by Freddy Tay

Created on: July 19, 2009

This article deals strictly with PVC pipes only. Here are some suggestions to repairing your PVC pipes. I will add more methods and expand this article with pipe repair with pipes made from other materials.

Before you start repairing, you will need to saw off the broken section of the pipe. The ends of the pipe at the break must be cut squarely. File the jagged edges from the sawing to increase the contact area of the repair devices and the pipe. This maximises the strength of the repair.

The following are two methods to repairing the pipe.

1. Compression Coupling

2. Coupling

Compression Coupling

When the break is short, the body will be able to cover the length needed, however, long breaks will require a spare pipe to couple the ends. The length of the spare pipe will be the difference of the gap and anywhere less than the length of the body of the compression coupling.

Short Break: Slot the body of the compression coupling, nut and rubber seal into one end, followed by a seal and a nut with the other end. Make sure the body of the compression coupling cover all the gap, then screw and tighten both nuts to the body.

Number of sets of compression couplings: 1

Long Break: Starting with one end of the broken pipe, slot the body of the compression coupling, nut and rubber seal into one end, followed by a seal and a nut with the other end. Make sure the body of the compression coupling cover all the gap, then screw and tighten both nuts to the body. Repeat the steps above on the other end of the broken pipe. The spare pipe will have to be generally aligned to the center of the gap.

Number of sets of compression couplings: 2

Number of spare pipes: 1

Coupling

This method requires the least material. Pipes with larger diameters will be easier for slotting, however, the costs of labor will offset the economical advantage of this method when dealing with pipes on a bigger scale. You will need PVC cement, conventional couplings and cleaner or primer. The purpose of a cleaner/primer is to remove contaminants on the pipe surface to optimize cement bonding.

Slot a coupling with one end of the pipe, coating PVC cement on their contact surfaces. Do the same with the other. Use a spare pipe, length barely enough to cover the size of the gap. Apply PVC cement on the contact surfaces of one end of the spare pipe and a coupling. Slot the coupling to the end of the spare pipe. Now lift the other end of the spare pipe and apply PVC cement on it. With some force, the other end of the spare pipe will be slotted to the other coupling to complete the repair. Allow cement to cure.

Number of couplings: 2

Number of spare pipes: 1

The choice of methods will be entirely at the repairer's discretion and is to be chosen at the correct situations.

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