How To Join PVC Pipes Effectively

PVC pipes are inherent elements when it comes to the construction industry whether it is commercial or residential. Learning how to join PVC pipes can help you save from many plumbing problems in the future. 

Materials Needed For Joining PVC Pipes

Let us look through the requisite elements to join PVC pipe effectively:

• Once you have your PVC pipes that have to be joined together, the next step is to find the right glue that can help these two parts of PVC pipes together.
• The right glue to cement the pipes together depends upon the use of the PVC pipes. There are three types of glues to join the pipes together: PVC, CPVC and ABS. PVC and CPVC are similar in their compositions. CPVC is expensive and can stand higher temperatures than PVC and is mostly used for commercial purposes. ABS glues have an entirely different composition structure than the above two and are usually used in injection moulding. The most prominent types of cement glue which is used to bond PVC pipes are solvent cement which uses solvents and CPVC resin. Use solvent cement to join together PVC pipes at the molecular level.
• Once the right glue is selected, we can move on to the next phase; glue both parts of the PVC pipes. PVC pipes are normally used for residential plumbing and for sewage outlets. To fix the PVC pipes together, you will require another few elements called PVC primer and the glue or cement we talked about earlier.
• PVC primer helps prepare the surface and keeps it clean for joined parts to be sturdy in the long run. The primer can be bought in two colours: purple and clear. Purple primer helps to understand the markings clearly and is the popular one. Clear primes have their best use when it comes to residential purposes so that it looks neat. ABS pipes do not require the use of primers.

How to Join PVC Pipes (Step-by-Step)

Now, let us move on to the steps to join the UPVC water pipes effectively:

Step 1

Assess the repair required for the pipes. Keep your hardware handy as sometimes it requires cutting the damaged parts before joining the PVC tapes. Measuring tapes can be used to mark exactly where it has to be cut and joined. 

Step 2

For accurate repair work and for the fitted pipes to stay longer, it is necessary to understand that the pipes have to be joined together in the dry fitting. Marking them before you start connecting the pipes, will ensure that there will be no ambiguity and the question of connecting the wrong ones. Marking the PVC pipes with spots or numbers so they aren’t misplaced at the time of installation. 

Step 3

Once all the parts are placed at their fitting positions, you can start glueing them together. You have to make sure that you are using the right cement to glue them together. Make sure that the cement used for glueing is specifically used to glue PVC pipes together. Wearing safety glasses and safety gloves is necessary so that, your hands or skin do not come in contact with the cement. 

Step 4

Apply the primer inside the fittings and outside of the fitting. The purple primer can cause stains on the pipe. The primer’s container will usually come along with the primer brush, and make sure you run the brush across the lid to remove the excess primer liquid from the brush back into the container. The primer should be marked along the markings on the pipes which you had marked earlier. Make sure that only a very thin layer of primer should be brushed on the PVC pipes. The primer dries fast, so you do not require to wait for long to apply the cement. Apply cement to areas where the primer was applied.

Step 5

Once the cement is applied over the PVC pipes, slide the pipes into fittings and place them according to the markings on the pipe. Hold it firmly for around 30 seconds and wipe off the excess cement. Hold off for some time close to an hour so before taking it to handle and fix them in places of need.

Make sure you have all the necessary safety equipment before you decide to start the business by yourself. The substances you deal with while fitting the PVC are of high chemical composition and abrasive. It can cause irritation to the skin or eyes which has to be taken care of beforehand through gloves and other safeguards. The substances can also stain the area you are working in; make sure you cover the table or floor with sheets so that none of your spaces is stained. 

Also read: A Guide to Using Chlorine Test Kits for your Pool