Primer and cement weld the parts together. Sharpie lines assure that the pieces end up in the right place
Joining PVC pipe is best done using a primer. Before opening the primer or cement cans, though...
Clean, deburr, and dry fit the PVC parts.
- Using a utility knife, carefully cut off the frayed edges of both the inside and outside on the pipe ends. Leaving these burrs in place will snag waste as it tries to flush smoothly through the pipes.
- Next, dry fit the parts. Assemble the pieces as you want them to be when completed.
- Mark across each joint with a Sharpie so that alignment will be goof-proof after the cement has been spread.
Many plumbers tape the primer and cement cans together because you never need one without the other. It's also harder to knock them over. The primer is generally purple, and the cement is typically white or clear, though other colors (indicating different properties) exist.
The primer actually 'melts' the surface of the PVC allowing the cement to weld the parts together.
How to cement the PVC parts together:
- Apply a thin layer of primer to both the fitting and the pipe.
- Spread the cement over the primer.
- Connect the parts and twist to spread the cement. Twist so that the previously-marked sharpie lines realign.
- Hold the parts together until dry, usually about 15 seconds.
- Move on to the next joint.
—Next Step Ministries is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to helping students grow closer to Christ through challenging construction projects. This video series is meant to help train those who are interested in learning more about construction and using those skills to serve alongside a community in need.