Hades12
Well-known member
I have had this shop almost 6 years and it had PVC in it when I got it. The other day we changed out a hose and two days later come in to find this broken. You can see stress cracks on the inside of it.
PVC air line finally let go.
- Thread starter Hades12
- Start date
CaseyJoes.
Well-known member
Surprise 
PECVD2
Well-known member
WOW, Glad no one got hurt.
looks like that brass MNPT fitting was really wrenched deep into that PVC fitting
looks like that brass MNPT fitting was really wrenched deep into that PVC fitting
Gotta agree with EPMills in post #2 about change out to copper or black pipe.
Just blew out sprinkler system today and worried it couldn't handle the 150 psi until the first zone opened up.
I'm shagging all the used black pipe I come across at sales and it will eventually be my garage air lines . . . no pvc for me.
Just blew out sprinkler system today and worried it couldn't handle the 150 psi until the first zone opened up.
I'm shagging all the used black pipe I come across at sales and it will eventually be my garage air lines . . . no pvc for me.
That would be my guess also since it was just worked on. I will be switching my over to black pipe after the holidays.
Iroc-Z
Well-known member
Second that. I was in a buddy's shop that was all pvc and he was bragging about how long he has had it (8 years) with minimal problems. I feel like if your looking long term with an air system why not spend a little extra and do it right.
Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Pex????
MrMark
Well-known member
That failed because of a common plumbing mistake. You NEVER screw a metal male thread into a plastic fitting. This failure really had nothing to say about PVC.
thightower
Well-known member
Been waiting on that to happen to mine. Dad plumbed mine with pvc 30 years ago, still together (so far).
1949 caddyman
Well-known member
Yes, always ues a male PVC into metal female.
DHS
Well-known member
They do sell some reinforced female adapters that have a stainless band. I have seen thousands install and never seen one split from being overtightened. I like them better than a pvc male adapter because they seem be tougher when stress is applied like try to curve the line.
There are many better choices around than pvc, but my employer still has the whole shop supplied with pvc, and the drops are not secured. One day someone is going to be pulling and the air hose and will bust the drop right off.
There are many better choices around than pvc, but my employer still has the whole shop supplied with pvc, and the drops are not secured. One day someone is going to be pulling and the air hose and will bust the drop right off.
Ben Buck
Well-known member
I wish the photo was better focused. IMHO, this could be the poster boy, for non pvc usage for air lines. I know, and have read the other post about this stuff lasting a long time, BUT ! 
Curtis_Peterson
Active member
PVC will breakdown overtime due to oil in the air lines and the UV rays from the sun. Anyone that tells you different doesnt know their stuff. I work on commercial air compressors. DO NOT EVER use pvc pipe for air lines. Its cheaper yes, but not worth the damage it can cause to property or person.
camarotoolman
Banned
I had a blow up not long ago, sure was thankful I wasn't near it. I don't use air much, so I just ran a hose to the compressor.
Anything threaded it's a good idea to use schedule 80 PVC fittings 40 tends to crack before leak free especially on female threaded couplings.
softailgarage
Well-known member
How many times does it have to be said, DO NOT use PVC for airlines!
Piper27
Well-known member
Exactly right, most likely would have blown out if it was water also.
rockchucker
Well-known member
Until it bottomed out! lol
PVC for Air is like playing Russian Roulette. When it goes, if you are near, you are going to wish you had not been.
Do not use PVC for Air and replace any PVC you have with Black Pipe. That really is a no brainer.
Lotek
Well-known member
djjsr
Well-known member
I've posted this before. OSHA doesn't approve use of PVC for air.
Those of you that use it in a business, read this ...........
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=21567
Those of you that use it in a business, read this ...........
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=21567
I wish the photo was better focused. IMHO, this could be the poster boy, for non pvc usage for air lines. I know, and have read the other post about this stuff lasting a long time, BUT !
Cell phone pic was the best I could do at the time, and it is long in the trash now. Knew you guys would have a field day with it.
Had one shop setup with pex for 4 years, cut it out when I moved and reused a good bit of it, It is not rated for air but seems to work good. Nice and easy to install.
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
darkk
Well-known member
Yup....holds the pressure, doesn't fracture if it fails,easily installed and is actually pretty rugged.OH and did I mention...not expensive!
bad_idea
Well-known member
djjsr
Well-known member
PEX? Be careful if you plan to use it for an air system in a business.
A while back, I contacted one of the manufacturers of Pex to find out if I could use it for air. At that time, I was told they had not tested it for air pressure, so they could not approve it for air pressure.
That was about 5 years ago and maybe things have changed. But do your research before using it. If something bad happened and an employee or customer was injured, the resulting OSHA fines or customer lawsuits won't be pleasant.
If it's just for your garage, I guess you could use an old garden hose if you want to. Just keep your family members out of the garage.
A while back, I contacted one of the manufacturers of Pex to find out if I could use it for air. At that time, I was told they had not tested it for air pressure, so they could not approve it for air pressure.
That was about 5 years ago and maybe things have changed. But do your research before using it. If something bad happened and an employee or customer was injured, the resulting OSHA fines or customer lawsuits won't be pleasant.
If it's just for your garage, I guess you could use an old garden hose if you want to. Just keep your family members out of the garage.
Ryan87LX
Well-known member
I used to work building and installing dental offices, and every job we did used Wirsbro under the floor for water and air lines. Everything always passed the inspection, and the plumbers loved to work with the stuff.
We never had a problem with them leaking or breaking.
OldTC
Well-known member
Pex should not be exposed to sunlight.
I know,....I'm replacing some sections in my home that were above the slab exposed to the sun for a couple months during construction. It becomes brittle and fails, and I'm only running 65psi from the pressure tank.
Google it.
I know,....I'm replacing some sections in my home that were above the slab exposed to the sun for a couple months during construction. It becomes brittle and fails, and I'm only running 65psi from the pressure tank.
Google it.
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Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
My local hack plumber who is always shortcutting told me if you use it expect for a fitting to blow off at some point. He is always cheaping out and doing odd stuff so I figure he is the guy to know.
BD1
Well-known member
Here's another article on the PVC air lines. Why would anyone use it ! 
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/HazAlerts/902.asp
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/HazAlerts/902.asp
383 240z
Well-known member
I just read this link http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Basics/HazAlerts/902.asp It says you can use ABS for compressed air?? Isn't that the black stuff? or is this a different kind of ABS? I thought you used ABS for drains. Keith
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
From the link: "Only Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) piping was approved for use with compressed air, provided it was marked on the pipe as approved for compressed air supply."
There was one company making ABS pipe a few years back that was specifically rated for compressed air use, but I think they've stopped manufacturing it. It was a specialty item as well, the stuff you find at the local home center will not be rated for compressed air use.
pfarber
Well-known member
Cheapest way to run air is use garden hose. Its 5/8ths ID and rated to 300PSI. 100ft is like $30.
Get NPT to hose barb adapters and you are golden. Cheap. Low PSI loss, can move a LOT of air.
Black pipe is a PITA to thread, and copper is way to expensive.
Get NPT to hose barb adapters and you are golden. Cheap. Low PSI loss, can move a LOT of air.
Black pipe is a PITA to thread, and copper is way to expensive.
carhunter
Well-known member
I'm embarrassed to admit that 10 years ago we used PVC in my business and house. It was the trend at the time - even our PPG paint rep recommended it. Took a couple years for one to finally shatter, but when it did that was a real DUH! moment. Haven't used it since.
I worked in a shop and had PVC explode towards my face while changing a quick connect.Luckily I always turn my head when doing s
wner still didnt change it out.Days later a large section blew without anyone touching it.
wner still didnt change it out.Days later a large section blew without anyone touching it.banditbigdog
Well-known member
Local business had a PVC air line shatter a while back.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141899
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141899