Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Product Basics

What are FORMUFIT PVC products?

FORMUFIT PVC products are fittings and pipe, specifically designed to build structures and projects. FORMUFIT fittings and accessories allow inventors, designers, makers, and DIY enthusiasts to create innovative structural applications from simple, inexpensive PVC pipe available in the plumbing department of almost any hardware store.

What is the difference between all of the different sizes of pipe and fittings?

PVC pipe comes in a variety of sizes. FORMUFIT PVC products are designed so that individuals can produce any application or structure needed using almost any size pipe that their project requires. For example, some pipe is more robust, more rigid, and ideal for designs that bear weight, while some tubes are more agile and flexible, perfect for creating curved surfaces and smaller applications. Essentially, the pipe is chosen based on the design or need. 

Check out our easy-to-use PVC Size Guide to determine your project's most suitable PVC pipe size.

What is the best way to determine what size or fitting I need for my project?

Drawing out your design and planning first are great methods to determine your need. Another approach is to download our PVC fitting and pipe components for SketchUp. You can build and even test your design using SketchUp before you place your order.

Additionally, you can download and print our PVC Pipe Size Guide to see actual pipe sizes and attributes to see which size PVC pipe is for you.

Do I need to use FORMUFIT pipe with FORMUFIT fittings?

Nope. You don't have to use our pipe. You can use our Furniture Grade PVC fittings with standard plumbing-grade PVC pipe from your local hardware store or home center; however, plumbing-grade PVC does have drawbacks compared to FORMUFIT Furniture Grade PVC pipe. Limitations such as short life in the sun, yellowing, manufacturer's ink and stampings, brittleness, and a matte or dirty appearance make plumbing pipe a less-than-stellar solution. However, we offer some ideas on 'beautifying' plumbing-grade PVC pipe in our PVC How-To Guides section, specifically our PVC Pipe Cleaning Guide.

Can I use CPVC or CTS pipe with your fittings?

No. Our fittings will only work with Schedule 40 PVC pipe available in the plumbing section of your hardware store or available in our store. CPVC and CTS use a different measurement system incompatible with Schedule 40 PVC fittings. You can identify CPVC and CTS pipe by their tan or light-brown color, whereas standard PVC is white.

You can see more information on these types of pipes on our PVC vs. CPVC Compatibility page.

Can I use Thinwall PVC pipe with your PVC fittings?

Yes, but only for our external fittings. While the outside diameter will match, Thinwall PVC does not have the correct inside diameter to accommodate our internal fittings and accessories. FORMUFIT internal fittings and accessories will only fit inside Schedule 40 PVC Pipe.

How do I know which size of pipe will work with the right size fitting?

PVC pipe sizes can be somewhat illogical. This confusion comes from the fact that the named size of the PVC pipe diameter barely resembles the actual measurements.

To determine the size of the fitting you need for your pipe size, download our PVC Size Guide or refer to our PVC 101 page.

What is the difference between FORMUFIT PVC fittings and plumbing fittings?

When you put them side-by-side, the difference is quite clear. Despite the appearance, our fittings have the following benefits over plumbing-grade PVC fittings:

- Glossy, clean white, black or bright-color, UV-resistant exterior.

- No stampings, raised lettering, embossments, or barcodes.

- All FORMUFIT products are a completely solid color.

- Completely non-toxic and contain no heavy metals, harmful dioxins, phthalates, or other dangerous chemicals.

- Tapered, clean edges for increased appearance.

- Multiple configurations (3-Way, 4-Way, 5-Way) not found in plumbing-grade fittings.

Can I use your fittings or pipe for plumbing installation or repair?

FORMUFIT PVC fittings and pipes are not National Sanitary Foundation (NSF) rated for plumbing applications. Our fittings are specifically designed for structural purposes and are not designed for plumbing use. While they will work in plumbing applications, they may fail inspection, as they are unmarked. FORMUFIT products CAN be used for irrigation, aquaponics, and aquarium applications since there is usually no inspection required.

What is the best way to contact FORMUFIT if I have questions about a product?

The best method to contact us is via email, but you can also reach out to us via our Contact Us page. Additionally, we are integrated into social networking and other internet applications, such as Facebook and Twitter, which allows us to answer your questions, no matter where you are.

Shipping Basics

What shipping methods are available?

We offer four shipping methods, Economy, Basic, 2-Day, and Next Day for US customers. Orders for fittings or accessories only will ship in 1-2 business days. Orders that contain PVC pipe require additional preparation and will ship in 3-4 business days. Please see our Shipping Information page for more info.

For International customers, please see our International Orders page here.

How long will it take to get my order?

Most domestic orders arrive within 3-5 business days with Economy and Basic shipping. In addition, 2-Day and Next Day options are available for additional expense at checkout.

Does FORMUFIT ship internationally?

Yes, we ship to most countries that utilize Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) rules. Please add your desired products to the cart and proceed to checkout to see your purchase and shipping options.

Payments and Ordering

Is there a minimum order size I need to place with FORMUFIT?

Nope, there is no minimum order amount. Our flexible shipping structure allows you to order only the fittings you need at a low cost. In addition, we are the only PVC provider online to offer the use of the USPS First Class mail to allow small, inexpensive shipments (under 13 oz.) to be sent for under $4 anywhere in the US.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept all major credit cards and payment methods, including ApplePay, PayPal, Google Pay, and Shop Pay.

Do you accept international credit cards?

Yes, we accept all international Visa or MasterCard credit cards.

Is buying online safe through FORMUFIT?

Our store uses state-of-the-art encryption to ensure that all purchases are 100% safe. We never store your credit card information.

Do you charge sales tax?

FORMUFIT charges sales tax for certain states, including Kansas and Florida. If you or your organization have an exemption, please send us your documentation to info@formufit.com and we can flag your account as tax exempt.

Does FORMUFIT offer phone support or phone orders?

No — but please don’t misunderstand this as any lack of interest! We’d love to answer your questions. We know the decision to omit phone support is unusual, but after experimenting with different approaches, we’ve found that starting with email enables us to provide the fastest response and direction to the correct answers. We focus on providing fast and high-quality responses by email or through our Contact Page, so you’re always talking to a human that can help first-hand.

Cancellations and Returns

How can I change my order?

If your order has not yet shipped, you can change or modify your order directly in one of two methods:

1. In the order confirmation email sent after placing your order, click the 'View your order' button.  This will take you to an order status page; you can then click the 'Edit' button to begin modifying your order.

2. If you created an account, you can log into your account and click on the order number, then click the 'Edit' button to modify your order.

Do you accept returns?

We accept returns for any fittings and accessories. We do not accept returns for PVC pipe due to the custom cut-to-order nature of our pipe. For more information on returns, please see our Product Returns Policy page.

How long will it take for me to get my refund?

Most refunds are processed within seven business days of receiving the merchandise back at our warehouse. This timeframe can vary depending on your bank's policies.

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