If you've ever worked with PVC pipe cement and primer, you will understand how messy they can be to work with. They are sticky and drippy and hard to clean up. However, they are also extremely useful when connecting PVC pipe because of the airtight bond they form. Here at PVC Fittings Online, customers often ask us if connecting PVC pipe without glue is possible. Our answer depends on what this PVC joint will be used for.
What Kind of Connection Will This Be?
PVC cement (or glue) is not like normal glue, which grabs onto substances and acts as a bonding agent itself. PVC and CPVC cement actually break down the external layers of the pipe, allowing the material to literally combine. This permanently bonds PVC pipe and fittings. If you are trying to use PVC pipe to transport fluid or gas, PVC cement or special push-on fittings are necessary to assure there are no leaks.
Not all applications require a permanent seal like this, however. If you are putting together a structure out of PVC, you will likely have a large number of joints and connections. Putting cement on all of these PVC joints could be time-consuming and messy. This would also make it impossible to disassemble the structure later, so it may not be the most practical option. Let's look at a few options for non-permanent PVC pipe connections.
PVC Pipe Connection Alternatives
If you would like to disconnect a pipe joint at some point, you will want to avoid PVC cement. However, connecting PVC without cement usually makes these joints unable to carry gases or even liquids. What non-cemented joints lack in soundness they make up for in convenience! There are several ways of connecting PVC pipe without glue, so we will go over those here.
The first and most obvious way to connect PVC pipe and fittings without using glue is to simply push the parts together. Compatible parts fit snugly together and will not come apart without some kind of outside pressure. This is not the most secure method, but it is quite effective if the joints will not be put under much stress.
A more inventive method is to push the pipe and fitting together, drill a hole through both sides, and slide a pin into the hole. Whenever you want to separate the pipe and fitting, you can remove the pin and slide them apart. This method keeps the parts mostly immobile and is great for joints that require frequent deconstruction.
The type of fitting you use can also affect whether or not you need to use PVC cement. We sell inexpensive PVC push-on fittings with rubber O-rings. These provide a permanent connection that is strong enough to transport water or other substances, unlike the previous two no-cement methods.
As you can see, there are alternate ways to connect pvc pipe & fittings. Practically anything that keeps them from falling apart will work if you are not using them to transport substances. The options for getting a water-tight seal are a bit more limited, but PVC cement is not necessarily the only way forward! Keep all your options in mind when shopping for PVC products and get the best prices at PVC Fittings Online.