There’s a foam or cellular interior to the pipe with two thin layers of sold ABS on the outside. It costs less and weighs less than solid pipe. Thus it’s popular at home stores that compete on price.

Is foam core the same as cellular core?

PVC Schedule 40 Foam Core Pipe is for DWV purposes only. It is for Non-Pressure systems where temperatures will not exceed 140° F. It is coextruded and has a cellular core.

What is cellular core ABS pipe?





ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) pipe is considered the standard for many types of drain, waste and vent (DWV) plumbing systems. With over 65 million feet in service, NAPCO, is a leading provider of ABS DWV Cellular Core pipe for use in combustible construction such as single-family dwellings.

What is the difference between cell core and foam core ABS pipe?

You may see PVC or ABS pipe being sold as “cellular core” or “foam core.” This type of pipe is not solid. It is made with an inner PVC/ABS skin and an outer PVC/ABS skin with a foam/cellular core in between. This type of PVC/ABS is cheaper and lighter than solid core pipes but is also less stiff and not as strong.

What is foam core pipe?

PVC foam core pipe is manufactured in three layers. The top and bottom layer are solid PVC compound, which is identical to the material in solid PVC pipes. Rather than forming a single pipe, a skin is made for the exterior and interior surfaces of the pipe. PVC foam core pipe is not porous, as a result of these skins.

What is cellular core?

There are different types of piping used, and one style commonly used is called ‘Cellular-Core” PVC. This type of piping differs from solid PVC or ABS as it has a core built into the walls of the pipe. This makes the piping cheaper and lighter, but slightly less rigid than it’s solid counterpart.

What is stronger PVC or ABS?





PVC pipe is more flexible than ABS, while ABS is a bit stronger and can resist a higher shock or impact. Additionally, PVC has an advantage in that it’s better at muffling the sound of water as it flows through the pipework.

Which is cheaper ABS or PVC pipe?

Per pound, ABS is slightly more expensive than PVC. However, the extra step of applying PVC’s infamous purple primer will only compound labour costs. Additionally, PVC is considerably tougher on tools, and cutting it creates more burrs that need to smoothed out before priming, adding even more time to the process.

Is ABS pipe cheaper than PVC?

The primer is messy and must fully dry before the next step can be taken, so it can add extra labor to a project. For this reason, ABS can sometimes be the most cost-effective choice even when the pipes themselves are more expensive than PVC.

What is ABS DWV pipe used for?

ABS is used in drain-waste-vent pipe systems and sewer systems. It is also used as electrical insulation. PVC is also used to produce pipes such as for drain-waste-vent systems and for insulation on electrical cables.

What is ABS plastic pipe?



ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) is a thermoplastic resin. This plastic material is used to make ABS pipe, which has been used since the 1960s to make drainpipes due to its shock resistance and strength.

Can you use cellular core PVC for venting?

DO NOT use Cellular Core PVC/CPVC or Radel for venting exhaust. Use of these materials for exhaust may result in property damage, personal injury, or death.

Can you use cellular core PVC underground?

Per the standard, cellular core pipe is not permitted to be used in this application due to its reduced pipe stiffness. Maintenance and drain cleaning to remove blockages are required to keep DWV systems performing optimally.

Can you bury foam core pipe?



Foam core is meant to be buried. It’s not going to collapse but it isn’t pressure rated. What it won’t do is crack as easily when buried. It’s made for drain waste and vent situations in place of ABS.

What is the difference between cellular and solid core PVC?

The inside and outside walls are solid PVC, while the inner core is cellular (or foamed) PVC, a material that includes tiny bubbles of entrained air. Cellular-core PVC pipe is available in various wall thicknesses, including Schedule 40 pipe for DWV and thin-wall sewer-grade pipe.

What type of pipe is used for underground drainage?

Polyvinyl Chloride pipes (PVC) are the best choice for underground drainage due to their durable nature. PVC pipes are malleable and come in almost any size. These pipes can withstand lots of environmental and water pressure and last for very long periods.

Which drainage pipe is the best?

Plastic pipes are the preferred drainage pipe due to its versatility and availability. It is lightweight and easy to use for installation. There are several plastic drainage pipes to serve different purposes and they come in various diameter sizes to accommodate different amounts of water.

What are 3 types of drain pipes?



What Types of Drain Pipes Are Commonly Used in Homes?

  • Corrugated Drain Pipes. In most cases, corrugated pipes are used for outdoor drains rather than indoor ones. …
  • PVC Drainage Lines. …
  • Cast Iron Pipes. …
  • Copper Pipes. …
  • Galvanized Pipes. …
  • Concrete or Clay Drainage Pipes.

Which pipe is best for sewer line?

PVC Pipes. PVC is the material of choice for drainage experts, builders and homeowners because of its cost and ease of use. It’s very lightweight and malleable, making it the easiest to install, but it also has a good strength that makes it very durable.

How long do ABS pipes last?

50- to 80-year



ABS, black plastic, is the more common inside the home. The NACHI chart gives them a 50- to 80-year lifespan. Both materials will become brittle with age.

What is the proper pitch for a sewer line?

¼ inch per foot

You probably know that drains need to flow downhill into your sewer. But do you know the proper slope? The ideal slope of any drain line is ¼ inch per foot of pipe. In other words, for every foot the pipe travels horizontally, it should be dropping ¼ inch vertically.