Basic Guidelines for Connecting PVC Pipes

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Basic Guidelines for Connecting PVC Pipes
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Types of PVC Connections

• There are two basic types of PVC connections.
  They are
• Gasketed connections which are comprised of
  rubber gasketed bell (female) connectors that a
  non-gasketed (male) end slides into to form a
  water tight connection.
• Glued (solvent weld) connections made up of
  female bell end which a forms a connection with a
  smooth male and and is sealed water tight with
  the use of a solvent weld (primer) combined with
  a glue material to fill any gaps.

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Joining Gasketed Pipe

• The gasket formed union is very easy to make. The
  simple steps include
• Make sure both male and female pipe parts are
  clean.
• Lubricate the male pipe end with irrigation
  gasket lubricant.
• Push male end of pipe into bell joint until
  reference mark is hidden.

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Advantages of Gasketed Pipe

• Pipes can be pressurized and used immediately.
• Expansion and contraction will not destroy
  joints.
• Bell end of joint is extra thick and very
  resistant to cracking.

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Solvent Weld Connections

• Solvent welding requires more patience and skill
  to perform than joining gasketed pipe.

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Solvent Weld Connections

• To make consistently good joints, the following
  points should be clearly understood.
• 1. The joining surfaces must be softened and made
  semifluid.
• 2. Sufficient cement must be applied to fill gap
  between pipe and fitting.
• 3. Assembly of pipe and fittings must be made
  while the surfaces are still wet and cement is
  still fluid.

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Solvent Weld Connections

• 4. Joint strength develops as the cement dries.
  In the tight part of the joint the surfaces will
  tend to fuse together in the loose part, the
  cement will bond to both surfaces.

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Solvent Weld Connections

• A suitable primer will usually penetrate and
  soften the surfaces more quickly than cement
  alone.
• In cold weather more time and additional
  applications may be required.
• (From http//www.ipscorp.com/wo_html/wo_pdfs/IPS_
  How_To_Guide.pdf. Retrieved 3/29/05.)

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Solvent Weld Connections

• The basic procedure for solvent welding is
• Cut pipe at a 90 degree angle to length.
• http//www.plumbingwarehouse.com/pvccutters.html
• http//www.deanbennett.com/internal-pipe-cutters.h
  tm
• Bevel the pipe end slightly using a file.
• Clean pipe surfaces to be joined with a clean dry
  rag.
• Check to make sure male pipe end will go into
  female socket end at least 1/3- ¾ of the fitting.

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Solvent Weld Connections

• Apply primer to dissolve the female pipe end,
  followed by applying primer to dissolve the male
  pipe end.
• Use the right applicator for the size of pipe or
  fittings being joined. The applicator size should
  be equal to 1/2 the pipe diameter.

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Solvent Weld Connections

• Make one more light application of primer to the
  female end and immediately apply a liberal amount
  of glue (cement) to the male end.
• Apply a light coat of cement inside of the female
  socket.
• A heavier layer of cement can be applied to allow
  more working time.
• Quickly push the male end into the socket until
  it bottoms out.
• Turn the male end one quarter turn and hold the
  union firmly together for 30 seconds- one minute.

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Solvent Weld Connections

• Wipe off any cement left on the outside of the
  fitting.
• Do not disturb or pressurize the joint until it
  has had adequate time to set up.
• NOTE large pipes require heavy bodied cement!(1)

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After assembly, a joint should have a ring or
bead of cement completely around the juncture of
the pipe and fitting
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References

• 1) Edward S. Pira. A Guide to Golf Course
  Irrigation Design and Drainage. Chelsea, MI
  Sleeping Bear Press, 1997.
• 2) http//www.irrigationtutorials.com/measure3.htm
  
• 3) Landscape Irrigation Design Manual. Rainbird
  Sprinkler Manufacturing Corporation,1998.