How To Glue PVC Pipe And Fittings Together & Avoid Leaks

When it comes to gluing PVC pipe and PVC fittings there are two very important things to remember, always use primer and always ensure your PVC fitting and PVC pipe is clean by starting off with these two things in mind your on the way to getting a water tight connection.

While is simple to use this method, if you are in doubt, it’s best to call your local plumber. See our article on copper versus PVC pipes.

Preparing Your Pipe

OK so you want to have a go at gluing some PVC pipes together whether it may be for a water line, sewer drain or maybe some storm water pipes, well you are going to need a few things to get started:

1. File either half round or flat, preferably half round.
2. Primer fluid.
3. Glue.
4. Clean rags.
5. Gloves.
6. Safety Glasses.

So we need to start out by ensuring that our PVC pipes and fittings are both clean, free from water and any other sort of debris ie: dirt or dust, this is where the clean rag comes into play. I always advise using gloves and safety glasses before touching any sort of chemicals and tools so now is the time to put these items on if you have not done so already.

If you have cut a piece of PVC pipe it its very crucial that this is now filed free of any burs and dags, it needs to be smooth enough that if you were to run your finger around the pipe it wouldn’t cut you and there fore leave no score marks in the glued connections when they are put together which could lead to a leak in the glued connection.

Gluing PVC Pipes together with gloves and glasses

Primer Fluid

Once it has been established that the PVC pipe and PVC fittings are clean it is then time to apply the PVC primer fluid. In most circumstances these days the manufacturer supply some type of applicator whether it be a brush, foam roller or a dobber, if not I recommend acquiring a brush yourself, it is not recommended to get the priming fluid on your skin so the gloves are very important at this stage of the PVC gluing process. You can get priming fluid in a few different colours such as red and purple and if needed clear for exposed PVC connections they all work the same.

You must apply an even coat of primer to each piece or fitting that is getting glued, so that means the female part of the joint or socket part and also the male part of the fitting, usually going around giving one liberal coating is sufficient, but a little more can never hurt with in reason of course. Once the PVC priming fluid has been applied it is time to have look applying the glue.

Once again it is a similar process to applying the PVC primer fluid and that means that both fittings must receive a generous amount of glue evenly around the fittings or pipe which ever the case.

When putting the fittings together after the glue has been applied it is crucial to note that this must happen straight after the glue has been applied as it will begin to cure rapidly, you may notice some resistance when pushing the fittings together and there fore pressure may need to be applied for up to 30 seconds (each scenario is of course different) until the chemical bonding process has taken place and the glued joint has started to go off or cure. A good indicator that you have achieved a good glued connection is that you will see that the fittings have gone all the way into the female connection the full depth of the fitting and in most cases you will have a nice bead of glue at the end of the female connection.

Now depending of the type of application your glued PVC connection is for curing times will vary and it is important to read the manufacturers literature which is usually located on the container of glue.

For more information don’t forget to watch our you tube video below for more helpful hints and tips.