Can I Use PVC Pipes for My Hot Tub?

PVC and CPVC

• PVC and CPVC are both light, durable and tough. CPVC pipes made of chlorinated PVC resin are used for both hot and cold water in indoor plumbing. You can safely drink water carried through CPVC pipes. They have smooth interiors, enabling them to carry liquids for long distances without pitting or losing pressure. Installing CPVC is in most ways the same as working with PVC except that different glues are required for each type of pipe. Use a fine-tooth saw to cut CPVC and Teflon tape to seal the joints.

Size and Fittings

• CPVC pipes come in the same sizes, thicknesses and weights as do PVC pipes. You should easily be able to find CPVC pipes that are correct for standard hot tub fittings and a full range of fittings at a plumbing supply center.

CPVC and Heat

• Thermal conductivity measures the ability of a material to conduct heat. Pipes with high thermal conductivity lose heat faster than those with low thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity of copper pipe is 2,500 greater than that of CPVC pipes, meaning CPVC pipes will keep water hot longer, saving you on energy bills. With a temperature rise of 100 F, CPVC pipes will expand about 4 inches per 100 feet, but the stress on elastic CPVC pipes in those conditions is less than that of inelastic copper or iron pipes.

Longevity and Cost

• CPVC pipes have been in use since 1959 without failing because of corrosion, scale buildup or other environmental factors. At 2011 prices, CPVC pipes are 20 to 30 percent cheaper to buy than copper pipes suitable for hot tubs and require less labor to install.