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ABS Hot water piping

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by corinthian99, Sep 6, 2011.

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  1. corinthian99, Sep 6, 2011
    #1
    corinthian99

    corinthian99 New Member

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    Hello All

    Remember a while back there was a post about ABS piping on a hot water system failing - but can't find it as the VSAT times out.

    Anyway your thoughts. New build half-done (in many ways) in the USA and fitted with ABS piping on the hot water system. Piping has started to fail all over - pin hole leaks opening up mid-pipe section rather than on fittings.

    Pressure on the system is a fairly low 3 bar (45psi or so) and the temp is about 55 celcius (131 fahrenheit). These figures are within the manufacturers tolerances but not by a lot.

    In the UK we don't use ABS for hot water and I would ordinarily run my system at 63 celcius but obviously daren't here.

    Has anyone some experience with this issue previously?
  2. Marmot, Sep 6, 2011
    #2
    Marmot

    Marmot Senior Member

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    Are you talking about potable water or a hydronic heating system?

    ABS is sensitive to many chemicals and the type of failure you describe sounds like chemical contamination may be the case. I have seen this before but it normally occurs in bends where expansion and contraction stresses the material and causes hairline cracks that quickly become big cracks.
  3. Loren Schweizer, Sep 6, 2011
    #3
    Loren Schweizer

    Loren Schweizer YF Associate Writer

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    My dad was in the business of plastic plumbing fittings.
    My recollections were that ABS was used in DWV--drain/waste/vent applications, i.e., low pressure, low temperature usage.
    Hot potable water called for CPVC. This has seen a lot of use in pleasurecraft.

    A caveat: chlorine, found in many drinking waters sources, causes embrittlement of PVC over time.
  4. corinthian99, Sep 6, 2011
    #4
    corinthian99

    corinthian99 New Member

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    sorry, I should be more precise - its a hot re-circulating potable water system. The same pipe is used on the cold system but we've had no issues there.

    I did initially think of chemical damage from the lagging glue (they put it on in some places with a shovel) or even physical damage in the stores but the issue has spread beyond that.

    Loren - what you say is exactly what I always thought.

    Yard etc are being a little coy with this as they can see a nice big warranty claim on the horizon.
  5. jhall767, Sep 6, 2011
    #5
    jhall767

    jhall767 Senior Member

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    Check with the manufacturer of the pipe. It should clearly labeled as to the manufacturer and rating of the pipe. It certainly sounds like they used the wrong material for your application. If so I would start the warranty claim now. If there is no label at all then its not suitable for potable water. Either way its their fault.