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Question:
When I input my order the shipping charge was shown as $8.70, after I put my credit card information the shipping went up to $12.61. Now that is not a huge difference, but I wondered why the change. I know that you are shipping my order across most of the country, but that should have been figured in with the first figure.

Answer:

When people add things to their cart we can only give a best guess in the shipping because at the point the customer adds something to the cart, we don’t actually know where they are located. We are in Nevada so it defaults to shipping to NV. Once the customer enters their shipping info it’ll adjust base on their location.

So that is why you see it change.

I hope this explains it to your satisfaction.

Thanks so much for the question.

All rigid pvc pipe and fittings well sell made in the USA and the ones we import from China all have NSF61 rating (potable water is generally considered the highest standard.)

It’s 100% safe for food, water, human consumption, etc. to the best of our knowledge and established science and standards.

Our Flexible pvc pipe has an NSF51 rating. Generally NSF51 is considered safe for delivery and processing of liquids (wine, beer, milk, etc) during production, however the category our flexible pvc pipe has the rating for is swimming pools. It would pass an NSF51 certification for food if submitted but since 90% of the people using the product are using it for non-food applications it’s not worth the money ($250K and up) to get a separate certification. Furthermore the product would also comply with FDA recommendations. The FDA does not give certifications, it only lists approved products and generally as long as you aren’t using any banned products and stay in the “good list” then the product is considered “compatible” with FDA standards.

The flexible pvc pipe can not get an NSF61 rating because if water sits in the pipe overnight, it will pickup a plastic taste and in order to get an NSF61 rating, it can’t alter the taste (that’s one of the criteria.)

As for growing edible plants with pvc such as hydroponics, we know of thousands of customers who use it for just the purpose some of them organic certified, so we feel confident it would have no detrimental effects on plants or food.

• Rigid PVC Pipe & Flexible PVC Pipe
  • Products referred to as “pipe” conform to pipe standards as established by:
    • IAPMO
    • ASTM
    • NSF
    • Other such agency
  • Pipe size is “nominal” (means “in name only”) and is approx. equal to the inside diameter (ID) of the pipe.
  • The OD (outside diameter) is held to strict tolerances, the inside diameter is not.
  • Pipe wall thickness is set by the pipe’s size and classification and usually expressed as a “minimum wall thickness”, but it can vary.
  • Pipe can be rigid or flexible.
  • Pipe can be clear with a tint or solid colored, but the color is used to help identify the rating and classification of the pipe.
  • Pipe will, by law, have printing on it except for furniture grade pipe which does not have any printing on it.
• Tubing
  • Tubing does not conform to any standards and does not have any third party agency’s ratings.
  • Tubing is usually identified by it’s OD (outside diameter) and ID (inner diameter) which determines the wall thickness.
  • Tubing generally will not fit pipe fittings (there are exceptions).
  • Tubing is not an engineered product for a particular purpose like pipe is.
  • Tubing will have no printing on it and the color is clear like glass with no tint.

• Flexible PVC Pipe
  • Flexible pvc pipe is identified the same way as rigid pvc pipe.
  • Flexible pvc pipe is identified the same way as rigid pvc pipe.
  • Flexible pvc pipe is a flexible material engineered to solvent weld INTO pvc pipe fittings with pvc glue or cement and primer.
  • Flexible pvc pipe can be colored or clear with a colored spiral.
  • Flexible pvc pipe will be smooth on the inside and outside.
  • Flexible pvc pipe MAY have a rating or certification from third party agency such as NSF, IAPMO, etc, but not all do.
• Hose
  • Hose or flexible tubing is identified based up on both it’s ID and OD.
  • Hose or flexible tubing is terminates by going over the barbed end of an insert fitting and secured with a clamp.
  • Hose or flexible tubing can be smooth or corrugated on the inside or outside.
  • Hose or flexible tubing may have some rating or certification from a third party agency such as NSF, IAPMO or others but not all do.

When it comes to working on water lines whether you are working on the plumbing in your home or a water system outside. You want to make sure that the water flows in the correct direction. A great way to help control the flow is with PVC Valves that determines the direction or amount of fluid passes through a tubing. A reputable distributor can help you find the right valve for any project you are working on. Whether you need a positive seal or can accept some leakage, there are various valves to help you get the job done. Continue reading “Control the Flow of Your Water with Dependable Valves”

When working on a water or gas line you want to use a durable piping that will be able to withstand the stress and elements that it is exposed to. There is a range of piping materials available, such as aluminum, cement, brass, copper, and PVC pipe that you can select from. Of all the materials, polyvinyl chloride has become the most popular type of piping to use when installing or replacing a line. It is known for being a durable product that is cost-efficient and can be used for various purposes. PVC is most commonly used by plumbers to conduct the flow of water throughout a building. However, do-it-yourselfers often use it for various projects that they perform at home, such as creating bed frames, tables, and desks to use in their residence. Continue reading “When You Think Pipes Consider PVC Material”

Whether you are a professional plumber or someone who likes to do their own projects around the home, you want to make sure you use the correct parts while performing the job. Perhaps, you are installing a new waterline or repairing damaged piping, you need to know the various components available to help you successfully complete the project. When it comes to working with pipes, you may find that they are made out of metal, plastic, or flexible tubing. Tubing that bends is a great way to run a line since it is able to be manipulated to turn around corners or curve upwards if you need it to. However, not all piping can bend such as PVC or copper piping. In these circumstances, you have to rely on PVC fittings to create the angle you need or to connect two pipes together. Continue reading “Find the Right Fittings for Your Piping”

There is a variety of materials that people use when they are building, such as metal, concrete, and wood. However, PVC is quickly replacing many of these building materials for various reasons. From being versatile to cost-efficient, polyvinyl chloride has become one of the most widespread plastics that is used in the construction and building industry. People often use them as wall covering, window frames, and various other applications that make a great alternative from traditional materials. They have gained popularity because they are less expensive, do not weigh as much as other materials, and offer a variety of advantages when it comes to performance. From piping to PVC corners, consider using this style of material on your next project. Continue reading “Consider Using PVC for Your Next Build”

While most people think of PVC pipe as plumbing material, and it certainly is used in that capacity, there is an increasing demand for PVC pipe furniture. This is stylish, easy to make, and it allows for unlimited configurations thanks to all the different PVC pipe fittings to make any joint or angle possible.

The unique thing about PVC furniture is it is a great do-it-yourself project that requires nothing in the way of special tools. All you will need is a saw, some PVC glue, and a little bit of imagination. There are even free patterns online that identify just how to make different chairs, tables, benches and more elaborate items and provide you with the specific fittings you need to have.

Connecting Corners

For connecting multiple pieces of PVC pipe or to make specific joints and corners, some of the most practical options are the three to six way fittings. These allow three or more lengths of PVC pipe to be joined at a corner in a neat corner or central component depending on the design.

For example, the three way PVC pipe fittings will made the top edge of a table or the seat on a chair as they provide the option to bring the two top pipes together to form the right angle, with the third part of the 3-way connecting the leg to make the full corner with support.

Adding Details

While the various types of connectors for corners, or elbows which offer a variety of gradual corner options for arms or other types of bends and shape, and important pipe fittings in furniture making, there are also details to add as well.

Caps are important as they can act as either the top of a fixture or furniture item, as well as to protect the flooring and the PVC pipe making up the legs. These caps some in a variety of different options from flat to domed and from threaded to slip on types of designs.

For attaching the cloth to the frame, there are specialized fittings known as snap clamps. These are ideal for all types of uses, particularly if the fabric, covering or tarp needs to be removed for storage.

By choosing the right PVC pipe fittings for the job, you can make your own PVC furniture for your home, yard or just for fun. Be sure to ask for the hi gloss furniture grade pipe if you want something that is strong and great looking.

If you have some furniture you have make from PVC, or anything else of interest, send us a picture, we would be really interested in what you have.

With over 40 years in the business of PVC pipe and PVC fittings, we have heard a lot of different questions that tend to be asked by many of our customers. There is a significant amount of misunderstanding and misinformation online about different aspects of working with PVC pipe and fittings, and often simply providing the right information will allow the customers to know just what they want for their project.

To help clarify many of the issues with PVC pipe and fittings, let’s take a closer look at the most common questions and the answers that are helpful in getting the record straight.

What is Sch 40 and Sch 80 PVC?

Schedule 40 and schedule 80 PVC are the most common types of rigid PVC pipe. They can now be found in different colors, but sch 40 tends to be white, and sch 80 is typically gray. The schedule 80 pipe is thicker in the diameter of the wall of the pipe that sch 40 and is more commonly used when pressure is a factor in the pipe.

The outside diameter is the same for the pipe, the inside diameter will vary based on the thickness of the wall. When choosing PVC fittings to work with either flex PVC or standard PVC you will need to know the specific types and size of the pipe to choose the right fitting.

Can PVC pipe be used for chemicals?

Since there are so many different types of PVC pipe it is important to realize that this is not a simple yes or no answer. Instead, it will be important to check a PVC chemical resistance chart to determine if it is a good option or not.

While PVC fittings and pipe are generally safe for use, they can be damaged by some chemicals. Remember if the PVC pipe isn’t considered acceptable for specific types of chemicals, then the fittings shouldn’t be used either. Also, check for concentration limitations on the rating as well, although this doesn’t apply to all chemicals and mostly just the acids.

What is the best option for gluing PVC pipes and fittings?

There are a lot of different options out there in the plumbing section of any local hardware store for gluing PVC fittings to PVC pipe of any kind, both rigid and flexible.

The lowest cost, easiest and most dependable option is using traditional primer and PVC pipe cement, which is readily available in any hardware store and even department stores. The other option is to use Gorilla Glue, which is very popular when the pipe is used with aquariums or for irritation since it is organic and non-toxic.

Be sure to look around on the website, including the FAQ page, for more information on PVC pipe, flexible pipe and everything you need to know about our fittings.

As do-it-yourself home repair person, or even a professional installer, having a good understanding of the different types of PVC check valves on the market can help you in selecting the right part of the job.

There are many applications that use check valves, which can also go by a variety of different names including a non-return valve, a one-way valve, or a clack valve. As the names implies, the purpose of any check valve is to allow a liquid, or less commonly a gas, to flow through the system but only go in one direction.

How a Check Valve Works

There are several different types of check valves available, including air diaphragms, ball check valves, swing check valves and compression swing or diaphragm spring check valves. At FlexPVC, you will find both PVC valves as well as anti-corrosion stainless steel or Hastelloy options.

In essence all PVC check valves, or any check valves, operate using the same operating principles. Since they are simple valves that operate based on flow pressure they don’t require any calibration or specialized installation. This also makes them a low-cost option for any type of system where fluid or gas flow will only be needed in one direction.

All check valves have to be installed with the direction of flow in mind. As the liquid or gas moves through the system, the pressure forces the valve, or the ball, or the diaphragm to open, allowing the liquid to flow in the desired direction. Should the system fail past the check valve and the liquid or gas try to reverse direction the increasing pressure on the downside of the valve simply causes the valve, ball or diaphragm to reverse position, effectively sealing the valve and preventing backflow.

What to Consider

Depending on the use, and the size of the pipe in the system, there may be more than one option in PVC check valves for any given requirement. There are some valves that come in a variety of colors to match with the corresponding PVC pipe. This is important in areas where the system is visible and aesthetics are important.

There are also clear PVC check valves that can also be found in white or gray, but the clear provides the ability to see the valve and ensure that it is allowing the flow of liquid or gas through the system, which can be very important in identifying system failures or verifying system components are in top working order.