PVC fitting sealant

[David Abbott]

Living in Panama central america doesn't give a lot of choices for PVC fitting sealants!!! So a friend said why don't I use silicone instead, with lots of unions. Plumbers tape is not an option for me. Can someone change my mind????

 

[symon_say]

Pvc glue, you should be able to find it in any hardware store.

 

[Saltyreef]

Any pvc glue and primer that is approved for potable water applications should suffice. Just wait the proper length of time before flowing water through it. Sometimes its only an hour or so before its cured enough. I use Christys red hot blue glue fast setting pvc cement.

 

[David Abbott]

There is a big difference between PVC cement and PVC sealant. I was thinking about silicone because it doesn't get hard.

 

[Saltyreef]

I'm trying to understand what you are trying to achieve by using silicone sealant to join pvc pipe. Any local hardware store is going to have proper pvc cement and just put the unions where you wany to remove any section of pipe.
Pvc cement is the proper method to join pvc pipe. It chemically bonds the two. Essentially melting them together.....thats what you want for a permanent water tight seal with little chance of failure down the road.

 

[Bryknicks]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish? If you are trying to put plumbing (PVC) together with silicone I would suggest not doing so. Silicone is not rated to have pressures against it. PVC cement is not actually a glue, it fuses the two pieces of PVC together (think of them melting together) in an almost unbreakable bond that can withstand pressures.

 

[homer1475]

What exactly are you trying to do? Never heard of PVC sealant? Pipe sealant yes, but that encompasses any type of pipe not just PVC.

 

[Billdogg]

For threaded fittings, use Oatey's PTFE thread sealant or a similar brand. It does not harden and is designed specifically for threaded PVC. If it is slip fittings, the only correct answer is PVC solvent (and cleaner if you want, but I never bother)

 

[Reefer Reboot]

If you can't get true PVC glue due to your location then yes you can get away with using silicone. I have always used aquarium safe silicone and have never had a leak. But just to be on the safe side, always support your plumbing and don't hang anything heavy off of it, especially on a downward facing slip fit.

 

[David Abbott]

Sorry, guess I was not asking my question correctly. I meant for threaded fittings

 

[homer1475]

Ok for threaded PVC I would not use silicone as it will make it very hard to unscrew(it can be done, but it's very tough).

I would look for a thread sealant compound designed for potable water and PVC, or plumbers tape, but you have said that is out of the question.

 

[Saltyreef]

Sorry, guess I was not asking my question correctly. I meant for threaded fittings

In thay case... Oatey Great White is what you want. Brush application ptfe for threaded pipe if tape isnt an option.

 

[David Abbott]

In thay case... Oatey Great White is what you want. Brush application ptfe for threaded pipe if tape isnt an option.

Thanks for the info man. It will take probably 3 weeks to get it from the states but well worth the wait. After researching "Teflon Tape" found that the tape expands the female connection when coupled with a male fitting, causeing a potential leak down the road

 

[homer1475]

Thanks for the info man. It will take probably 3 weeks to get it from the states but well worth the wait. After researching "Teflon Tape" found that the tape expands the female connection when coupled with a male fitting, causeing a potential leak down the road

Yes you read correctly and why we do not recommend tape on PVC fittings, and why PTFE paste is whats recommended.

 

[mfinn]

Sorry, guess I was not asking my question correctly. I meant for threaded fittings

Not sure if you can find this in Panama, ( maybe online shipped to Panama ) but this is recommended for pvc threaded fittings.

 

[Saltyreef]

Oh wow, my brain read central florida....how did i miss panama central america lol.
Good luck! I guess silicone is what youll use. Ge type 1 or something without mold inhibitors will work. Cant speak for long term.

 

[PacsAdmin77]

Hi All,

This is all great info! What about using Teflon tape with threaded barbed fittings? According to BRS, they recommend I use standard plumber’s tape for them.

 

[Bryknicks]

Hi All,

This is all great info! What about using Teflon tape with threaded barbed fittings? According to BRS, they recommend I use standard plumber’s tape for them.

That's what I use for my normal threaded connections in my tank. If there is ever any doubt PTFE paste is the way to go. Personally I do not know how "safe" it is for a reef, that would be up to the more knowledgeable on here. But I have only used it on my water heater and other residential plumbing connections with great success.

 

[mfinn]

Hi All,

This is all great info! What about using Teflon tape with threaded barbed fittings? According to BRS, they recommend I use standard plumber’s tape for them.

I would still use a paste. The threaded hose barb is still threaded on to a pvc fitting.