps are on their way.... probably sometime in 2008. Other sizes unlikely at this time.
What is your return policy?
See Return Policy
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