Can you mix black pipe with PVC?

[JimGolden]

Howdy all!

I have a problem with my drain pipe. The one pipe broke. It's the black ABS type. I went to the hardware store and I can replicate the busted section (two 90's, a 45, and a straight) but not in black pipe. they only have white PVC or creme colored CPVC.

Can I miss the two together? Is the white/creme stuff too brittle to use in a travel trailer? What advantage does the black abs plastic piipe have over the pvc?

And what of the glue? Does it take a different glue?

Help!!!!!


Thanks!

[empresley]

I am not a plumber but my opinion is...
The black pipe is designed for drains and venting not for pressurized pipes.
The PVC and CPVC are for pressure lines, i.e. hot & cold water supply.
The creme CPVC is designed for hot water but can be used for both.
If the fittings work go for it. The non-black pipe is just over-kill. They are stronger than the black due to wall thickness and probably other properties.
Glue? Your supplier should have a general purpose cement for both and it will work with the black as well.

Now we can stand by to see if I need correcting.

em.

[markdoane]

Jim,

I would try a different hardware store. I don't know about your locale, but up here some hardware store carry a very complete line of ABS fittings, and the store down the street might only have three fittings.

Two reasons I would use ABS:

1. Rated for use down to -40 degrees

2. If it's visible from the outside, having white and black mixed might cause "questions" at some campgrounds. Like, it's a do-it-yourself repair, and is it adequate? Or will it break and leak stuff.

[SilvrSausage]

Nope, don't mix them.
ABS and PVC are different plastics, with different chemistry and different cement. Go to a big city hardware place and get the right pipe.

Plastics are not "glued;" the process is called solvent welding, and you need the right kind for the type of plastic.
-SilvrSausage

[TomW]

Originally Posted by SilvrSausage

... ABS and PVC are different plastics, with different chemistry and different cement. ...

Modern day chemistry has yielded a cement, sold in home improvement stores, that will solvent-weld any of the commonly available plastic pipes (PVC, ABS, etc.).

This cement was used to weld PVC unions to the ABS pipes that were cut in order to remove my black tank for repair. After three frigid Alabama winters & 9000 miles, the plumbing is still working fine.

If the color difference is an issue, Krylon spray paint will stick to PVC.

Tom

[clancy_boy]

I agree, modern cement that is labeled as UNIVERSAL cement will do the trick. There are pipe specific types, read the labels. If concerned, pick up a no hub connector (rubber tube and hose clamps) as a precaution an have it in your trailer. I have one in the Caravel where all the pipe diameters are the same in case of emergency - cheap insurance.

As statedaove - ABS black pipe is a common item - I just left the HD down the road and there it was in quantity and selection.

[JimGolden]

Thanks for the replies guys. I called a plumber I know and he said he had some black pipe and fittings at his place. I'm to call him in about 45 minutes and he'll tell me what he's got.

I called my local Home Depot and they had nothing, Lowes said they had fittings but no pipe, and my local old time hardware store that's got everything did not have ABS pipe.

I'll keep trying for the black stuff.

I thought maybe ABS was tougher or less brittle than PVC. The guy at Ace hardware told me nobody uses black pipe anymore and you can hook them together. But I wasn't sure if he was correct or not.

Anyway, thanks again. I'll keep pursuing the ABS before I resort to PVC and Krylon

See ya on the road!

[clancy_boy]

Try this link - it was posted in another but they have the fittings.

Waste Water RV Plumbing - Holding Tanks & Accessories

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by JimGolden

I thought maybe ABS was tougher or less brittle than PVC. The guy at Ace hardware told me nobody uses black pipe anymore and you can hook them together. But I wasn't sure if he was correct or not.

Anyway, thanks again. I'll keep pursuing the ABS before I resort to PVC and Krylon

See ya on the road!

Now that you've already found you answer,
I use black and regular white PVC interchangeably, depending on what I have in my hands when something breaks. Never had a leak from doing this.

[JimGolden]

Thanks for the link. Looks like they've got it all.

I went to a local trailer place who gets his shipments in from Baltimore. Just saw him a half hour ago. Says he can get it all in by Friday, so I left it in his hands. If he lets me down though, I'll give folandsales a call.

Thanks!

[nerin]

Black sewer pipe is not PVC but ABS. It uses different glue and is not rated for much pressure. If you are not sure, use schedule 40 or schedule 80 PVC. Then no worries.

[greywolf]

I am not sure if there is such a thing as an "all purpose glue", myself, I use teh product that was specifically desighned for that use. The black ABS is still in use but yu won't find it at Ace or the typicall big box home improvement store since homes today use copper and PVC. ABS was use in travel trailers and mobile home. You have to go to a mobile home store or specialty plumbing/hardware store to get it. That's good to know if you own especially an older mobile home as well.

[mrmossyone]

What about the size? The black pipe in my camper is a larger diameter than I can get in the PVC at Home Depot. I have a leak under my sink in the P-trap, it's at the first connection. I tried to put some teflon tape around it but it's in a really tight spot and couldn't get it wrapped good. I may see if I can't get it cleaned of old solvent/cement and do it over. It's not a weld but a threaded connection. Any advice? Thanks.

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by nerin

Black sewer pipe is not PVC but ABS. It uses different glue and is not rated for much pressure. If you are not sure, use schedule 40 or schedule 80 PVC. Then no worries.

The black is DWV. The glue container should state the types of plastic it can be used for. DWV is not pressure rated. PVC is pressure rated, look on the side it is marked in red, higher than you may think. I have used PVC for shop air in my home workshop.

ABS(Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene) DWV(drain waste and vent)

Mark, the comment about campgrounds having questions about a repair made me laugh. Some of the worse abuse of building and safety codes I have seen are at campgrounds. I had a vision of the campground host going over my trailer and slapping a sticker on the window. It seems most campgrounds only want to inspect my wallet.

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by mrmossyone

What about the size? The black pipe in my camper is a larger diameter than I can get in the PVC at Home Depot. I have a leak under my sink in the P-trap, it's at the first connection. I tried to put some teflon tape around it but it's in a really tight spot and couldn't get it wrapped good. I may see if I can't get it cleaned of old solvent/cement and do it over. It's not a weld but a threaded connection. Any advice? Thanks.

Can, you replace it? Have you replaced the slip joint washer? What do you mean by teflon tape around it? Do you mean around it or on the threads? First connection to the sink or to the waste pipe? What solvent/cement, is it on the connecting pipe making it rough? So many questions we need pictures. BTW you can have a P-Trap slip connection to tight which forces it out of line or round. Have no fear if you don't have it fixed by the Can Opener you will have enough advice and help to really screw it up.

[Phil Gobie]

You can also use "fernco" or nohub couplings where you have space. These will be shock absorbers as well as they are rubber and will dampen vibrations. ABS is not approved for use in some areas (for home use) PVC is available in several makeups here are some. Schedule 40, DWV which the fittings are for drainage and you can use schedule 40 pipe or Foam core pipe. There is also schedule 120 or thin-wall pipe. Schedule 80 heavy wall pipe. And then there is CPVC that is for water distribution and can be used for hot and cold it has water pipe size that corresponds with copper. All of the pipe and ftg.s are marked on the outside.

[overlander63]

For our sink, I used a pvc p trap, and one of the slipover clamp fittings to solve the problem. I have also used a metal p trap, with similar fittings, to go to the black abs, again with no problems. If you don't like the big box stores, Ace Hardware usually carries most all this stuff, they are more helpful than the big box stores, and the few cents more I pay for the "stuff" I need goes into a local merchant's pocket, instead of a conglomerate's bottom line.

[mrmossyone]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

Can, you replace it? Have you replaced the slip joint washer? What do you mean by teflon tape around it? Do you mean around it or on the threads? First connection to the sink or to the waste pipe? What solvent/cement, is it on the connecting pipe making it rough? So many questions we need pictures. BTW you can have a P-Trap slip connection to tight which forces it out of line or round. Have no fear if you don't have it fixed by the Can Opener you will have enough advice and help to really screw it up.

I put the teflon on the threads, best I could anyway. It's on the first p-trap connection not the connection at the sink. I'll try to take a pic. Man, I have to get off of this puter and get to work. Later.

[solitairenc]

They make just about any type of connector now to put together any two kinds of pipe. It'll take some shopping and don't go to the big box places, they have what they want you to buy and not what you need. The small fexiable connectors are for emergancies and not a permanant fix. The glues are also pipe specific so read the label carefully. The leak around the threads is usually a sign of either overtightened once or not threaded right the first time. It may be simplier to buy another threaded collar than the tape that may leak later. Hope this helps.

[Dingo Girl]

Our local plumbing supply shop doesn't even sell the black pipe or fittings. They told me it is not to code so they won't sell it.
I am going with pvc. I really don't have a choice & don't want to put the old stuff back in.
None of it will be outside the trailer all inside & no UV light will get to it.
I'm doing mine today, bought everything yesterday.