PVC or polyvinyl chloride pipes and fittings are very commonly used in households. Although this is different from CPVC, Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride is used for more heavy-duty applications, including high temperature and pressure.
Both of them are types of synthetic polymer and have lots of similarities and dissimilarities in characteristics and applications. However, joining two or more pipes requires adhesive, and both types of pipes have dedicated glue.
If you want to join CPVC fittings, you would require CPVC glue, but going to a hardware store may feel burdened, so you might consider compensating with PVC glue.
However, if you want to use PVC glue on CPVC, you may want to learn if they are compatible with each other. Let’s explore this here.
Can you use PVC glue on CPVC?
Not in all cases. PVC glue can be used on CPVC for specific purposes. CPVC can withstand higher temperatures than PVC. If PVC glue is applied, it may not stand higher temperatures and get damaged. To join CPVC- using fusion, chemical welding or melting is the more appropriate and durable approach.
PVC glue is a great way to combine two or more PVC pipes. However, this is not the same case for CPVC pipes. CPVC pipe is the one with the additional layer of chlorine and has a higher tolerance for temperature and pressure.
CPVC pipes and PVC pipes are used in different circumstances for different applications. CPVC pipe can usually withstand 200° F, compared to PVC pipe, which can only resist up to 140° F.
It is not advised to use other adhesives. Using different glue will reduce the longevity of a joint. Due to an incomplete joint, the whole system can face losses.
However, you can use PVC in some cases. If the CPVC pipe is not used for high temperature or pressure objects, PVC glue can be used.
Here are a few types of PVC glue that you can or cannot use on CPVC is explained.
Regular pvc glue:
Regular PVC glue can be used on CPVC pipes and fittings by first adding a CPVC primer layer.
Gray pvc glue:
This type of PVC glue is used for DWV, pressure pipe, potable water and electrical applications. However, using on CPVC pipe is not ideal for this type of glue.
Oatey pvc glue:
This glue can be used for CPVC welding. Although applying primer beforehand can result in great longevity.
Blue pvc glue:
This type of glue is very fast drying and can be used for heavy-duty work. Pipes up to 6 inches in diameter can be glued together with this glue.
Rain or shine pvc glue:
Heavily used for pool and spa, irrigation, potable water, pressure pipe, conduit and DWV applications. This glue can withstand 40° F to 110° F temperature. You can use it with all PVC and CPVC pipes and fittings.
Does CPVC and PVC use the same glue?
Generally, PVC and CPVC pipes are used in different cases. CPVC pipes go through an extra coating of chlorination than PVC; as a result, it can withstand higher temperatures and higher pressure. On average, CPVC pipes can tolerate 60° F more than what PVC pipes can do.
According to their capacity, both of the pipes have different glue for joints. Unless you are using PVC/CPVC multipurpose glue, there are some differences.
However, in general use, where high pressure or temperature is not a big concern, you can easily replace CPVC glue with PVC glue.
So, what happens if PVC glue is used with CPVC pipes- they cannot last in most of the cases. Inappropriate glue can lead to leaks and breakage in the joints. As PVC glue is not made to withstand higher temperatures and pressures, it will collapse in ultimate conditions.
What happens if you use PVC glue on CPVC?
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, and CPVC stands for Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. Both of them are two types of synthetic polymer. They are used to make pipes and fittings and are commonly used in households and manufacturers.
CPVC is high in chlorine and can withstand high temperature and pressure. Thus these pipes are only used for heavy-duty works. Joining them requires CPVC glue, which is more durable and exclusively made for combining CPVC pipes.
Generally, PVC and CPVC pipes are used in different cases. Although you can use CPVC glue for both CPVC and PVC pipes without any worries, you cannot apply PVC glue on CPVC pipes for all purposes.
Here is what happens if you use PVC glue on CPVC
In light use:
The joints will be durable if you don’t use CPVC pipes for high temperatures or high pressure. And they can sustain for as long as two years.
In heavy uses:
Heavy uses of CPVC fittings joined with PVC glue will bring a nightmare to the whole system. You will experience leaks and breakage, turning your place into a total mess.
Using Primer:
If you apply primer on CPVC pipe beforehand, adding adhesive will give more extended durability to the system. If you use this system for non-heavy use or for transporting less than 140° F or low pressure, it will last three years.
You should always use the right adhesive with the right material for longer durability.
How long will PVC glue hold on CPVC?
PVC glue is very commonly found in general stores. Very strong in nature, this type of glue is very easy to use and durable if used with PVC pipes. But as CPVC pipes are different from PVC pipes, the glue cannot work as well if applied on CPVC as it would on PVC.
CPVC pipes have a higher tolerance for temperature and pressure than PVC pipes. So, it is evident that a PVC glue applied on CPVC pipes cannot withstand such conditions and may lead to breaks and leakages over time.
But when a joint made with PVC glue does not face higher pressure and temperature, it can last quite long.
On average, PVC glue will hold on CPVC joints for two years. But if you apply CPVC primer before applying PVC glue, the joint will last up to three years.
What’s the difference between PVC and CPVC glue?
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, and CPVC stands for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. As the name suggests, CPVC pipes contain an extra layer of chlorination that allows them to withstand more temperature and pressure.
While CPVC glue has a higher capacity to join CPVC pipes, it has no issue so far to use with PVC pipes. On the contrary, PVC glue has limited use and can only be used with PVC pipes and using it on CPVC pipes can lead to leaks and breakages.
PVC can tolerate neither high temperature nor high pressure. Compared to CPVC glue, while it has the capacity to withstand 200° F, PVC pipes can only use below 140° F.
PVC glue can be used with CPVC pipes if no high temperature or pressure has to be faced in the joints. PVC glues are cheaper and easier to find.
How to use PVC glue on CPVC?
Although PVC and CPVC look almost similar, they have differences. CPVC pipes are capable of resisting hotter liquids, and they can also resist higher pressure than PVC.
As a result, joining CPVC pipes requires different types of glue. However, you can find multipurpose glue at the hardware store, and they can be a good choice. But applying PVC only glue can lead to leaks and breakage.
Despite this, you can use PVC glue on CPVC pipes to some extent. And even with the proper instruction, the joint can be better, stronger, and more durable.
Prepare the pipe:
At first, you can cut the CPVC pipe in the desired size with a saw. Then the inside edges of the pipe can be sanded with sandpaper. In this way a more snug fit will be ensured and the clogging inside the pipe will be reduced.
Apply CPVC primer:
For this step you can buy CPVC primer, a product developed so that the glue can set better between the joint and the pipes. You should swipe both outside and inside of the CPVC pipes with CPVC primer. It will take about 10 to 15 seconds for the CPVC primer to get dry.
Apply PVC glue:
An even layer of PVC glue needs to be applied over the CPVC primer on both the pipe and the inside of the joint. Quickly hold the pipes together for about 15 to 20 seconds so that the glue can set.
Final Thoughts
It is not wise to use PVC glue to join two or more CPVC materials. it can not withstand higher heat. Moreover, substituting an adhesive for different materials is always a wrong choice. PVC glue should not be used for CPVC, as it can cause severe damage and property loss.