When gluing PVC pipe together, dry assemble the pieces first to make sure they align right, then draw matching lines on both the pipe and fitting at each joint with an indelible marker.

Disassemble the pipes and fitting, apply glue to each joint, and align the marks when reassembling for a perfect fit.

If you discover that one of the pieces of pipe isn’t long enough after it’s glued together, cut the pipe in half, and glue the two pieces back together with a coupling to make the pipe longer.

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Joe Truini: PVC pipe has been a real boon to do-it-yourself plumbing projects, because the pipe is easy to cut and to assemble.

Danny Lipford: What we’re using it for today is to add a new run to our central vac system to another part of the house.

Joe Truini: The two most important things to remember when working with PVC pipe is, first, always dry assemble the parts before you glue them together. And make sure that the parts are aligned, so the pipe goes exactly where it needs to.

Danny Lipford: Now this is very important, because the glue that you use to put the PVC pipe and fitting together dries almost instantly, so you don’t have a whole lot of time to work with.

Joe Truini: That’s right. And so the key to remember is after you dry assemble the parts, just take a marker and make a line on the fitting itself and the pipe section. And this way when you go back to reassemble it, all you have to do is line up the two marks, and you know the pipe is properly aligned.

Danny Lipford: And if in the event that you have a little problem with it, and you don’t get it quite right, you can still cut the pipe very easily, put a little coupling in here to make that final adjustment.


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avatar for Joe Truini

Joe Truini

Radio Show Co-Host

Joe Truini is a contractor, author, and the host of “Simple Solutions” on Today’s Homeowner TV and the weekly Today’s Homeowner radio show. He has worked on both large commercial projects and residential remodeling, and has written for national publications such as This Old House and Popular Mechanics. He has also written eight books, including three best-selling shed-building books. Joe lives in Connecticut with his family and enjoys hiking, traveling, and baseball in his spare time.

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