Pipes and fittings — price, types and what to check
Water in, waste out — each needs its own pipe.
Plumbing lines hide inside walls and floors for decades. Choose the pipe material by what flows through it and test every line before it disappears under plaster.
The basics
- CPVC for hot and cold water inside the house; UPVC for cold water and outdoor lines; SWR for soil and waste.
- Point connections are usually ½″ (15 mm); mains ¾″ to 1″.
- Use the same brand for pipe, fittings and solvent cement.
Pipes and fittings types and price ranges in India
| Type | Specification | Best used for | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPVC pipe | SDR 11, IS 15778 | Hot and cold water | ₹60–150 |
| UPVC pressure pipe | Schedule 40/80 | Cold water, tank lines, outdoor | ₹40–120 |
| PPR pipe | PN 16/20 | Hot water and solar lines | ₹60–180 |
| SWR pipe | IS 14735, 75–110 mm | Soil, waste and rainwater | ₹100–350 |
| HDPE pipe | PE 100 | Borewell and underground supply | ₹30–120 |
| GI pipe | IS 1239 | Fire lines, legacy supply | ₹150–450 |
| Valves, diverters and fittings | Brass and CPVC | Control points | ₹80–2,500 |
Quality checks before you accept delivery
- Look for ISI mark, pressure rating and brand embossed along the pipe.
- Pressure-test concealed lines at 1.5× working pressure for 24 hours before plastering.
- Fittings should push in snugly before solvent — loose fits leak.
- Check wall thickness at the cut end — it should be even all round.
- Brand and standard printing should run along the full length.
- Fittings must match the pipe's standard and class.
Pro tips
- Give waste lines a 1:40 slope and use traps with water seals to block odours.
- Keep soil (WC) and waste (basin, kitchen) lines separate, with a vent pipe above the roof.
- Photograph concealed routes before plaster — it saves drilling accidents later.
- Insulate CPVC hot lines running on the terrace.
- Keep hot and cold lines apart or insulate the hot line.
- Fit a union near every appliance for easy servicing.
- Let solvent joints cure for the time printed on the tin before pressure testing.
- Clamp exposed pipes every 1–1.5 m.
Mistakes to avoid
- UPVC on hot water lines.
- Too many bends in drain lines, causing blockages.
- No cleanout plugs on long drain runs.
- Heating PVC pipes to bend them.
- Joints buried in floors where a leak can't be reached.
Where you can save
- Buy pipes and fittings from one brand as a package.
- Stack bathrooms above each other to share shafts.
How much you need
A 2-bathroom house typically needs 150–250 m of mixed pipe.
Brands to know
Astral, Supreme, Finolex, Prince, Ashirvad, Jain