Polyvinyl chloride pipes, known as PVC pipes, are well-known for their sturdy and lightweight properties that make them an economical answer for sewage, plumbing, and irrigation system. Normally recognized by their white or cream tone, PVC pipes are associated with utilizing couplings and dissolvable concrete that softens the surface layer of the lines, holding the material together.
PVC pipes became very popular in the past decade. Because of its solid, lightweight development, it's a reasonable and supportable choice for property holders and project workers to work with. They are generally regularly utilized as channel funneling, known for their usability and reasonableness.
But even those pipes can be damaged and need replacement or repair over time. For most PVC harms, fixes can be made to the current pipe to monitor the spilling. Nonetheless, if the harm is too broad, the pipe might be supplanted completely. To assist you with exploring the maintenance or substitution of your PVC pipes, we have gathered five different ways you can fix or supplant your pipe.
How to Repair PVC Pipes
Here are 5 ways to repair your damaged PVC pipes:
- Fixing the leak on the P trap
Before learning how to fix a P trap, be sure to know what it is exactly. When you look in the cabinets under your sink, you will notice that everything is somehow curved. That curved, U-shaped pipe goes down from the bottom of your sink. It may look like a U, but when you tilt your head or turn your pipe on its end, you will figure out that it is actually the P. So, that is why it is called a P trap.
If you cannot see the leak immediately, plug off the sink drain and fill it with water. Then you should remove the sink stopper and look at the connection as it drains. You will easily spot the faulty one. The next thing to check is how the P trap is installed. If you see it is good, you need to check the status of connections. If you have to deal with the loose connection, you can fix it pretty easily. Just tighten it with your bare hands, or with slip-joint pliers. Now, your problem is fixed!
- Using silicone and rubber repair tape
If you are dealing with a minor leak, silicone and rubber repair tape is the best solution for you. You get it in a roll, so can easily be wrapped directly around your PVC pipe. Unlike the other tapes, silicone and rubber repair tape is designed to stick to itself, not to the other objects. That helps you to get the incredibly tight compression that you need to fix leaks and cracks of your PVC pipe. [1]
Before applying, be sure to wash the damaged area of your PVC pipe and let it dry completely. When it is dried, carefully wrap the tape around the pipe. Be careful to ensure the compression on the pipe is good, it has to be airtight. Make sure to tight it for maximum hold.
- Secure the leak with hose clamps and rubber tape
This method is the best for temporary fixes of small leaks. Just like the rubber and silicone repair tape, hose clamps and rubber tape also use compression on fixing the problem. Take the rubber tape, wrap it around the leaking spot, separate the hose clamps and place them around the damaged area. Tight it very well to stop or slow the leak from the pipe. As we said, this is just a temporary fix, because the rubber tape will lose its effectiveness as the leak grows.
This is a great, fast method of repairing your PVC pipes because it will stop the leak for a while and you will have time to gather materials for a more permanent solution.
- Use Epoxy for PVC pipes
Epoxy is putty or sticky liquid and it is one of the most well-known solutions for repairing PVC pipes leaks and pipes joints. Before applying epoxy, be sure to clean well and dry the damaged area, ensuring the water cannot reach it. If there is any wetness on the damaged area, the epoxy won’t set correctly.
When the spot is dry, apply epoxy and wait at least 10 minutes. When it is ready, turn on the water to see if the leak is fixed properly. Before using the putty or liquid epoxy, be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions first. [2]
- Cover the leak with Fiberglass resin tape or cloth
There are two types of Fiberglass wrap solutions. The first one – resin tape is the perfect temporary solution for your leaking PVC pipes. This tape works by using a water-activated resin that is thickened around the pipe to slow the leak. It can repair the leak, but as we said, just for some time, it is not a permanent solution. Before applying the tape, clean the damaged area using a damp cloth. While the pipe is still wet, take the fiberglass tape and wrap it around the leaking spot and let it resin for around 15 minutes.
Fiberglass resin cloth is the second fiberglass wrap solution. It can be a more permanent method for repairing your PVC pipes. So as with resin tape, before applying fiberglass cloth you should clean the damaged area and then lightly sand the surface. That is how you will create a more adhesive surface for this cloth. Now you can place the fiberglass resin cloth over the spot. In the end, you have to shine UV light directly onto the pipe, and the curing process begins. You have to wait for around 15 minutes before testing your repair. Even though this can be a more permanent solution, it is still a temporary repair.
When you deal with leaking PVC pipes, there are several methods you can use to repair them. But even with all those temporary and permanent ways you can use, it is still possible that you will need to replace the piece of your PVC pipe.
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