Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsCharlotte Pipe ManualsCPVC Pipe & Fittings3/4 IPSX3/4 CTS CPVC TRANS CPLNG

Charlotte Pipe is a registered trademark of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company.

FlowGuard Gold is a registered trademark of Lubrizol Corp.

(Updated June 9, 2020)

• Transitions from metal pipe to CPVC pipe can be made through a variety of methods such as threaded connections, ﬂanges, and grooved

adapters. Occasionally the metal pipe may contain residual oils that were used to aid in the cutting process. Some of the oils used for this

purpose, especially those marketed as “environmentally friendly” or “vegetable based” may be incompatible with CPVC. If a cutting oil is

used, consult with the manufacturer of the cutting oils for a speciﬁc recommendation as to compatibility with CPVC.

• Dye penetrants used to test the quality of welds in metal piping may contain plasticizers or other chemicals incompatible with CPVC. Dye

penetrants left on the inside surface of welded metal pipes may later wash into CPVC piping connected to it. This situation could create

environmental stress cracking in CPVC wherever collections of the penetrant chemical might lodge. These penetrants should be removed

from the metal pipe prior to connecting to CPVC, or the manufacturer of the dye penetrant should be consulted with regard to recommending

a proper penetrant to use with metal/CPVC systems.

Paint:

• Water-based acrylic latex paint is the preferred and recommended paint to use on CPVC pipe and ﬁttings. Oil or solvent-based

paints may be chemically incompatible.

Polyurethane (Spray-on) Foams:

• In understanding spray polyurethane foams, there are two general areas of concern for CPVC pipe and ﬁttings; (1) chemical compatibility

and (2) potential damage to pipe and ﬁttings due to high temperatures generated as a result of the exothermic chemical reaction during

the installation and curing process. It is possible to apply polyurethane foam insulation properly without damage to CPVC pipe and ﬁttings.

However, the use of polyurethane foam insulation in conjunction with CPVC has resulted in the failure of CPVC pipe and ﬁttings and property

damage. Therefore, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry does not recommend the use of polyurethane spray-on foam insulation in conjunction with

its CPVC pipe and ﬁttings.

Residual Oils with HVAC Applications:

• Some heat exchangers or condenser coils may contain residual oils from the manufacturing process which can cause cracking of CPVC.

Caution should be exercised when installing CPVC in combination hot water/air heating units or as condensate drain lines for air conditioning

systems. Conﬁrm the compatibility of CPVC with residual oils prior to installation. The interior of heat exchangers or the exterior of

condenser coils may be thoroughly ﬂushed with mild detergent solution to remove incompatible oils prior to piping installation. A rinse with

clean water to completely clean the system is advisable as a ﬁnal ﬂushing.

Rubber and Flexible Materials Containing Plasticizers:

• CPVC is not compatible with some rubber and ﬂexible vinyl materials containing certain types of plasticizers. Incompatible plasticizers

include, but are not limited to, phthalates, adipates, trimellitates, dibenzoates, etc. Compatibility should be conﬁrmed before selecting

rubber for ﬂexible vinyl materials for direct contact with CPVC. Examples of materials which may contain incompatible plasticizers include,

but are not limited to, caulks, rubbery hanger padding, vinyl dip coating on metal parts, rubber gaskets, electrical wire jacketing, electrical

tape, ﬂexible hose or tube, etc. Further, plasticizers may leach from rubber or ﬂexible vinyl materials, such as hoses or tank linings, into the

process ﬂuid which contacts them. Plasticizer contamination in the process ﬂuid may also cause environmental stress cracking of CPVC used

elsewhere in the system. This can include both CPVC process piping, through which contaminated ﬂuid may ﬂow, or CPVC ducting drawing

fumes from contaminated ﬂuid.

Sleeving Materials:

• In situations where sleeving is required, the pipe should be protected with a compatible sleeving material extending at least 12" above and

below the soil. The top of the sleeving should be securely taped to the pipe with a compatible tape product. Backﬁll over underground piping

prior to termiticide spraying.

Spray-on Coatings:

• Certain types of spray-on coatings which form a peelable ﬁlm to protect ﬁxtures during construction may be incompatible with CPVC. Care

should be used to protect exposed piping from overspray when this type of protective coating is applied.

Steel Pipe with Antimicrobial Coating:

• Contractors should not use steel pipe with antimicrobial coating, such as Allied's ABF 11, in conjunction with CPVC pipe and ﬁttings, unless

the factory-applied coated steel pipe has been approved by the pipe manufacturer.

Teﬂon

Tape:

• Charlotte Pipe

recommends Teﬂon tape as the preferred thread sealant.

Termiticides and Insecticides:

• When performing an under-slab installation, or where the presence of insecticides or termiticides is likely, care should be taken to isolate

CPVC pipe from direct contact with large quantities of these chemicals. Vinyl piping materials such as PVC or CPVC may be damaged when

termiticides or insecticides are injected into the annular space between the pipe wall and sleeving material trapping the termiticide against

the pipe wall. Termiticide applications per label instructions in an open-air environment, such as slab pretreat applications, should not pose

a problem. However, puddling of termiticides on or near CPVC may cause failure. In areas where puddling is more likely, such as near tub

boxes and retreat applications, extra care should be taken to avoid puddling of termiticides. Exercising caution and common sense should

prevent installation problems. For more information, review your manufacturer’s installation guide.

• Additional precautions need to be taken when retreat applications are required. Termiticide retreatment is usually required when the

concrete slab has been broken to relocate a pipe. The following recommendations should be followed in retreat applications:

- Remove all the plastic barrier material that was installed prior to the initial concrete pour from the area to be retreated. Do not reinstall

the plastic barrier material.

- After the pipe has been relocated, the soil should be pretreated before it is placed in hole around the pipe. Do not apply termiticide directly

to the retreat area.

- Termiticides that contain cypermethrin should not be used in retreat applications.

• Note: Many insecticides and termiticides are incompatible with CPVC. Assume that all are aggressive and not compatible with FlowGuard

Gold CPVC pipe and ﬁttings.

• When installing CPVC where the presence of insecticides or termiticides is likely, conﬁrm compatibility prior to application. Exercise

caution. For more information, review your manufacturer’s installation guide.

Installation Notes:

• Use CTS CPVC male threaded adapters for cold water only.

• Protect CPVC from long term exposure to direct sunlight.

• Space CPVC more than 6 inches from gas ﬂue.

• Allow for thermal expansion and contraction.