Hi All,

Anyone know which kind of water pipe is better? ABS or PVC? Asked some contractors and they give different recommendations. Some say ABS is better because of the joint which uses some kind of solvent to connect 2 joints. Some say ABS not good because the pipes come in various sizes and it is easy to connect 2 different sizes incorrectly leaving too large gap in between. Some say PVC not good because the metal joint can disintegrate and break over the years.

Really confusing....

Thanks
Lim

i highly recomment you use PB (polybuthelene) piping. its produced locally and superior to ABS and PVC. comes with foolproof clamping system - your contractor will love it and it's basically worry free once installed.

You mean those running around in the garden and in black color?

i think black color is HDPE. i am using Buteline PB:

http://www.buteline.com/my/buteline-plumbing-system.asp

Hi PJusa,

How much is the PB pipe compared to ABS/PVC? 2x more expensive?

Is it too large to be concealed in the wall?

Regards,
Lim

if choose between only ABS & PVC, then PVC is the better bet.

Few years back, Syabas only approve ABS for internal plumbing but now PVC made a come back.
ABS piping main problem r from the fitting esp. "T" & elbow. cracks, broke is common

generally, if you are doing outdoor piping (pipe exposed to sunlight) pvc is not suitable as it is prone to damage by UV. indoor is ok.

all purpose pipe, HDPE or ABS would be a good choice.

do note that if your pipe system is pressurized (have a pump); syabas would only approve of pipe made out of polysteel, copper, or stainless steel pipe.

PB is rated for up to 10bar pressure. size wise its the same as normal PVC, also can get the smaller diameter for hot water!
the pipe is pretty much the same price as ABS but the joints are a bit more costly. we replaced the whole house and outdoort hot and cold with PB and it's pretty great. it wont rust like metal pipe and it doesnt make any sounds like copper.

Hi all,

I am replacing 15 years old main pipe in my apartment. The pipe linked from ground floor to 5th floor (roof top tank) about 50 to 60 feets. Received a quote of RM700 for the complete job (remove old pipe + installing new pipe with class 7 PVC), price ok?

Btw, how about ABS & Poly pipe? Better choice? Kindly advise, thanks.

i think pvc is still the best (cheap and good) that is why most country are using pvc for piping. especially advance country and good regulation and enforcements. eg US, Europe, Japan , almost 70% are using pvc and 30 are hdpe or pp. others is very very small..

even in earth quake prone area eg taiwan, japan still prefer to use pvc.
they call it hi impact pvc pipes where they added higher dosage of impact modifier into pvc. (called M-PVC or PVC-M)
the problem in some poor countries eg philllippines, africa etc the pipes producers always curi ayam where they add too much fillers eg calcium carbonate to reduce cost. filler is reinforcing agent if the dosage is low eg 5% but some added more than 50% vs pvc resin.
i think msia is still ok, where we are still following british standard and sirim. US is PPI, NSF; Japan is JIS and many more for different countries.
also pvc has better UV resistant than others type of pipes. PE is the worst. that is why u see some PE chair, container craked when put outside. but u never see pvc pipes cracked after rain and shine after so many years..
pvc also has better flame retardant cos of chlorine. he can try to burn the pvc yourself vs hdpe,pp and others.
pvc is easier to install and versatile eg pvc glue for joints , heat to expand for joints etc. pvc is high temp resistant if use C-PVC (chlorinated pvc)
pvc can be plasticized, non of the plastic can be plastizied except pvc.
pvc use less energy to convert to end products eg pipes vs other plastics. 5x vs PE (more environmental frenly)
pvc is cheapest material among all other plastics.