Plumbing help

[kbsharp]

Good Afternoon Everyone,

This site has been pretty helpful so far and I would like to know if you could give me some simple advice on this as i'm no pro.

I would like to attach my drain fitting to my bulkhead on the tank, the smooth part is the only end that fits in there so i presume its that end. So the threaded part will attach to the drain pipe and a plastic clamp will secure it.Back to the smooth part of the drain fitting, It doesn't fit tightly in there is that normal? and i've seen like this tin with like glue stuff on a cotton ball looking thing that they apply to the fitting then stick it in the bulkhead.

Can anyone tell me what I need to buy and how to apply it ?

Gathering a list of stuff i need before i head to the hardware store

 

[Ron Reefman]

I assume you are talking about gluing PVC parts together and the,"...i've seen like this tin with like glue stuff on a cotton ball looking thing that they apply to the fitting..." is PVC cement. If you have no experience with doing PVC assembly, I'd suggest you find somebody with some experience to help you out. This is not something you want to mess up as a mistake will make all the parts unusable and will need to be replaced.

 

[kbsharp]

I assume you are talking about gluing PVC parts together and the,"...i've seen like this tin with like glue stuff on a cotton ball looking thing that they apply to the fitting..." is PVC cement. If you have no experience with doing PVC assembly, I'd suggest you find somebody with some experience to help you out. This is not something you want to mess up as a mistake will make all the parts unusable and will need to be replaced.

Thank you Ron, yes i mean the PVC part using PVC cement. I just thought i'd get some advice because i would like to do it myself, just trying to find a good youtube video maybe, I see what you mean it can mess up alot so that's why i'd like some advice or links so i can do my research and hopefully do it.

Good Luck to me i guess!!

 

[DonTavo27]

Hi, you’re heading in the right direction as far as how the drain pipe should be connected. However, that elbow isn’t going to work for you. I suggest you buy a 5-10 length of PVC pipe that fits in that bulk head, my guess is 1”, and buy a couple of elbows, and 45’s. I would suggest getting a little Tin can of the clear pvc cement, and also some purple primer. Apply the purple primer first inside the end of each fitting , and outside the end of each piece of pipe length you’re using, let it dry, then apply glue over the end of each pipe length, and inside the fittings as well. I suggest you also get some PVC pipe cutters, and a small Stanley fat max measuring tape, like the 6’. You’ll have to let the glue cure for at least 24 hours before running water Through it.

 

[link81]

does the elbow wobble in the bulkhead at all? or is it a fairly snug fit?

 

[Ron Reefman]

If you haven't done any PVC assembly and want to do it yourself, I'd suggest getting a piece of PVC pipe (Home Depot sells 2' lengths cheap) and a few fittings and some glue. Practice with them. There are several kinds of PVC cement. I use clear so being a bit sloppy doesn't make as much of a showy mess out of the pipe. It's not hard to do... but then I did a lot of plumbing in a previous life (before I retired). There should be some good Youtube videos. And consider taking the parts into HD or Lowes or Ace and ask for help (just get a salesperson with real experience).

Good luck.

 

[DonTavo27]

And don’t forget some disposable gloves and a rag to clean the excess glue off the already glued pieces. here’s an example of my return line, in clear pvc cement

 

[kbsharp]

does the elbow wobble in the bulkhead at all? or is it a fairly snug fit?

Yes it does wobble a little

 

[kbsharp]

Yes it does wobble a little

nt sure if you can view that

 

[link81]

then it might be the wrong size. it should be a fairly snug fit in order to glue properly.
might want to disassemble the bulkhead and take it to lowes (my local HD has a crappy pvc selection) and find the proper pipe size. Most likely 3/4 or 1"

 

[kbsharp]

Hi, you’re heading in the right direction as far as how the drain pipe should be connected. However, that elbow isn’t going to work for you. I suggest you buy a 5-10 length of PVC pipe that fits in that bulk head, my guess is 1”, and buy a couple of elbows, and 45’s. I would suggest getting a little Tin can of the clear pvc cement, and also some purple primer. Apply the purple primer first inside the end of each fitting , and outside the end of each piece of pipe length you’re using, let it dry, then apply glue over the end of each pipe length, and inside the fittings as well. I suggest you also get some PVC pipe cutters, and a small Stanley fat max measuring tape, like the 6’. You’ll have to let the glue cure for at least 24 hours before running water Through it.

I will add these to my shopping list thank you and that setup looks really clean !! nice one

 

[WVNed]

That doesnt fit that bulkhead.

 

[kbsharp]

then it might be the wrong size. it should be a fairly snug fit in order to glue properly.
might want to disassemble the bulkhead and take it to lowes (my local HD has a crappy pvc selection) and find the proper pipe size. Most likely 3/4 or 1"

hmm ok that sucks i bought this second hand from someone that had it setup before, strange why it doesn't fit. Can i just measure it or should i buy a 3/4 and 1" and try them ?

 

[kbsharp]

That doesnt fit that bulkhead.

I don't know why that was with the setup up then ... I guess thats what you get for second hand lol

 

[link81]

you can, but whatever fittings you get will need to be the same size as the bulkhead.
based on your picture i'm thinking that it's 1".
so i would get come 1" fittings, and a piece of 1" pipe. I also highly recommend a union. Ihey make it WAY easier to take apart when/if you need to clean out the pipe or move it for whatever reason.

 

[Silent]

You need to look at the end of the pvc elbow and if it states it is 3/4 then you need to get 1 inch pipe. Basically go one size up for the pipe. The pipe fits in between the bulkhead and the elbow. You will need a reducer if you want to use that elbow.

 

[kbsharp]

You need to look at the end of the pvc elbow and if it states it is 3/4 then you need to get 1 inch pipe. Basically go one size up for the pipe. The pipe fits in between the bulkhead and the elbow. You will need a reducer if you want to use that elbow.

I'm thinking it is a 1" pipe. Ill bring my PVC elbow with

 

[kbsharp]

you can, but whatever fittings you get will need to be the same size as the bulkhead.
based on your picture i'm thinking that it's 1".
so i would get come 1" fittings, and a piece of 1" pipe. I also highly recommend a union. Ihey make it WAY easier to take apart when/if you need to clean out the pipe or move it for whatever reason.

Yes ,Ill try that some great ideas getting thrown around here. So I should get a PVC pipe that fits in it and replace it with the drain hose that I'm currently using?

 

[link81]

that's totally up to you.
many people use both.
they will have plastic nipples for hose you can buy,
in that case i would get s short piece of pipe, cut it about 2" long. glue one end into your bulkhead, glue the other end to a 90 degree socket/fnpt elbow. then get a plastic nipple that will screw into the elbow that is the same size as your hose.

here's a quick primer on fittings and what not.

PVC Fittings Guide

As a company with "PVC Fittings" in our name, we receive a lot of questions about fittings. These questions often have to do with pipe fittings sizes and dimensions, which makes sense because those topics can be confusing! Other questions are about the fittings themselves and what they are meant...

www.pvcfittingsonline.com

 

[WVNed]

In this pic the other connection has another piece that fits between the elbow and bulkhead.
Was that together when you got it or did you put it together. Is the bulkhead threaded by any chance?