The harsh chemical smell of the plastic glue means it’s go time. And they are going to be stuck together from now on. Pushing the pipe into the fitting give you just a few moments to ensure proper placement; no backing out of a PVC joint after that. It is more important to know your materials and tools then it is to have the courage to use a hacksaw.
Finally, here’s the breakdown of types of fittings (there are 18 different types!) and how they fit together: All those fittings in white plastic look identical, right? Wrong. They can be swapped out, sure, but only if you’re not concerned about pressure rating, which changes wildly based on pipe schedule. Standard white stuff found at hardware stores is usually Schedule 40, which is fine for home water supply/drainage applications. The grey stuff looks thicker and is, it’s Schedule 80, and can withstand much more pressure. Don’t assume you can substitute based off size; a larger-sized fitting with thinner walls won’t survive where a smaller one with thicker walls might.
Tips for Working with PVC Pipes
It’s also essential to select the appropriate cement. Heavy-body cement will squeeze out before setting in small pipes, while light-body cement will leave gap that cause leaks in larger diameter pipe. As you can see from the visual guide above, brand name and viscosity (the body of the cement) are key considerations. You must pair your selected cement with the appropriate pipe size and intended application. Although all-purpose cements exist for ease-of-use, they’re almost never the best option for high pressure critical joints. A little thing… But it makes an enormous difference where water is concerned.
Even if you’ve witnessed hobbyists get away without using primer on their fast-and-dirty projects, don’t skimp here: Primer isn’t optional. Purple primer actualy softens the PVC surface to allow the cement to fuse the plastic molecules into one single unit. No primer and you’re hoping for an adhesive bond that won’t hold up over time when heated or cooled repeatedly. Purple-stained inspectors inspects for correct installation. They want to see that purple stain! For applications like non-pressure drain lines (where staining is a no-no), there’s clear primer available, but still no skipping this step. The chart highlights this difference well. Illustrating why some codes require purple in particular.
Surprisingly, temperature does make a difference in the rate of cure with these joints. The colder the weather, the slower the chemical reaction become. You must hold that joint tightly for longer to allow proper setting. Conversely, hot weather will accelerate the curing process but with an unfortuante catch: the open time reduces dramatically and there’s little margin for error. Work in a warm environment and keep your materials inside when temperatures drop below freezing. Hurrying a cold joint is a surefire way to fail.
The one thing I can suggest that will make all your plumbing go more smoothly is developing a habit of dry fitting prior to adding any glue. Put the whole section together with dry pipes first just to verify lengths and proper fit. Then, use a pencil to draw a line on every joint. This shows exactly where the end of pipe should be inserted and how much to turn it once seated for an even cement coating. You’ve got about fifteen to thirty seconds (depending on temperature and size) from when the cement makes contact with the plastic. Turn the pipe a quarter turn immediately after inserting it to keep it watertight and help eliminate any dry spots.
Lastly, PVC is not rated for hot water applications. It will degrade if exposed to temps higher than one hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit. When doing a plumbing job involving hot water lines, use CPVC, this will look cream colored, and can handle heat significantly better. Regular PVC cement does NOT make a proper bond with CPVC pipe, leading to failures in the future. As always, consult your local codes before beginning a plumbing job as they differ from region to region. Rushing the process could of meant the difference between a good install and a flooded basement; take your time and pay close attention to little details like this.
