Why Is PVC Pipe So Expensive? (Find Out Now!)

Anyone planning a remodel or new construction knows that almost every kind of building material has suffered significant price increases. PVC pipe is no exception. Like almost all other building and construction materials, PVC pipe has seen an escalating price trend over the past months.

Several factors work to keep PVC pipe prices on an inflationary trend. A boom in the building market has put pressure on manufacturers to increase supply. At the same time, problems with raw material supplies and labor shortages have made greater production hard to achieve. PVC shortages have driven the cost for the finished good ever higher.

Add the effects of the pandemic, and the result is PVC pipe prices at all new highs across the country. Product shortages have occurred in some areas as manufacturers face logistic problems with delivering both raw materials and finished goods. Many industry analysts predict that these rising price trends will continue through the new year.

Many PVC manufacturers report that supplies of polyvinyl resin, the basic compound used to manufacture PVC pipe, have been in short supply. China manufactures about one-half the entire world’s supply of polyvinyl resin. The single largest supplier of PVC resins in China produces about thirty percent of the world’s supply of polyvinyl resins.

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have certainly caused problems with the polyvinyl resin supply chain. In the early part of the pandemic, China was particularly hard hit and has not yet fully regained its production capacities. Other manufacturers have attempted to step up production, but environmental and regulatory problems have stymied many of these efforts in other countries.

The problems within the global shipping industry have exacerbated the supply problems. Logjams at ports, a lack of container ships, and slow port operations have left much of the polyvinyl resin supply sitting on the ocean awaiting offload and delivery.

Rising demand for any product almost always results in rising prices. This is particularly true when supply is limited or curtailed by natural events or regulatory issues. Many people who have been confined at home during the pandemic chose to fill the time with home upgrades. The PVC pipe market has seen a huge jump in demands at both brick and mortar stores and on the internet eCommerce sites.

It is an axiom of economics that prices rise as demand increases and supply remains static or decreases. As more and more people began chasing PVC pipe products and the effects of the pandemic were felt in supply, prices began to rise and continue to do so today.

In general, no. Demand remains strong for PVC pipe and fittings as the overall economy remains strong. Construction in the US is at near-record levels pushing demand for PVC across the sector. Most industry analysts see no relief in the demand for PVC pipe through the new year.

In addition, as the Covid-19 pandemic remains present, manufacturing and logistics problems are almost certain to continue. This inability to meet the demand for raw materials coupled with increasing demand from the construction industry will, without doubt, see more price increases in the future.

PVC pipe is not particularly well suited for hot water systems. The heat of the water can have a negative effect on the structure of the PVC pipe. Some building codes prohibit PVC pipe from being used in potable hot water delivery systems.

On the other hand, PEX handles hot water with ease. In some cases, PEX provides a small amount of insulating property, keeping the water warmer as it travels through the pipe. The structure of PEX does not react to hot water, making it safe for potable water systems.

Cold can be extremely tough on PVC pipe. PVC is relatively rigid and does not deal well when exposed to freezing temperatures. Water trapped inside the pipe expands and can easily crack the pipe and fittings. PVC pipe must be well insulated or installed in temperature-controlled environments.

PEX is flexible and can expand to a certain degree if frozen. This makes PEX much more tolerant of cold environments. In addition, this flexibility makes PEX easier to install. PEX tubing can be safely bent around corners and threaded through irregular openings. PVC must have joints and fittings at every turn in the system.