What Is the Difference Between White & Black PVC Pipe?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is used in plumbing, electrical and industrial applications. The first manufacturers of PVC made the pipe an industrial gray color. Since then, other colors of pipe have come onto the market. In all applications, PVC must meet applicable codes and standards for the area. However, no official color coding exists.

White PVC

• White PVC piping is probably the most recognizable, and most widely-used, color of piping. It is most often used for water applications inside homes.

Black PVC

• Though less common than white, black PVC piping can often be found in underground piping such as water supply lines and sewer lines. It is also used as a conduit (pipe channel) for housing electrical and telecommunications wiring.

Additional Colors

• PVC is also manufactured in blue, usually to indicate water piping, and green, to indicate sewer lines.