Step by Step Guide to Repair a Damaged PVC Sewer Line
Most piping systems used today are manufactured using PVC, a hard plastic that is known to be durable. However, when pressure is put on the pipe, it is bound to break. When a pipe breaks at one point, it makes no sense replacing the entire system. PVC couplings are often used to repair that section of the pipe by cutting out the broken part and installing a new piece.
Here is how the repair process is conducted:
Step 1: Locate the Damaged Area
You will need to find out where the fluid is leaking in order to determine the section of the pipe that needs repair. Look out for damp patches or odors in case the piping system transports waste water.
Step 2: Mark the Area
Once you identify the point of damage, the next step is to mark the section that is going to be repaired; mark the cutting 6 inches away from the point of breakage/fracture on each side. You can use a felt pen to mark the cutting point.
Step 3: Cut Out the Piece
With two marks now, you can cut the two sections of the pipe using a hacksaw. Try and make straight cuts on both sides. With the two cut pipe ends, measure the distance between them and use this to determine the length of the new piece of PVC that will be installed in that section. Make sure the new pipe that you will fit in this section has a similar diameter to the existing pipe.
Step 4: Apply Primer
Don’t use PVC glue before applying a primer. The primer needs to be applied on one end of the new pipe and also on one end of the existing pipe both on the outside sections. Apply primer on the interior of the coupling as well. Give the primer time to dry.
Step 5: Fit the Coupling
Push the one end of the coupling onto the end of the pipe that doesn’t have any primer. Next, apply the PVC glue onto all the areas that have primer and then push the other end of the coupling onto the new pipe. Wait until the area is stuck. This should take less than a minute and then let go. Make sure that half of the coupling is pushed inside the new pipe and the other half is in the existing pipe. You can use a screwdriver to tighten it.