When inspecting plastic pipe for damage, which of the following should be checked?

Inspecting plastic pipes for damage is crucial for ensuring their integrity and longevity. Gouges, nicks, and scratches are particularly important to check because they can compromise the pipe's structural integrity. Any surface irregularities caused by these defects can lead to weaknesses where the pipe might fail under pressure or allow for infiltration.

Unlike other factors, such as color fading, which might indicate weathering but does not directly correlate to the pipe's function, or flexibility, which pertains to the material's physical properties, the presence of gouges, nicks, or scratches directly affects the pipe's ability to transport fluids safely. Thickness is also an important consideration in some contexts, but it is generally less likely to change visibly during average service conditions compared to surface damage.

Therefore, checking for gouges, nicks, and scratches is essential in a thorough inspection to evaluate the overall condition and reliability of plastic pipes in a distribution system.