Standard PVC is for cold water and drainage only — it is rated to about 60°C and loses most of its pressure rating near that point. CPVC is chlorinated for heat and handles roughly 93°C, so it is the correct choice for residential hot-water lines. Never run hot water through standard PVC.
| Property | PVC | CPVC |
|---|---|---|
| Max operating temp | ~60 °C (140 °F) | ~93 °C (200 °F) |
| Suitable for hot water | no | yes |
| Pressure at high temp | drops sharply near 60 °C | retains more rating |
| Typical use | cold supply + drainage | hot + cold supply |
| Joint method | solvent cement | solvent cement (CPVC-specific) |
Typical industry values for planning — confirm exact figures against the manufacturer datasheet and local code before ordering.
Cold-water supply, drain-waste-vent and irrigation where temperatures stay well below 60 °C.
Hot-water distribution and any line that may see sustained heat; many codes require CPVC (or PPR/PEX) rather than PVC for hot water.
Our engineers spec the system and supply against it — send your project for a package quote.
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