Before you dive into a project, it's important to understand what kind of PVC pipe you need. PVC pipes vary in diameter as well as flexibility and temperature resistance. After reading this guide, you'll be able to select a PVC pipe with confidence.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Understand the range of PVC pipes you can work with.

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    Temperature:[3]
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    Cost:
    • Thinner pipes generally cost less, while thicker pipes cost more.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

If your project requires curved surfaces, use pipes with small diameters.

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    3/4 inch (1.91 cm) plumbing grade PVC pipes are very bendable and ideal for any project that requires flexibility, like green houses, pet agility hoops or other curved frames. These pipes will spring back to their original shape if bent.
    • The actual exterior diameter of a 3/4 inch PVC pipe is not 3/4 inches, but rather 1.050 inches (2.67 cm).
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

If your project requires stiffness and strength, use large diameter pipes.

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    1 inch (2.54 cm) plumbing grade PVC pipes are slightly flexible but still fairly rigid. This pipe is ideal if your project requires minimal flexibility while demanding a strong framework.
    • The actual exterior diameter of a 1 inch PVC pipe is not 1 inch, but rather 1.32 inches (3.35 cm).
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    1-1/4 inch (3.18 cm) plumbing grade PVC pipes are ideal for very rigid, lightweight projects. They are commonly used to build a strong sturdy platforms, like shelves, tables and walls.
    • The actual exterior diameter of a 1-1/4 inch PVC pipe is not 1-1/4 inches, but rather 1.66 inches (4.22 cm).
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    1-1/2 inch (3.81 cm) plumbing grade PVC pipes are extremely rigid and heavy, and can be difficult to work with.[7]
    • The actual exterior diameter of a 1-1/2 inch PVC pipe is not 1-1/2 inches, but rather 1.90 inches (4.83 cm).
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    I am looking for the load bearing capability of 2-inch schedule-40 PVC. Specifically, can it be buried at a 24-inch depth and a non-load-bearing building post be placed on top of it with an 8-inch footer poured first on top of the pipe?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    I wouldn't use schedule 40 for your particular application. I would use schedule 80; it is much more rigid and is very tough. You can drive heavy equipment or commercial vehicles over schedule-80 PVC if it's buried sufficiently. Use schedule 80 and bury it deeper than 24' inches, if possible, and you shouldn't have any problems.
  • Question
    I want to use two 10' PVC pipes to slide a 41-pound canoe up to car racks. What is the smallest diameter PVC pipe that would be rigid and not break when the canoe is at the midpoint of the pipes?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It is highly unlikely that a PVC pipe will break under such a load; however, it will bend significantly. To avoid this, you can also check out metal fencing pipes that they use to put along the top of chain link. Find the diameter of PVC into which the metal pipe will fit, and use the metal pipe to add strength and rigidity to the PVC. The outer PVC will protect your canoe from scratches.
  • Question
    Can I still buy the old style yellow PVC pipe?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. You can purchase it online.
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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 241,138 times.
207 votes - 75%
Co-authors: 15
Updated: October 8, 2020
Views: 241,138
Categories: Piping
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