ABS vs PVC Drain Pipe: A Burbank Guide

2026-03-31

Plumbing Guide

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.

ABS vs PVC Drain Pipe: A Burbank Guide

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. mineral-rich water varies by region, and older neighborhoods still run on aging galvanized or copper lines In Burbank, 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 Burbank Plumbing Helpers will match you with a Burbank pro.

Plumbing in Burbank: what to know

In Burbank, mineral-rich water varies by region, and older neighborhoods still run on aging galvanized or copper lines. Pros in our network know the local quirks and bring the right parts on the first visit.

Across Los Angeles County — from Glendale, La Ca Ada Flintridge and West Hollywood to ZIP codes like 91502, 91506, 91505 — 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 Burbank?

If a plumbing issue is beyond a quick fix, don't wait for it to get worse. Call 888-217-3585 and Burbank Plumbing Helpers will match you with a vetted local pro — usually within minutes. Learn more about plumbing help in Burbank.

Plumbing emergency or urgent repair? Call now.

Call 888-217-3585 and we'll match you with a vetted plumbing pro in Burbank — usually within minutes.

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