Plumbing ?'s

NewSchool04

NewSchool04

New member
I'll be doing some plumbing this weekend and wanted to make sure I have everything straight. I have some flex PVC that I got at Savko and I just found out that I need to use flex PVC cement. Is that correct and is it tough to find?
Also I'll be cementing regular schedule 40 PVC and I've heard of many different ways to do this. One is by using a cleaning solution, then a priming solution and then the glueing cement. Then I've heard just use the normal glueing cement and that would be fine. Any advice on this before I move forward?
 
You don't need to use the special flex cement but it is better IMO. Menards sells it.

For regular PVC you should use the primer then the cement.
The primer temporarily softens the pipe surface and makes for a better bond.
For a neater job, buy the clear, rather than the purple, primer.
This can also be found at Menards.
 
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always use the primer its also a cleaner and the real trick with pvc to make sure you got a good bond that will never leak is to make sure you apply to both pieces of pipe and always twist the pipe a quater turn you will never get a leak guaranteed.and the best glue for the marine enviroment is the wet/dry application stuff its the blue one and menards has it and it will work great on both the rigid and flex
 
Allright, that seems straight enough!
I've also heard that you can heat the flex PVC to straighten it out, is this a bad idea? 5 minutes at 200 degrees in the stove?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6968841#post6968841 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by johj26
always twist the pipe a quater turn you will never get a leak guaranteed
Click to expand...

LMAO!!!!!

This, I can assure you, is a bogus "guarantee" -- although it is absolutely the correct way to do it.

On the spa-flex, you should use the cleaner not the primer, and then use either Flex-PVC cement or Rain-or-Shine. Regular cement not recommended. HTH
 
ostrow is right......never use regular cement w/ spa....clean and use blue glue(rain or Shine)...it is thicker and will allow for flexing with out cracking....regular glue is for solid joints only....
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6970114#post6970114 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NewSchool04
Menards has the blue glue?
What about heating the pipe to straighten it out?
Click to expand...

You cannot get the larger diameters to really straighten out, but you can use heat lamps, etc to take out some of the coiling.
IME you are better to use the flex for curves or to allow for slight misalignments in hooking up equipment, but use regular pvc coupled to the flex for straight runs.
 
hot water will allow you to get it to straighten out and the wet/dry glue is the blue one and it will work great on the flex and if you do the pvc correctly it never leaks a nice clean cut is also necessary.the pvc cutters are the best and easiest to achieve that there about 20 25 bucks for a decent one.general tools makes a nice one that isnt to expensive.hey ostrow ive made a few hundred pvc connections in my life and never had any leak
 
I used the flex pvc cement when I did my plumbing for the 120g with the oceans motions. Worked great and I had no leaks. Well I did have 1 tiny leak but that was on the intake elbow for the closed loop. Not any of the flex or other pvc though. I used the purple primer myself and it worked fine. The clear does give a cleaner look. If you apply enough cement on both ends to glue, and turn it a quarter turn as mentioned, you should not have any leaks. I also hold the fittings together for 10 seconds or so to make sure the bond is there. Don't be scared to use a little extra glue. It won't hurt anything. It will help with any potential leaks that you might have.

Todd
 
Todd's right, but don't use too much, because then when you release the pressure you can actually lose the seal altogether. Had that happen once.

All I'm saying johj26 is, not just my story but many others out there make clear that you can't "guarantee" anything about this. Rod can testify, I had my system running for 5+ weeks when a leak suddenly sprang from a spot. My luck was particularly bad, but I had several connections on both regular and flex pvc that sprung leaks, and I can assure you that I used quality cutters, the right cleaners and primers and the right glues, and still some leaks.

Stuff can happen.

That said, follow the instructions here and you most definitely minimize your risks!
 
thank you everyone. just got back from Menards and they didn't have the 3/4 90 street Elbow. Not one person there to help me out and the one that did stop couldn't spell PVC.

I have a T*T 3/4 bulkhead for my return. My plan was to get a 3/4 slip and male thread adaptor (to go into the bulkhead) connected to a 3/4 90 street elbow, then to my 3/4 flex PVC. Very frustrated that I can't find what I need.
 
try calling grainger if the store you call doesnt have it in stock they can tell you the closest store with it in stock
 
FWIW, I have used spa flex for quite a few years, and I didnt even know there was a special cememt for the stuff until the past year or so.. The regular multi pourpose glue/cement has held up great for many years with no leaks.

I have occaisionally plumbed with out primer, but its not really a good idea. Like Highlander said, It softens teh PVC and it also starts the proper chemical reaction that will help them bond.

Lows is by far teh best for plumbing supplies (atleast in my neighborhgood.
 
Looks like I'll be heading to your local Lowes after I see you tomorrow Rod. I'm done with all the planning and ordering, I'm ready to get this thing done!
 
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