Should we replace our sewer line with PVC or ABS?

Question

There is a crack in the existing cast iron sewer line and we need to replace 40 feet. My uncle said to get PVC because you can hear the water/sewage run through the ABS. The plumber said that is really only true for two+ story homes or if the pipe is underground. We have a one story ranch with a crawl space. The price is the same, but we'd have to specifically request PVC from the plumber.

Answer 1

Go with PVC. It is stronger than ABS but you can hear the water running thru both ABS and PVC. If you're really worried about noise, have the plumber insulate the pipe with 1" fiberglass insulation or stick with cast iron. Cast is very quiet compared to any plastic pipe but more expensive.

Answer 2

Pvc or abs can only be installed between cast iron on a horizontal run, if that's the case, they have the same sound problems, it shouldn't be that much more for only 40 ft of no-hub cast iron, and the installation is similar.

Answer 3

Go with ABS; I doubt you will have noticed the difference. Where you need to run it in a wall, you might consider insulating the pipe for sound. Personally, the noise wouldn't bother me at all. People that have a railroad track running by their back yard will tell you they don't hear the train. By all means, check the local code. Your plumber should have taken out a permit anyway.

Answer 4

You really need to check with your building inspector. Their are several types of ABS and PVC piping. Most common is the black ABS and is usually accepted in most building applications. I'm not sure why the one person is saying that ABS is no longer accepted in new construction. That's news to me.

Answer 5

I run into rotted kitchen sink drains all the time, but just the kithen drain due to the corrosive effects of dishwashing liquids and powders. Normally the rest of CI lines are ok. Running them around the house is the best bet if sewer is deep enough where he is going to tie into it at. Figure 1" every 4 ft. for proper pitch of pipe + depth @ starting point. The only other solution is breaking concrete inside home and replacing existing drain. As for $, it differs in all parts of country

Answer 6

Most plumbing codes only allow ABS for sewer systems as opposed to PVC. ABS is much heavier and it is my recommendation that it be used.

Answer 7

stick with the PCV.....ABS is not even allowed in nc new construction.......less problems with PVC....

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 8

abs

Answer 9

Go with whatever is code, and with whatever the county requires.