Illinois Home Inspector Practice Exam

What color is PVC pipe typically?

1. Green

2. Black

3. Blue

4. White

The correct answer is: White

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) pipe is typically recognizable by its white color. This color is a standard for most plumbing and drain applications, distinguishing it from other types of pipes made from different materials such as ABS or CPVC. The white coloration of PVC pipes is not only a convention but also serves practical purposes. Being light in color, they reflect heat, which helps in reducing temperature changes that could affect the integrity of the pipe when exposed to direct sunlight. Additionally, the white color makes it easier to identify and differentiate from other pipe materials during installation, maintenance, and inspections. Other colors, such as green, black, or blue, are used for different types of piping or specific applications, such as underground drain pipes or certain types of water supply lines, but they are not standard for PVC. Thus, white is the correct and most recognized color for PVC pipes in most contexts.