What year(s) did we convert to PVC?

Happy holidays friends I am among those dopes who forgot this year to winterize my two garden hose bibbs. Weather has already been subzero here in Chicago and is currently 12 deg. F. I do not have frost-proof hose bibbs. Normally, at the end of fall I detach the hoses, turn off the supply valves in the basement, and leave open the bibb valves for the winter. As of last night, I have detached the outside hoses, and closed the inside supply valves (lever-type ball valve on copper supply lines). Not surprisingly, when I tried to open the bibbs to allow for expansion, I found them frozen. Question: Can I just leave well enough alone, or should I use a heat gun to thaw the bibbs long enough to let out trapped ice (and the water behind it)? With the bibb valve left open, it could then refreeze as it always does but with room to expand without breaks. (FYI: One supply valve is 3' from the exterior wall and has the small drain cap; the other, added after a pipe burst a few years ago, is 12' from the exterior wall, and has NO drain cap. Both are mounted below grade. I suppose I could open the drain cap on the one that has it...but...I've never used it before and risk causing a new issue. Thanks for any opinions. gregger (the dope)

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They are still used commercially, mostly above ground, but some locations underground. Biggest reason for above ground commercially is they can pe placed in a plenum ceiling space where PVC cannot because of fire spread. (NFPA code).

Cast iron is more expensive material cost as well as labor cost. That is why the switch to PVC.

Also PVC cannot be placed in direct UV exposure as it will break it down.

EDIT:

Personally I prefer cast to PVC above ground but it is cost prohibitive for residential. Cast is quieter and you can&#;t accede to put a crew in it hanging a picture and cause sewer gas smell to leak out.

This post was edited on 11/10/24 at 4:55 pm

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They still use them. Charlotte pipe and Tyler pipe are both the US manufacturers. They are also some Chinese makers that are crap.They are still used commercially, mostly above ground, but some locations underground. Biggest reason for above ground commercially is they can pe placed in a plenum ceiling space where PVC cannot because of fire spread. (NFPA code).Cast iron is more expensive material cost as well as labor cost. That is why the switch to PVC.Also PVC cannot be placed in direct UV exposure as it will break it down.EDIT:Personally I prefer cast to PVC above ground but it is cost prohibitive for residential. Cast is quieter and you can&#;t accede to put a crew in it hanging a picture and cause sewer gas smell to leak out.

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