Philadelphia Weekly

REAL ESTATE

Must-do's when joining plastic pipe

Some types, cements may violate building code

By Inman News Feed

Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Apr. 22, 2011

For both PVC and CPVC, apply primer to the fitting socket and the end of the pipe, using the brush inside the primer can. Do not omit this step! Next, apply a coating of the proper cement to the end of the pipe and the fitting socket, again using the brush that's provided in the can of cement. Check to see that there are no uncoated areas.

Immediately join the pipe and the fitting. Press the two together, then twist the fitting slightly to be sure the cement is spread. Hold the two pieces together briefly, until you can see that the cement has set up.

Remember that you need to work quickly, and you'll get only one shot at completing the joint. If the fitting doesn't seat correctly, stop! Don't try to force the joint together, and don't try to separate it and reglue it. Instead, discard the fitting, cut the pipe back to a clean area, and try again.

Be sure that you read and follow all of the cement manufacturer's specific instructions for ventilation, cleaning and other safety precautions. Also refer to their instructions for specifics on pipe diameters, application methods and conditions, and for timeframes of when the joint will be ready to use.

Remodeling and repair questions? E-mail Paul at paulbianchina@inman.com. All product reviews are based on the author's actual testing of free review samples provided by the manufacturers.