Ceramic and metal pipes are losing their popularity; they have been replaced by plastic products, which stand out for their durability and lightness. But a long service life can only be ensured if their installation was carried out correctly and reliable adhesive for PVC pipes was used. More information about which pipe adhesives are best to choose will be discussed below.

Adhesive for PVC pipes

To glue these products together in order to create reliably sealed joints, special glue for plastic pipes is used. “Cold welding” makes it possible to build a water supply as quickly as possible. But the process has its own characteristics.

“Cold welding” makes it possible to build a water supply as quickly as possible.

Advantages of adhesive pipe joints

Plastic pipes can be welded, glued and joined mechanically. The most popular method is welding. But it requires expensive equipment and can only be performed by professionals. Gluing can help achieve the same quality result, sometimes the seams are even stronger.

True, most adhesives for sewer pipes are effective for cold water supply; exposure to high temperatures can damage their integrity.

They have a number of positive properties:

• The risk of leaks is reduced. The seams are completely sealed and can only be negatively affected by exposure to hot temperatures and pressure;
• Easy to use, installation can be done by hand, no additional steps are required;
• It is not difficult to glue plumbing pipes with an adhesive composition, and this saves money on the services of professionals, and you also do not need to buy a welding machine;
• Universal use, one solution can be used to create sewerage and water supply systems.

Gluing can help achieve the same quality result, sometimes the seams are even stronger.

Types of Adhesive Fittings

In the adhesive connection of pipelines made of PVC pipes, an important role is played by fittings - parts intended for connecting pipes. With their help, you can assemble structures of any configuration. Fittings come in several types.

• Nipple is an adapter designed to connect two pipes of different diameters. In addition, it acts as a seal and barrier that protects the joint from external influences. Often used in water supply, to connect oil and gas pipelines.
• Coupling is a fitting involved in connecting parts of a pipeline with the same diameter. It strengthens the system section and ensures the tightness and strength of the connection.

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• Angle – a pipeline element installed at bending points. Its distinctive feature is its special strength. Its wall is thicker than other types of fittings, which makes it possible to increase the strength of both the corner itself and the entire system. The corner can be bent at 45 and 90 degrees. Used on all types of pipelines.

• A bend is a fitting that has a branched structure, different angles of inclination and connects a different number of pipes. Typically, the outlet is involved in the joining of internal and external sewers. Pipes coming from various plumbing elements and household appliances (toilets, sinks, washing machines and dishwashers) are adjacent to larger sections of the system, which goes into the general sewer system.

Methods for gluing PVC pipelines

There are two main methods of joining materials: hot and cold. The first option involves the use of a soldering machine; this technique helps to obtain high-quality adhesion. Even if the sealing did not work out well, the seam did not come out correctly, the fixation will be reliable, because the temperature is applied to at least 260 degrees. The second method will be discussed below.

The hot option involves the use of a soldering machine; this technique helps to obtain high-quality adhesion.

Which method is best to use

The choice of method depends on the operating conditions and the purpose for which the pipes are intended. Cold welding can only be used for cold water supply. The choice can also be influenced by budgetary possibilities; cold bonding is cheaper. After all, you can do without the services of professionals; the method is simple.

Cold welding can only be used for cold water supply.

Advantages of cold welding

The use of adhesives for polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride pipes has its positive qualities that distinguish this method compared to the hot method:

• The structure of the material remains smooth, which further helps to avoid the formation of blockages;
• There will be no leaks, the reliability of the connection is enormous;
• The process takes little time;
• Ease of operation, which saves money.

The structure of the material remains smooth, which helps to avoid the formation of blockages in the future.

The nuances of choosing the right type of glue

To choose the right adhesive for plastic pipes for water supply, you need to know a number of criteria:

• The place where the gluing will take place depends on the zones and conditions, which compounds should be purchased. You may need to purchase several different solutions;
• The pressure exerted on the material, manufacturers indicate in the instructions how much pressure the seam can withstand;
• Exerted loads. If the composition is not of very high quality, then displacement may occur under mechanical stress, so you should choose high-quality solutions;
• Temperatures and solutions may only be suitable for certain purposes, so you need to study the information about the purpose of the product on the packaging;
• Pay attention to the components, they may contain toxic substances. If a person is prone to allergies, then he should not carry out the work himself.

Solutions may only be suitable for certain purposes, so you need to study the information on the purpose of the product on the packaging.

Review of the best brands

Adhesives for HDPE pipes and pipes made of other types of plastic are produced by different manufacturers. The most popular of them:

• TANGIT, has a quality certificate, suitable for cold water. Creates a particularly strong grip and is easy to use;

  
  Creates a particularly strong grip and is easy to use.

• Mars, a domestic product, uses synthetic resin and diluents. Creates reliable sealing of the joint.

  
  Creates reliable sealing of the joint.

Products from Phoenix and Vinilit companies are also in demand.

How to choose glue

Before purchasing an adhesive, you need to decide on the installation method, since this is the initial stage of choosing an adhesive - the pipes will be connected using a hot or cold method.

Pay attention to the following information indicated on the packaging:

• Manufacturer. It is desirable that it be a well-known company, even better if it is the same one that produced the pipes purchased for installation.
• Purpose. The most reliable connection is obtained by using specialized compounds for gluing PVC pipes, but for the cold method, universal glue is also suitable.
• Type of pipes being glued. For corrugated and pressure pipes, you will need glue marked “for soft substrates,” and for assembling a pipeline using fittings or installing a siphon, “for hard substrates.”
• Setting time. Hot-mount adhesive must have three parameters: drying (no more than 30 minutes), hardening (no more than 2.5 hours) and polymerization (20-24 hours). The composition for cold welding has two parameters: drying at room temperature (3-5 minutes) and at 40ºC (1-2 minutes).
• Color. It is convenient to use products that have pigmentation - this allows you to control the uniformity of application of the adhesive layer. Transparent glue is convenient because its excess, left along the seam, is almost invisible.
• Certificate of safety and environmental friendliness, toxicity information. For the installation of cold water supply networks, only environmentally friendly materials can be used.
• Storage period and conditions. Expired compounds cannot be used, and if stored incorrectly, the glue will deteriorate before the expiration date expires.

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An important point when choosing glue is the presence of instructions. Each adhesive composition has its own nuances of use, and two-component ones also have features for preparing the solution. In addition, the instructions indicate what protective equipment will be required during installation.

Step-by-step instructions for using the composition

Work should be carried out at temperatures from +5 to + 30 degrees, good ventilation should be ensured. The following steps are performed:

1. First, the pipeline must be cleaned of all types of contaminants and also degreased;
2. They make markings, indicate the places where the coupling will take place, it is better to draw a diagram in advance;
3. The pipes are cut to the required sizes;
4. You can use a glue gun or a brush to apply glue. The solution should be applied evenly to the surface; there should be no empty areas;
5. Having connected the parts, hold them for half a minute so that setting occurs, it is advisable to leave them for 24 hours;
6. If excess glue comes out, wipe it off immediately;
7. After 24 hours, the fixation is checked to see if there are any leaks left.

Work should be carried out at temperatures from +5 to + 30 degrees, good ventilation should be ensured.

Rules for working with adhesives

To cut the material, it is better to use a pipe cutter; it will ensure smooth cutting. It is better to also treat the surface with sandpaper to improve adhesion.

It is recommended to try on the materials first to ensure correct cutting.

To cut the material, it is better to use a pipe cutter; it will ensure smooth cutting.

Installation methods

Soldering of adhesive PVC products is carried out in two ways:

1. Hot bonding - suitable for straight pipes and those with a socket.
2. Cold welding - used only for connecting socket products.

Note! Before applying the adhesive, the surfaces to be glued must be cleaned of dust and debris, degreased and dried. Foreign particles or grease left on the surface will lead to the formation of cavities between the pipes, making the unit unreliable.

The hot gluing process is similar to welding metal products:

• the surfaces to be joined are evenly lubricated with an adhesive composition for hot welding;
• heated until softened (up to 260ºС) using a special soldering iron, inserting its nozzles into the ends of the pipes, or blowing the pipes with a construction hairdryer;
• insert the end of one pipe with a chamfer into the socket of the other;
• hold the knot motionless for half an hour so that the glue has time to “set” and dry, this takes about half an hour;
• after 2.5 hours the plastic will finally cool down, and after a day the polymerization process will be completed - the polyvinyl chloride molecules of the mating surfaces form strong bonds.

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The cold welding process is more reminiscent of the usual gluing of two elements:

• evenly coat the surfaces with glue,
• insert the lubricated areas into each other,
• hold the unit motionless for about 1-4 minutes for the glue to set;
• The polymerization process during cold welding also takes about a day.

Note! After mating the pipes, you need to remove excess glue that has protruded beyond the boundaries of the unit being formed. This must be done before the adhesive dries, since then removing it will require a solvent, which can harm the pipes.

Causes of defects in adhesive joints

The use of glue ensures durability and reliability of fastening of polypropylene pipes, but sometimes water leaks occur. The reasons are:

• Poor surface preparation, presence of significant irregularities;
• Presence of dirt and grease;
• Incomplete sizing of the seam, actions must be carried out quickly, otherwise a film may form on the glue, which will no longer allow obtaining a strong adhesion;
• Poor mixing of the solution, no bubbles are left;
• Low compression force of materials, violation of compression time;
• Inappropriate adhesive composition.

The use of glue ensures durability and reliability of fastening of polypropylene pipes, but sometimes water leaks occur.

Glue for PVC pipes and fittings is an excellent option for joining them yourself. The method will help save your budget, but the solution must be chosen carefully. And the work is carried out in compliance with the rules.