Cementing Plastic Pipe

   Not quite child's play, but close, fitting plastic pipe is a snap. Whether it's PVC supply lines for sprinklers or ABS for drains, plastic is often compared to Tinkertoys. It's just about that simple.
   The pipe is pretty flexible, so it can accommodate a bit of uneven routing. The joints, sealed with cement, are quick and sure, like model airplane assembly.
















Step By Step: Cementing Plastic Pipe

   To cement-weld plastic pipe:

   1. Cut pipe with a hacksaw or plastic pipe cutter. Use a sharp knife to remove burrs from the cut end of the pipe.

   2. Because the glue hardens quickly, first assemble the joint without cement. Push the fitting all the way onto the pipe end, align it the way you want it to look when finished and mark both pieces with a felt-tip pen. Disassemble the joint.

   3. Apply PVC primer to both the pipe and fitting. This helps the cement bond to the PVC. Then apply solvent-cement to both the pipe end and the inside of the fitting. Put a little more onto the pipe than into the fitting, but at neither location so much that it covers the opening or is thick enough to drip. Reassemble the joint immediately and give the fitting a quarter-turn as you push it on. Align the pen marks. A slender bead of cement should appear all around the outside of the fitting; wipe away excess. Hold the joint together for half a minute.

   4. Do not flush water through the pipe or pressurize it for an hour.