Page 19 - Green Builder Remodeling Field Report 2021

dvanced
CE LIST
S
PIPE & FITTINGS

PLUMBING VC-0208 P lumbing ystem

The Chlorine Conundrum

STEVE EASLEY’S reasons for choosing Editor’s Note:

CPVC over other types of plumbing have to Since publication of this article on our website, we’ve had some
do with the fact that municipal water now comments from readers critical of Easley’s endorsement of CPVC
sits longer in the pipes. materials, particularly over metals. Both plastics and metals, of course,
produce fairly high levels of CO2 pollution in their manufacture, so
neither can claim a climate neutral pedigree. Metal such as copper
When selecting plumbing products for his Scottsdale remodel, is generally more readily recyclable than PVC, but also exacts a large
Steve Easley felt strongly that he had make the right choice. Why ecological toll in the extraction and refining phases. Easley’s application
strongly? Because he had experienced a devastating plumbing fail- and commentary, however, focuses on a specific aspect of CPVC
ure at his previous home, and did not want that scenario to happen plumbing: its performance under new circumstances related to
again—ever. The issue, he explains, is that most municipal water residential housing, such as longer periods when chlorine in water sits
treatment includes chlorine. That’s nothing new, but because pipes dormant in pipes due to low-flow fixtures. New housing also tends to be
get longer exposure to chemical disinfectant, they may be failing built at a longer distance from treatment facilities, leading to the need
more quickly. for higher concentrations of corrosive chemicals such as chlorine to
“The key point is that the way we use water has changed,” Easley treat potable water.
explains. “Not only are cities larger, with a lot more piping, but also
because of low-flow faucets and fixtures in the home, water tends Here are three additional comments
to sit longer in pipes between uses.” from the author:
That’s troubling, he says, because unless the pipe is made of
resistant materials, chlorine eventually begins to eat away at the lin- 1. When it comes to health and safety, CPVC pipes, fittings and solvent
ing and joints in the plumbing. cements are fully vetted, tested and approved per NSF/ANSI 14/61
“It’s no accident that there have been almost two dozen class- under all water conditions to be safe for human consumption, and
action lawsuits related to premature plumbing failures in recent CPVC meets all state and local water quality regulations.
years,” Easley says. “Which is why, for the ReVISION House Scotts-
dale, we decided to go with CPVC piping. Because it’s manufactured 2. With respect to environmental impacts, it is important to consider
using chlorine, it’s impervious to chlorine exposure during use.” the comparative impacts of the available materials. Peer-reviewed
Easley chose the brand, he says, because the company has a long life cycle inventories show that CPVC has a relatively low life cycle
history and because the fittings are readily available, fit together environmental impact.
without special tools, and cause no restriction in water flow.
He adds that the plastics used in the construction of these 3. In a addition to the 60 year track record, another reason why the
pipes also resist most other household chemicals they’re likely to FlowGuard Gold CPVC used on this project is that it was the first and
encounter, further reducing the chance of leaching or pipe failure. only residential plumbing piping material to receive NGBS Green
Certified product recognition.

REMODELING FIELD REPORT GREEN BUILDER 19