ABS and PVC are the two black and white plastics used for drain, waste, and vent pipe, and they look similar but are not interchangeable. The local code usually decides which one is used.
The ABS
ABS is a black plastic that is tough and used for drains in many regions, and it joins with a one-step cement.
The PVC
PVC is white or light-colored, and it is the more common choice in most of the country, joined with a primer and cement.
The join
The two plastics use different cements and should not be glued directly to each other; a transition fitting is used.
The code
Which plastic is standard depends on local rules. hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines In Jacksonville, the permitted material is what a pro installs.
The join
ABS and PVC use different cements, and a transition fitting joins them where they meet. Gluing one with the other's cement fails.
The call
Match the plastic to the code. Call 888-217-3585 and Jacksonville, NC Plumber Connect will match you with a Jacksonville pro.
Plumbing in Jacksonville: what to know
In Jacksonville, hard water is common across the region, and older neighborhoods still have galvanized supply lines. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.
Across Onslow County — from Holly Ridge, Surf City and Havelock to ZIP codes like 28543, 28542, 28540 — homeowners deal with the same kinds of issues. The tips above apply locally, and when a job goes beyond a quick fix, a vetted local pro is only a call away.
Need a hand in Jacksonville?
If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Jacksonville, NC Plumber Connect will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Jacksonville.