Quick answer
ABS drain pipe is black plastic pipe made from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, sized to Schedule 40 iron pipe dimensions and used for a building’s drain, waste and vent lines, not for pressurized drinking water.
It is made to ASTM D2661 (solid or coextruded wall) or ASTM F628 (cellular core) and joined with ABS solvent cement to ASTM D2235.
Quick facts
The key facts about ABS Drain Pipe, with sources:
Key takeaways
- ABS is the black plastic pipe used for drains and vents; white or cream pipe is usually PVC.
- It comes as solid wall or coextruded pipe (ASTM D2661) or with a foam-like cellular core (ASTM F628).
- ABS joins to ABS with its own cement, ASTM D2235; PVC uses a different cement.
- Joining ABS to PVC needs a listed transition fitting or, for non-pressure lines, ASTM D3138 transition cement.
- California’s code allows ABS DWV but limits it in some building types, so check local rules.
What ABS pipe is made of and what it carries
ABS stands for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, a plastic blend. ASTM D2661, the main product standard, covers fittings and single-wall and coextruded ABS drain, waste and vent pipe made to Schedule 40 iron pipe sizes 1.
Schedule 40 IPS means the outside diameter and wall follow the same size system used for steel pipe, so a 3-inch ABS pipe and a 3-inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe have the same nominal size. See our pipe schedule page for what that means.
The standard is strict about what goes in. D2661 excludes reprocessed or recycled plastic and plastic that does not meet its virgin ABS definition, though it allows rework plastic that meets its rules 1. F628 has the same limit for cellular core pipe 2.
ABS is a drainage material: it carries waste downhill by gravity and lets air move through the vents, so you will not find it on the pressurized supply lines that carry drinking water, which use PEX, copper or CPVC instead.
In a typical two-story house built with plastic drains, every pipe from the sink tailpiece down to the slab, plus the vent that pokes through the roof, can be ABS.
How ABS carries waste from a fixture to the sewer
- Sink, tub or toilet
- Trap holds a water seal
- ABS trap arm and branch drain
- ABS stack, with a vent rising through the roof
- ABS building drain under the floor
- Transition fitting at the property line
- Building sewer to the street or septic tank
Gravity, not pressure
Drain pipe flows partly full, downhill. That is why ABS and PVC drain products are tested for stiffness, flattening, impact and bond strength rather than for high water pressure 1. ASTM limits ABS-to-PVC transition cement to non-pressure use of 25 psi or less 4.
Which kinds of ABS pipe, fitting and cement exist
| Type | Standard | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Solid wall ABS DWV pipe | ASTM D2661-24 1 | Single-layer Schedule 40 IPS pipe |
| Coextruded ABS DWV pipe | ASTM D2661-24 1 | Layered wall, all layers ABS |
| Cellular core ABS pipe | ASTM F628-24 2 | Solid skins with a closed-cell ABS core |
| ABS DWV fittings | ASTM D2661, Annex A1 1 | Molded elbows, wyes, sanitary tees, cleanouts |
| ABS solvent cement | ASTM D2235 3 | For joining ABS to ABS |
| ABS-to-PVC transition cement | ASTM D3138 4 | For non-pressure transition joints only |
- Outer skinSolid ABS; carries the print line
- Cellular coreClosed-cell foamed ABS
- Inner skinSolid ABS; the surface waste flows over
Outside diameter matches Schedule 40 IPS, so D2661 fittings fit it. Source: [2]
The cellular core wall is the one most people misjudge. The diagram below shows why it still counts as Schedule 40 pipe: only the middle layer is foamed, and both skins are solid ABS.
Example: choosing the right joint for five real connections
This worked example applies the 2025 California Plumbing Code joining rules and the ASTM cement standards to common jobs. Your local code may differ 67.
| Connection | Allowed method | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ABS pipe to ABS fitting | ABS solvent cement (ASTM D2235); hold 1 minute | 63 |
| ABS building drain to PVC sewer | Listed transition fitting, or ASTM D3138 transition cement for non-pressure lines | 74 |
| ABS to cast iron | Listed mechanical coupling (ASTM C1173 below ground, C1460 above, C1461 either) | 7 |
| ABS to a threaded fitting | Molded threaded adapter, solvent-welded to the pipe; Schedule 80 minimum to cut threads | 6 |
| ABS push-on joint | Elastomeric gasket to ASTM D3212 | 6 |
- Cut squareThen deburr
- Clean and dryNo dirt, moisture or oil
- Apply ABS cementTo both surfaces (ASTM D2235)
- Join while wetSocket and pipe both wet
- Hold 1 minuteLeave undisturbed
ASTM D2235 notes that water destroys the bonding ability of solvent cement, so everything must be dry. Source: [6] [3]
One rule runs through all five: match the joint to the two materials and follow the maker’s instructions.
ASTM says D3138 cement is for transition joints, not an all-purpose cement for mixing ABS and PVC throughout a system 4.
If you are not sure what your pipe is, read the print line on its side before you buy cement.
How to identify ABS pipe in your home
Look under a sink, in a basement or crawlspace, or in an unfinished wall. ABS drain lines are black.
The print line along the pipe names the material, the size, the standard (D2661 or F628) and the maker.
That print is the most reliable way to tell ABS from PVC, because paint, dirt and age can hide color.
On a quote or inspection report, ABS often shows up as "ABS DWV" or "ABS Sch 40." A note like "ABS to PVC transition" means two materials meet. Our pipe materials guide compares the drain and supply options side by side.
On older homes, you may see ABS mixed with cast iron or galvanized drain lines. The joints between them need listed couplings 7. A sewer camera inspection can show what the buried lines are made of.
Run through the short check below before you buy cement or a coupling; it takes a minute with a flashlight and saves a wrong-part trip.
- Pipe is a drain or vent, not a pressurized supply line
- Print line reads ABS with ASTM D2661 or F628
- Wall is black under any paint or dirt
- Joints show black cement, not purple primer
- Where it meets white pipe, a listed transition fitting or coupling is present
What ABS does well and where it falls short
Strengths
- Joined with solvent cement, with no torch or soldering 6.
- Joins in one step with ABS cement; the CPC does not call for a primer for ABS joints 6.
- Made to Schedule 40 IPS, so sizes line up with PVC DWV 1.
- Standards bar recycled plastic, which limits quality swings 12.
- Listed for drain, waste and vent use in the CPC with its own joining rules 56.
Drawbacks
- Not a water supply material.
- Cannot be solvent-welded to PVC with ordinary cement; needs a transition method 47.
- Some California occupancies limit or bar ABS and PVC DWV 5.
- Plastic DWV must meet firestop rules where it passes through rated walls and floors 5.
- Threads may only be cut in Schedule 80 or heavier pipe 6.
Which buildings and spaces restrict ABS
Codes, not just the pipe, decide where ABS goes.
California’s 2025 code, in force since 1 January 2026, requires ABS and PVC DWV to follow the referenced standards and the firestop rules of the California Building Code. In ducts and plenums, outside single-family homes, materials exposed in ducts or plenums need a flame-spread index of 25 or less and a smoke-developed index of 50 or less under ASTM E84 or UL 723 5.
The same section limits ABS and PVC to buildings of no more than two stories of residential use in housing regulated by the state housing department (HCD 1 and HCD 2), and does not allow them at all in hospital and clinic buildings under OSHPD 5. Other states write their own limits.
We could not load a primary source for ABS temperature limits, expansion rates or service life, so this page does not state them. Ask for the maker’s technical data when those matter, such as for hot discharge from appliances.
What drives the cost of ABS drain work
We do not list prices; fair numbers need dated local quotes.
Pipe material is usually a small part of a drain job. Cost follows access (open basement vs finished walls or a slab), the length of run, the number of fittings, transitions to other materials, firestopping where pipe crosses rated assemblies, permit and inspection, and testing of the new lines.
Choosing ABS or PVC rarely changes the labor much; the code and what is already in the house usually decide it.
Our plumbing cost guide explains how quotes are built, and our drain cleaning and repair service page covers drain line repairs.
How ABS drain lines are installed and inspected
- Plan and permit: New or changed drain lines usually need a plumbing permit.
- Check the material is allowed: Confirm ABS is permitted for the building type and location 5.
- Cut, clean and cement: Square cuts, deburred, dry surfaces, D2235 cement, hold 1 minute 63.
- Make transitions right: Listed couplings or transition fittings where ABS meets other materials 7.
- Support and slope: Hang and slope the pipe as the code and maker require.
- Firestop: Seal penetrations through rated walls and floors per the building code 5.
- Test: The inspector usually wants a water or air test before walls close.
How to keep ABS drain lines working
- Use a drain snake or plunger before harsh chemicals.
- Keep grease and wipes out of drains, as with any drain material.
- Do not cement or glue a cracked fitting; cut it out and replace it.
- Read the print line before buying repair parts or cement, so you match ABS to ABS.
- Keep exposed ABS out of long sun exposure where you can; ask the maker about outdoor ratings.
Which ABS problems need a plumber
- Water stains or drips below a drain joint.
- A sewer smell near a drain line, which can mean a failed joint or dry trap.
- Cracks at a fitting, often near a heavy toilet or where pipe was stressed.
- A joint where ABS meets PVC with no visible transition fitting, or with mismatched cement.
- Slow drains in several fixtures at once, which points to a main line problem.
Solvent fumes and sewer gas
Solvent cements give off strong vapors; work with ventilation and follow the label. A leaking drain or vent joint can let sewer gas into the home. Do not enter a sewer pit or septic tank to trace a leak. If a smell is strong or you feel unwell, get fresh air and call a plumber.
For an active leak or backup, see our plumbing emergencies guide. Our leak detection and repair service covers hidden leaks.
Which codes and standards govern ABS drain pipe
California Plumbing Code, 2025 edition (UPC-based, effective 1 January 2026), §701.2: drainage materials must meet a standard listed in Table 701.2; ABS and PVC DWV must also meet California Building Code firestop rules, with HCD and OSHPD limits noted above 5.
CPC 2025 §705.1: ABS joints follow the maker’s instructions; mechanical push-on joints use ASTM D3212 gaskets; solvent joints use ASTM D2235 cement and are held 1 minute; threads only on Schedule 80 or heavier; HCD-regulated housing must use low-VOC primers and cements 6. These rules read the same as in the 2022 edition.
CPC 2025 §705.10: joints between different materials use listed couplings (ASTM C1173 below ground, C1460 above, C1461 either) or a transition fitting listed for that specific change, and ABS may not be solvent welded to unlike materials except where §705.9.4 allows 7.
Product standards: ASTM D2661-24 1, ASTM F628-24 2, ASTM D2235 cement 3 and ASTM D3138-21 transition cement 4. IPC and IRC states list ABS in their own drainage tables; we could not read those at source. Check the code your jurisdiction adopted.
How ABS compares with PVC, cast iron and copper DWV
| Material | Color and makeup | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| ABS (D2661 / F628) | Black ABS plastic 1 | Joins with ABS cement (D2235) 3 |
| PVC DWV | Usually white PVC | Joins with PVC cement (D2564) 4 |
| Cast iron | Heavy metal soil pipe | Joins with couplings or caulked hubs; listed couplings to plastic 7 |
| Copper DWV | Thin copper drainage tube | Must be at least DWV weight 5 |
| CPVC | Cream or tan plastic | Usually a supply pipe, not a drain pipe |
What people get wrong about ABS pipe
- Myth Any plastic pipe cement works on ABS.
- Reality ABS cement is ASTM D2235; PVC cement is a different standard, D2564 4.
- Myth ABS and PVC can be glued together anywhere.
- Reality ASTM D3138 transition cement is for transition joints in non-pressure lines, not for mixing materials throughout 4.
- Myth Cellular core pipe is not real Schedule 40.
- Reality ASTM F628 pipe is made to Schedule 40 IPS and takes D2661 fittings 2.
- Myth ABS is banned in California.
- Reality The CPC allows it with limits in some building types 5.
- Myth ABS can carry drinking water.
- Reality ABS DWV is a drain, waste and vent product 1.
How state codes change where ABS is allowed
Whether ABS is the right drain pipe depends on the code your state and city adopted.
California’s UPC-based code allows ABS DWV, limits it to two stories of residential use in HCD-regulated housing, bars it in OSHPD health facilities, and requires low-VOC cements in HCD housing 56.
IPC states have their own material tables and amendments. Ask your building department before a remodel that adds or changes drain lines.
When ABS matters to you and what to do next
It matters when you repair or extend a drain, add a bathroom, or join new pipe to old. The key questions are what the existing pipe is, what your code allows, and how the two will be joined.
Read the print line, match the cement or coupling to the materials, and get a permit for new drain work. The guide below settles the joint question for the four connections homeowners meet most; a plumber can tell you whether a repair or a larger replacement makes sense.
Questions about ABS Drain Pipe
Is ABS or PVC better for drain lines?
Neither is better everywhere; both are listed drain, waste and vent materials, and the local code and the pipe already in the house usually decide.
ABS joins in one step with ASTM D2235 cement and no primer under the California code, while PVC uses its own cement.
Matching the existing material avoids a transition joint, which is often the deciding factor on a repair.
What is the difference between ABS and PVC pipe?
Both are plastic drain pipes made to Schedule 40 sizes, but they are different plastics with different cements. ABS is usually black and joins with ASTM D2235 cement; PVC is usually white and joins with ASTM D2564 cement. Codes list both for drain, waste and vent use, with local limits.
Can you glue ABS to PVC?
Only with the right method. ASTM D3138 transition cement is made for ABS-to-PVC joints in non-pressure lines of 25 psi or less, such as an ABS building drain meeting a PVC sewer. California’s code also allows listed transition fittings. Ordinary ABS or PVC cement is not the right product for that joint.
Is ABS pipe allowed by code?
In many places, yes. The 2025 California Plumbing Code allows ABS DWV with its own joining rules, but limits it to two stories of residential use in HCD-regulated housing and bars it in OSHPD health facilities. IPC states have their own tables. Check the code your city adopted.
What is cellular core ABS pipe?
Cellular core ABS pipe, made to ASTM F628, has solid ABS inner and outer skins with a closed-cell foam ABS core between them. It is made to Schedule 40 iron pipe sizes, and fittings that meet ASTM D2661 work with it.
How do I know if my pipe is ABS?
Look for black plastic drain pipe and read the print line along its side. ABS pipe is printed with the material, size and standard, such as ASTM D2661 or F628. Color alone is not proof, since pipe can be painted or dirty, so the print line is the best check.
How long does ABS cement take to set?
California’s plumbing code says to hold an ABS solvent joint in place undisturbed for 1 minute after assembly. Full cure takes longer and depends on the cement, temperature and pipe size, so follow the cement maker’s label before testing or using the line.
Does ABS pipe need primer?
California’s 2025 code joining rule for ABS calls for ABS solvent cement on clean, dry surfaces and does not require a primer step, though it sets low-VOC rules for any primer used in HCD-regulated housing. Follow the cement maker’s instructions and your local code.
Sources
- ASTM D2661, Standard Specification for ABS Schedule 40 Plastic Drain, Waste, and Vent Pipe and Fittings (scope and abstract, ASTM store), retrieved .
- ASTM F628-24, ABS Schedule 40 Plastic DWV Pipe With a Cellular Core (scope summary, Nimonik), retrieved .
- ASTM D2235, Standard Specification for Solvent Cement for ABS Plastic Pipe and Fittings (scope, ASTM store), retrieved .
- ASTM D3138-21, Solvent Cements for Transition Joints Between ABS and PVC Non-Pressure Piping Components (scope, ASTM store), retrieved .
- California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5), 2025 edition, §701.2 Drainage Piping (GoCodebook public copy), retrieved .
- California Plumbing Code, 2025 edition, §705.1 ABS and ABS Co-Extruded Plastic Pipe and Joints (GoCodebook public copy), retrieved .
- California Plumbing Code, 2025 edition, §705.10 Joints Between Various Materials (GoCodebook public copy), retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyrePlumber Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Material, sizing and recycled-plastic rules are from the published scopes of ASTM D2661, F628, D2235 and D3138 (full standards are paywalled).
Joining, transition, firestop and occupancy limits are from public copies of the 2025 California Plumbing Code (in force 1 January 2026) §701.2, §705.1 and §705.10, re-checked 2026-10-13 and unchanged from 2022.
IPC/IRC material tables were not readable at source and are not quoted. No temperature, expansion or lifespan figures are given because no primary source was loaded. No prices are given.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.