Other Compatibility Concerns
Acetone in Primers, Cleaners and Solvent Cements
- Primers, cleaners, and solvent cements containing appreciable amounts of acetone may cause rapid environmental stress cracking of CPVC metal insert parts during installation at freezing temperatures. Contact your primer/cleaner/solvent cement manufacturer for more information or recommendation of alternatives.
- Direct contact with flexible wire and cable that utilize insulation containing plasticizers is not recommended. Section 334.30 of the National Electric Code (2002 Edition) requires wire and cable to be secured by staples, cable ties, straps, or hangers. Air ducts, pipes and ceiling grid are not acceptable supports for wire and cable. Also see section titled "Rubber & Flexible Materials containing plasticizers."
- When performing repairs to leaks in existing systems, care should be taken to isolate CPVC pipe from direct contact with heavy concentrations of fungicide products which may be applied during cleanup of water damage. Vinyl piping materials such as PVC or CPVC may be damaged by fungicides when fungicides are sprayed on surrounding drywall and wood framing to prevent the growth of mold and mildew in the affected area. Common sense precautions will prevent problems with repairs to existing systems. When repairs are made to an existing system, and the possibility exists that fungicides will be applied to treat damp drywall and wood framing surrounding the repair site, exposed piping should be sleeved with a compatible plastic sleeving or pipe insulation material to prevent direct contact of the fungicide with the plumbing system.
- When CPVC pipe is installed in kitchen areas the pipe must be protected from contact with grease or cooking oils. Consideration must be given to not only protecting the pipe from direct contact with grease or oil but also contact that may occur from airborne grease or oil.
- If it is necessary to use leak detectors on CPVC systems, only leak detectors that are included in the FGG/BM/CZ™ System Compatible Program should be used. While common ordinary soaps are not detrimental to CPVC, most modern dishwashing liquids contain synthetic detergents, some of which may cause environmental stress cracking of fittings. For a listing of ancillary products that are compatible to Lubrizol CPVC, refer to FGG/BM/CZ™ System Compatible Program.
- CPVC may be damaged by torches and/or chemicals used to install metal piping. When metal piping is installed in proximity to CPVC piping systems, care should be taken to protect the CPVC from burning with torches or contact with molten solder and solder flux, as well as incompatible thread sealants, leak detectors, lubricants, or other chemical products which may be used on metal piping.
- Water-based acrylic latex paint is the preferred and recommended paint to use on Lubrizol CPVC pipe and fittings. Oil or solvent-based paints may be chemically incompatible.
Certain types of oil or solvent-based paints may, however, be used provided that it is a light coating that dries quickly. These paints should not be allowed to puddle or pool on the surface of the pipe and/or fitting. Application of solvent-based paints must be individually reviewed as there are certain types of paints and stains that contain drying oils and should not be used at all on CPVC.
- We are currently investigating chemical compatibility of polyurethane foams with our CPVC brands. This process will take several months to investigate. Thus, at this time, we cannot say whether such products are compatible with CPVC. While we are not aware of a CPVC failure that was the result of chemical incompatibility with properly applied polyurethane foams, when polyurethane foams are not properly applied there is the potential for excess heat that can lead to ballooning of the pipe and a subsequent failure.
Residual Oils (Including Cutting Oils) with Steel Pipe
- Transitions from steel pipe to CPVC pipe can be made through a variety of methods such as threaded connections, flanges, and grooved adapters. Occasionally the steel pipe may contain residual oils that were used to aid in the cutting process. Some of the oils used for this purpose may be incompatible with CPVC. These cutting oils should be removed from the steel pipe prior to connecting to CPVC pipe. If a cutting oil is used consult with the manufacturer of the cutting oil for a specific recommendation as to compatibility with CPVC. Those cutting oils which are listed in the FGG/BM/CZ™ System Compatible program have been tested and confirmed to be compatible with FlowGuard Gold®, BlazeMaster®, and Corzan® CPVC.
Residual Oils with HVAC Applications
- Some heat exchangers or condenser coils may contain residual oils from the manufacturing process which can cause cracking of CPVC. Caution should be exercised when installing CPVC in combination hot water/air heating units or as condensate drain lines for air conditioning systems. Confirm the compatibility of CPVC with the residual oils prior to installation. The interior of heat exchangers or the exterior of condenser coils may be thoroughly flushed with mild ionic detergent solution to remove incompatible oils prior to piping installation. A rinse with clean water to completely clean the system is advisable as a final flushing.
Rubber & Flexible Materials Containing Plasticizers
- CPVC is not compatible with some rubber and flexible plastic materials containing certain types of plasticizers. Incompatible plasticizers include, but are not limited to, phthalates, adipates, trimellitates, dibenzoates, etc. Compatibility should be confirmed before selecting rubber or flexible vinyl materials for direct contact with CPVC. Examples of materials which may contain incompatible plasticizers include, but are not limited to, caulks, rubbery hanger padding, vinyl dip coating on metal parts, rubber gaskets, electrical wire jacketing, electrical tape, flexible hoses or tubes, etc. Further, plasticizers may leach from rubber or flexible vinyl materials, such as hoses or tank linings, into the process fluid which contacts them. Plasticizer contamination in the process fluid may also cause environmental stress cracking of CPVC used elsewhere in the system. This can include both CPVC process piping, through which the contaminated fluid may flow, or CPVC ducting drawing fumes from contaminated fluid. Also see section titled "Flexible Wiring & Cable."
- In situations where sleeving is required, the pipe should be protected with a compatible sleeving material extending at least 12" above and below the soil. The top of the sleeving should be securely taped to the pipe with a compatible tape product. Backfill over underground piping prior to termiticide spraying. Also see section titled "Termiticides & Insecticide."
- Certain types of spray-on coatings which form a peelable film to protect fixtures during construction may be incompatible with CPVC. Care should be used to protect exposed piping from overspray when this type of protective coating is applied.
- Teflon® tape is recommended as a preferred thread sealant.
- When performing installations underslab or where the presence of insecticides or termiticides are likely, care should be taken to isolate CPVC pipe from direct contact with large quantities of these chemicals. Vinyl piping materials such as PVC or CPVC may be damaged when termiticides or insecticides are injected into the annular space between the pipe wall and sleeving material trapping the termiticide against the pipe wall. Termiticide applications per label instructions in an open-air environment, such as slab pretreat applications, should not pose a problem. However, puddling of termiticides on or near CPVC pipe may cause failures. In areas where puddling is more likely, such as areas near tub boxes and retreat applications, extra care should be taken to avoid puddling of termiticides. Exercising caution and common sense should prevent installation problems. Before using an insecticide or termiticide, be sure to consult the manufacturer’s installation guide for proper application instructions. For a listing of insecticides or termiticides that are included in the FGG/BM/CZ™ System Compatible Program, refer to FGG/BM/CZ™ System Compatible Program.
Additional precautions need to be taken when retreat applications are required. Termiticide retreatment is usually required when the concrete slab has been broken to relocate a pipe. The following recommendations should followed in retreat applications: - Remove all the plastic barrier material that was installed prior to the initial concrete pour from the area to be retreated. Do not reinstall the plastic barrier material.
- After the pipe has been relocated, the soil should be pretreated before it is placed in hole around the pipe. Do not apply termiticide directly to the retreat area. Also see section titled "Sleeving Material."
