{"id":6128,"date":"2013-09-24T15:18:18","date_gmt":"2013-09-24T22:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/davenaves.com\/blog\/?p=6128"},"modified":"2025-07-18T11:50:03","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T18:50:03","slug":"dont-leave-pvc-in-sunlight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/davenaves.com\/blog\/how-to\/dont-leave-pvc-in-sunlight\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Leave PVC in Sunlight"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you have a PVC irrigation system in your yard?<\/h3>\n

If you do, is any of it\u00a0exposed to the sun? \u00a0if so, it’s bad.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why?<\/strong>
\nBecause it becomes brittle by the UV Rays.<\/p>\n

Here are the affects on PVC when exposed to sunlight over time<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Impact Strength<\/td>\nImpact Resistance<\/td>\nDecrease<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tensile Strength<\/td>\nPressure Capacity<\/td>\nNo Effect<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Modulus of Elasticity<\/td>\nPipe Stiffness<\/td>\nNo Effect<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\"PVC<\/a>

PVC painted to protect from pipe exposure to sunlight<\/p><\/div>\n

What can be done to prevent PVC damage from the sun:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Wrap it or paint it. (wrapping is better if you live in cold climates to avoid pipes bursting due to freezing)<\/p>\n

If you are dealing with a new installation, then use Schedule 80 PVC<\/strong> for anything above grade. \u00a0(it’s grey) \u00a0It is thicker, and is far more resistant to sunlight.<\/p>\n

Shedule 80 PVC<\/h3>\n