PVC Pipe Replacement

A popular choice for plumbing, sewer, and drain pipes is PVC (polyvinyl chloride). PVC pipes come in a range of lengths and widths. It is durable, lightweight, can come in almost any size, and isn’t corrosive like old metal pipes. When those need to be replaced, PVC is often the best choice. It lasts longer and is more economical than other options. 

PVC’s considerable market growth is due, in part, to its unrivaled durability. A survey (sponsored by the American Water Works Association Research Foundation) conducted in 1994 showed 162 utilities who provided feedback rated PVC pipe’s  life expectancy as a 4.1 on a scale of 1 – 5. No other piping material compared similarly.

Eventually, however, areas and sections of PVC piping can break, crack, or leak. The main reasons for failure include UV exposure, flow velocity, ground issues, and, most commonly, installation issues.  PVC will break down chemically with exposure to sunlight if it is not coated or sheathed. The right pipe size needs to correspond to the proper PSI (pounds per square inch).

PVC pipes often break down when used in soil. The soil surrounding pipes can shift. This can cause rocks or roots to contact pipes and damage them. If pipes are not buried deep enough, freezing and thawing cycles can also cause degradation. Installation errors include short insertion, inappropriate amounts of cement (too much or too little), and incorrect cutting and joining procedures.

Typically, drain and sewer PVC pipe replacement will involve replacing damaged sections of sewer and plumbing pipe. Hydronic repipes can require a significant capital expense, so planning ahead for these projects is critical. For apartment complexes, this means understanding the scope and magnitude of the problem and budgeting accurately. For condominiums, co-ops, and other shared ownership structures, it means conducting reserve studies, securing financial reserves, and reallocating other investments to complete the repipe before it becomes even more expensive.

SageWater has successfully performed repairs and complete PVC pipe replacement projects throughout the United States. We offer a turnkey solution that minimizes disruption to the residents’ lives. We return living quarters to their original condition with new drywall and paint.

Contact us today to discuss how to painlessly replace the pipes in your water supply system on your multifamily property.

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