Leaky PVC pipes

[cockroach]

So I connected all the PVC piping to my sump, pump and tank and filled the beaut up. Horror of horrors, I had three places that were leaking. The leaks are at the joints of the valve ( which leaks what I am guessing is about three quarters to a gallon a day ) and two minor leaks ( probably about 200-250ml a day ).

Now for the questions. I used PVC cement on all the joints but the three leaky joints were the last to go in ( and a tight squeeze to get in ) so I guess they did not get the right amount of sealant in the right place. So if i want to reseal these leaks, could I used more PVC cement and build up a good couple of layers around the join or should I use silicone instead?

I am really hoping I can use the pvc cement as I am trying to keep the setup as "crisp and clean" as I possibly can.

Thanks for any replies.
Roach

 

[Bawb2u]

So I connected all the PVC piping to my sump, pump and tank and filled the beaut up. Horror of horrors, I had three places that were leaking. The leaks are at the joints of the valve ( which leaks what I am guessing is about three quarters to a gallon a day ) and two minor leaks ( probably about 200-250ml a day ).

Now for the questions. I used PVC cement on all the joints but the three leaky joints were the last to go in ( and a tight squeeze to get in ) so I guess they did not get the right amount of sealant in the right place. So if i want to reseal these leaks, could I used more PVC cement and build up a good couple of layers around the join or should I use silicone instead?

I am really hoping I can use the pvc cement as I am trying to keep the setup as "crisp and clean" as I possibly can.

Thanks for any replies.
Roach

I had the same problem: What I did was first, I got a small can of compressed air, like the kind made to blow dust off of camera lenses. Then, I had to make sure there was no water sitting in the area I needed to cement, which meant shutting down water going to the pipes and draining the pipes. Then I used the compressed air to blow isopropyl alchohol into the area to dry up any water droplets in the joint to be glued. Then I put some pvc cement around the joint and used the air to blow the wet glue into the joints.

That might be more work than you want to do but I don't trust silicon on pvc, so I want that route. I'm sort of a neat freak about my plumbing too and I figured since it was going to be a tough job, I'd rather do it once and never have to worry about it again.

 

[cockroach]

I have the air cans that are used to clean out pc keyboards and I am pretty sure it has the alcohol in it as I can smell it when I spray. So guess I will be using that this evening.

Should i build up a few layers on the outside of the joint as well or will a little dab all around be fine.

Thanks for the speedy reply.

 

[mithesaint]

Personally, I'd tear it down, and redo it. That way you're not messing around multiple times trying to fix a leak. Clean the PVC, prime the PVC, put your glue on the PVC, seat the join, twist it around really quick to make sure there is glue on all parts of the joint, and line it up before it sets.

The other way might work, but it makes me question the rest of your joints. Some of those may be getting ready to leak, and you'll be chasing leaks forever. Start over. PVC is cheap.

 

[srawding]

When you put the pipe together you are supposed to make a slight twist with the pipe. Sometime it's hard to do but most people don't do that when connecting pvc.
If it's slight leak use the keyboard spray them prime and glue if it is more then a drip
you'll have to cut it and redo because of pressure. Have fixed many many of these problems.

 

[RBE17]

I've had problems in the past gluing pvc. I learned some tricks over the summer watching our pool guy redo some plumbing.

1) Clean the pvc, but do not sand the pipe or fittings. I had read to sand and that is a no-no.
2) Prime the pipe and fittings
3) Apply glue liberally
4) Continue to twist the fittings back and forth until they won't move anymore

I did some PVC gluing using these techinques and have not had any problems since.

Good luck.

 

[sabotage]

Mos Def a redo..make sure you get pressured pvc and clean it, Prime it and then Glue it..

 

[Goliyth]

aye .. Redo it .. either spending time and time again or just the once for a redo ... use the prime and glue .. and MAKE SURE that you rotate the fittings and pipe at least 1/4 turn when trying to put them together ... the glue isn't exactly a glue, it fuses the two surfaces together causing the seal.

 

[ITHURTZ]

I would redo it, pvc is cheap. Once a leak there will always be a leak down the line. With pool plumping repairs we would use the glue as a extra sealent around the outside but it never held forever.

Prime it, then glue it while the primer is still wet. Stick the pipe in and twist and hold for 10seconds.

 

[RBE17]

I would redo it, pvc is cheap. Once a leak there will always be a leak down the line. With pool plumping repairs we would use the glue as a extra sealent around the outside but it never held forever.

Prime it, then glue it while the primer is still wet. Stick the pipe in and twist and hold for 10seconds.

Why glue while the primer is wet? Do they reacte better? Is it a stronger bond?