Have you encountered discoloration on PVC piping after roughly 2 years in a normal sunny area, possibly due to a different manufacturer or materials used?
Asked by Dalia Almonte 
2 months ago
Last Updated: September 9, 2024
Hey, has anyone noticed this before? There’s some discoloration on this roughly 2-year-old 1 1/4 PVC piping in a regular sunny spot. The only discolored part is the expansion fitting. I have a feeling it could be from a different manufacturer or using different materials. There haven’t been any shorts or excessive heat sources nearby.
The expansion couplers I’ve used have caused this before, they don’t have the same UV protection as the conduit which leads to discoloration. PVC fittings turn brown like this under UVB exposure, especially sch80 ones that lack UV protection.
Thanks for sharing the info. I already knew it was related to the expansion fitting since the conduit was turning white as usual. This is the first time I’ve seen it happen like this and couldn’t explain it to the customer.
I have a LB that has just been sitting around and now it looks like that
Me too, got a random LB but it took ten years to get that look
It’s strange, right? I’ve been working with this stuff for over 20 years and it’s the first time I’ve seen this happen.
Wait, is that coupler Carlon branded?
I think so. Maybe Cantex?
Looks like a manufacturing defect. The discoloration is likely from excess heat.
Seems like there’s no heat source other than the sun, so I’m guessing it’s lacking in the sunlight-resistant department
Have you tried giving it a tap with your lineman’s tool?
Just wondering if you’re planning on replacing it. What’s your plan of action?
The customer mentioned he was going to paint it anyway. I offered to help, but he’s fine with it the way it is.
The idea of pulling the conductors out to replace it seems like it could be costly. Do you offer a warranty for something like this?
It’s just discoloration. No physical issue other than that. And it’s been a few years, so the short answer is no.
That’s what happened – he painted the expansion coupling, and then you took a picture to get everyone excited š¤¬
My little LB did something similar.
Wow, that’s insane. It looks like they’re made of a different material.
Which application is this used in?
There might not be heat now, but at one time, heat was likely applied to this. Maybe during the initial installation. Just paint over it if it’s a concern.
Oh, I’ve got a bunch of brand new PVC that’s been sitting around for a few years and it’s changed color in the same way.
Hey, that discoloration you’re seeing isn’t caused by heat, it’s actually from the sun’s ultraviolet rays.
Hower isn’t that just another way of saying it gets hot?
You’re kidding, right?
Hower don’t you get burnt from being in the sun too long? It gets really hot. Seriously.
So why is only the expansion joint discolored?
You should use PVC, not water pipe for this!
Yup, that PVC turned white because of sun exposure. It used to be grey originally.
Null
This was 2 years later from when we first built it, and I was amazed when I came back for a service call
Is really out there. Thanks for the photo. lad I’m not the only one lol
Herbicide.