Features & Benefits
Product Comparisons
Check out the difference. You'll be sold on Gold!
We invite you to compare, point by point, a FlowGuard Gold® plumbing system with PEX pipe. The performance characteristics of FlowGuard Gold pipe and fittings have been thoroughly documented through laboratory testing.
| Performance Characteristics | FlowGuard Gold® Pipe & Fittings | PEX for Plumbing |
| AFFECTED BY CHLORINE OR COMMON WATER DISINFECTANTS | No | Varies by manufacturer |
| INSTALLATION APPEARANCE & QUALITY IDENTIFICATION | Straight,
"professional" appearance Tan in color with distinctive gold stripe FlowGuard Gold name |
Drooped, "spaghetti-like"
appearance May be difficult to distinguish type of PEX |
| PRODUCT CONSISTENCY | All compound and finished goods produced to one industry standard | Multiple formulations & raw material processes, wide variance in processing methods |
| SPECIAL TOOLS REQUIRED | None | Expensive
crimp or expansion tools must be calibrated May be very confusing to service/repair |
| WATER FLOW | Very High | Below average. May cause drip damage. |
| WATER HAMMER POTENTIAL | Full | Smaller tube I.D. and insert fittings can restrict water flow |
| COMBUSTIBILITY | Will not sustain combustion | Easily sustained & propagated |
| TRACK RECORD | Over 40-year history of successful installations | Limited North American plumbing experience |
| UV RESISTANCE | Contains
stabilizers to protect against incremental UV exposure Pressure bearing capability does not diminish with UV exposure or age |
UV stabilization
varies by manufacturer If not properly protected, no visible change but properties can deteriorate |
| PERMEABILITY | Not permeable by trace amounts of common aromatic solvents that may be present in soil due to pesticide applications | Varies by manufacturer |
The information contained herein is based on extensive laboratory testing and thousands of successful CPVC system installations dating from 1960. However, no representations, guarantees, or warranties of any kind are made as to the information. Because of variations in production methods, conditions, and equipment used commercially in processing these materials, and because of variations in plumbing installation methods, conditions, and equipment, Lubrizol shall not be liable for and the customer assumes all risk and liability for any use or handling of material beyond Lubrizol's direct control. LUBRIZOL MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Nothing contained herein is to be considered as permission, a recommendation, or an inducement to practice any patented invention without permission of the patent owner.
