3/4" gate valve issue

[reef tank 2.0]

i purchased some 3/4" pvc gate valves for my plumbing. when i place the 3/4" pvc conduit into one side of the valve, it fits nice and snug and all is well. when it comes to the other side of that gate valve, it is slightly loose and it does not hug a 3/4" pvc conduit. so it doesnt fit.

why is this happening? both the gate valves i bought do this........why are both sides of the valve different sizes? im talking a hair larger, but larger nonetheless.

any suggestions?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

PVC conduit and PVC schedule 40 are two different OD's. That is your problem. Use PVC schedule 40 pipe and not conduit.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I should have stated that. My bad. I am using schedule 40 pvc. It fits fine on one side of the valve...but not the other side. 100% schedule 40

 

[ericarenee]

I should have stated that. My bad. I am using schedule 40 pvc. It fits fine on one side of the valve...but not the other side. 100% schedule 40

when you say it fits loose are you talking about its just not super tight or there is space between the pipe and the valve... If it fits with no space but just not tight when you glue it the pieces will swell together and be fine.. just be sure to always apply glue to both pieces

 

[reef tank 2.0]

When I say loose........I put the 3/4" schedule 40 pvc pipe into the side of the valve and it just falls off. There is no friction what so ever to hold it in......we're talking like a 3 2nd inch gap......

 

[ericarenee]

When I say loose........I put the 3/4" schedule 40 pvc pipe into the side of the valve and it just falls off. There is no friction what so ever to hold it in......we're talking like a 3 2nd inch gap......

I Have seen them like that and have some ball valves that were that way. NONE of them leaked once glued. The glue actually causes the pipes to swell as it melts them together. I would still say they are going to be fine when you glue them up properly

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I thought about that too but I don't know how loose is too loose. When I place it on and wiggle it....it does wobble. Not a lot but it does wobble.

I'd hate to try it and find it leaks.....those valves arnt exactly cheap to hope it works

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I Have seen them like that and have some ball valves that were that way. NONE of them leaked once glued. The glue actually causes the pipes to swell as it melts them together. I would still say they are going to be fine when you glue them up properly

This x2

 

[reef tank 2.0]

so from the sounds of it i should just glue it and see what happens? most likely wont leak?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Exactly

 

[ca1ore]

Can you show a picture of the valve. Curious that it doesn't fit properly. All the gate valves I've used on my tank had threaded ends.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I will post a picture tomorrow but the valves I bought were slip. Bought that way intentionally......

 

[ericarenee]

so from the sounds of it i should just glue it and see what happens? most likely wont leak?

if what you describe is correct with what is in my mind . Glue it Properly and it will not leak..

By any chance is the pcv or valve think wall ....Sometimes thin wall pipe fits looser ...

 

[reef tank 2.0]

the valve and/or pvc walls were not thin walled........standard

 

[Isaacs55]

If you need some advice on how to glue a gate valve I'll post this video that I made for my 40 gallon reef tank plumbing. shows you how to easily glue slip to slip. Hope this helps. Super easy btw.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jLmRuwpXChM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Shawn O]

I suggest using pvc pipe cleaner before gluing pipes together. I've had a couple of instances of joints not holding without it. Any joint I've ever used the cleaner with has stayed together.