It can be confusing if you are new to do-it-yourself projects to know just what each part is and why it is important in an overall design. One term that is not used all that often but it is an important part of many projections and PVC system designs is a PVC flange.
A flange, at least when it comes to plumbing and most types of fabrication is typically a plate or a ring shape. It allows the pipe to be secured in the location, prevent the pipe, system or structure from moving. It typically has a raised rim or lip that holds the pipe in place and then a series of holes around the base to allow it to be secured in place.
There are several different types of flanges, including PVC flange systems that can be used in everything from toilets to other plumbing systems or for simply holding a PVC system in place. Many types of flanges can also be made of metals, typically forged, but one made of PVC is strong, durable, lightweight and also won’t rust over time if exposed to any type of water or humidity.
Blind Flanges
At FlexPVC, we often get questions about when to use a blind flange, and just what it really does anyway. It is really just a way to shut off a pipe as it is a solid cap with a very slight lip that matches up with a flange that mounts on the end of the pipe.
The blind flange and the solid flange, or sometimes a van stone flange, will be bolted together with a gasket in between to prevent any leaks.
Van Stone Flanges
Van Stone flanges are used in a wide variety of different applications. They are often used to separate a pipe from a pump or a fitting as they secure the PVC pipe in place while providing a bolt on end to the pipe. This corresponds to the flange on the pump, and a gasket is used in between, to create a tight and secure attachment.
This is ideal for use where there is a lot of vibration or movement of the system that would make any other type of connection unstable and more likely to leak or simply not hold. These flanges are all rated for a specific pressure, and it will be important to choose the correct flange for the specifics of the system.
At FlexPVC flanges in the inventory include toilet flanges, or DWV closet flanges, socket flanges and all the gaskets, nuts and bolts you need in our PVC flange kit packages.
