pvc cement

dtownkennel · Oct 19, 2011

Im about to start on my plumbing and was wondering if normal pvc cement at homedepot or lowes will work on flexible pvc or do I have to get the flexible pvc cement?

Troylee · Oct 20, 2011

If your talking about spaflex the white flexible PVC yes it will work fine with regular cement... I personally use Christies red hot and that's it... No primers or anything for all my plumbing jobs...hth

dtownkennel · Oct 20, 2011

Thanks!!! why no primers?

Troylee · Oct 20, 2011

Don't need it... Our systems are not pressure rated at all.. Drain zero pressure, return what maybe 2 or 3 psi... It's not like a closed system you shut off with a pressure valve in your house where there is 80 psi or so... It's a waiste IMHO..

Reef UP · Oct 20, 2011

Reef Breeders · Oct 21, 2011

I don't think so, primer is absolutely neccessary, drain pipe or not. If you are using it without primer, the fitting can sometimes pop right out. If you plumb a drain pipe in a house with no primer, it will fall right out and make an evil mess. Ive been able to pull pipes right out of the fitting when they were put in place a few years ago by an unqualified plumber, no primer, just the glue. A primer/glue kit at HD is 7 bucks, that will do it. Also, you can get clear primer if you know you will drip it. I personally wrap the pipe in masking tape before applying primer, but only if the fitting can be seen.

harlequinreefer · Oct 21, 2011

Primer does help to clean pipe & fitting especially if you go to a plumbing shop that keeps their pipe outside.

Bubbabobobbrain · Oct 21, 2011

I always use the primer because it cleans all the gunk off of the pipe. If you dont prime the pipes before you glue them and there is a little grease or some sort of residue there you run the risk of the glue not bonding to the pipes. I would absolutely never skip the primer when gluing pipes together. Just my opinion though, I also know people that dont use the primer and havent had any problems. But I wouldnt risk it.

five O · Oct 22, 2011

I'm with Lee, No primer!! I have been using it for years and have never had a pipe just fall or pop out.

DPRILL · Oct 22, 2011

the primer makes a physical bond, the cement a chemical bond. I know our systems aren't high pressure, but I wouldn't want to take the chance on a fitting coming loose, and 2 bonds are better then one..

Also for spaflex I use the cement meant for it, in my case I use Weld-On 795.. Oatley also makes a flex-pvc cement. I figure they make one, they must want us to use them

Darin

Troylee · Oct 22, 2011

Yeah if you have problems with joints failing without primer your not doing it right... You need to make sure the pipes push all the way in "dry fit" before gluing... If there only in like 1/2" or so sure they will fail... PVC cement softens the pipe and as it drys the pipe expands it's impossible to pull apart a properly glued joint...