During renovation and construction work, we use increasingly modern materials. These include, in particular, PVC pipes. Of course, such pipes are much more durable than metal ones. They have a huge number of advantages. But these advantages appear only when the correct installation is done. This is the issue we will touch on today. And, in particular, the subject of our article will be glue and adhesive compositions used when installing PVC pipes. We will talk about the types of such compositions and the rules for their selection depending on specific circumstances.
PVC products and their technical characteristics
PVC (short for polyvinyl chloride) is a polymer. Perhaps its main advantage is its environmental friendliness. However, its melting point is quite low. Moreover, this material is sensitive to low temperatures. However, these two disadvantages are more than compensated for by the high strength and durability of the material.
Before installing plastic pipes, you should become thoroughly familiar with their characteristics. And they, in principle, are determined by the physical properties of the polymer used in them. The main physical features of PVC pipes include:
- High ring stiffness . And this, in particular, guarantees them high resistance to water hammer. And also the ability to withstand high pressure up to 120 atm.
- No significant deformation at high temperatures . Although such deformations still exist, they do not exceed 5%. However, the above applies only to temperatures not exceeding the maximum permissible limit.
- Low heat resistance. If the temperature exceeds 78°C, the adhesive PVC pipe loses its rigidity. To avoid possible emergency situations, such pipes cannot be used in pipelines where the temperature exceeds 40°C.
- Instability at low temperatures . In particular, polyvinyl chloride retains its operational advantages only at temperatures not lower than -15°C. If the temperature is below this limit, the material may begin to deteriorate. When laying a pipeline within a cold region, it must be additionally insulated.
If we talk about the operational properties of PVC pipes, then the main points include the following:
- Pipes can be used for quite a long time without the use of any cleaning measures. Because their siltation is minimized. This is due to the smoothness of the inner walls.
- These products are excellent for sewer systems. Moreover, this is explained both by the presence of smooth internal walls and their small thickness.
- Great durability, which is due, in particular, to the resistance of polyvinyl chloride to ultraviolet radiation.
Advantages of using “cold welding”
The links are connected to each other either mechanically, or by welding or using special glue. The welding method is the most popular, but it requires a special machine, which is very expensive, or you can call a specialist, which also costs money. The adhesive connection method is less common, but very effective. The “cold welding method” is often used. The seams are reliable and durable, in no way inferior to other joining methods.
There is only one disadvantage of this method: the composition is intended for gluing PVC pipes of cold water supply only; it can dissolve or simply lose its adhesive properties when exposed to high temperatures.
Advantages of joining using an adhesive composition:
- the pipeline remains smooth from the inside, there is no roughness or various damage, which helps to avoid blockages in the future;
- no risk of leakage;
- components adhere at the molecular level;
- the seams are absolutely sealed and may leak if exposed to hot temperatures;
- there is practically no labor and cash costs, gluing takes place in five minutes;
- no additional tools are needed for work;
- a fairly simple method that can be performed by a non-professional;
- there is no need to buy a welding machine.
Installation of PVC pipes with glue and its features
You can often hear that the glue used when installing plastic pipes is called cold welding. In principle, such a name is not an accident. Because such a connection allows you to distribute the load. Which results in increased strength. That is, the durability of pipelines is extended. Exactly the same as what happens when connecting elements using classical welding.
Glue for installing PVC pipes provokes a reaction of the polymer and softens it. A fitting is placed on a pipe with softened walls, the inner walls of which are also pre-treated with an adhesive composition. As a result, the elements are welded. But welding in this case is of a chemical nature.
However, when choosing glue, you should not forget about one feature. As a rule, additives and solvents included in various adhesive compositions differ in their chemical properties. Therefore, when choosing a specific composition, you should proceed from the type of thermoplastic compounds being welded.
To make this choice easier, PVC pipe manufacturers provide their products with appropriate instructions. But the main thing that should not be forgotten is the following: to connect parts made of ordinary PVC and chlorinated PVC (CPVC), you should use glue of the appropriate brand.
It should be noted that the installation of sewer plastic pipes with glue is, in principle, a popular method. The resulting system is characterized by excellent tightness and reliability.
It should be remembered that partial non-gluing during installation may occur if:
- the coating of the surface of the pipes with glue is uneven;
- There are a large number of irregularities on the surface of the pipes.
But unadhesive can also be complete. This can happen if the layer of adhesive on both surfaces being glued is too dry. That is, we must not forget that the adhesive installation operation should not last more than a few minutes.
And a few words about the condition of the adhesive layer.
- It can be soft. This happens if the curing time has not expired or if the ambient temperature is quite low.
- The layer may be porous. This is observed, as a rule, when, due to poor mixing of the components, the glue retains a large number of air bubbles.
What types of glue can there be and methods for performing adhesive installation
Chemical compositions used for adhesive installation of plastic pipes can be divided into two groups.
Hot Fusion Adhesive
This glue is used, as a rule, when working with sewer pipes. Adhesive compositions of this type can be successfully used when connecting both PVC water pipes and air outlet pipes.
If such glue is used correctly, the result is a high-quality connection that is characterized by great durability. As a rule, these adhesive compositions are accompanied by the corresponding manufacturer's instructions. By following it, you can achieve the correct use of the substance and, as a result, obtain completely airtight joints.
ATTENTION!!!
Glue for installing PVC plastic sewer pipes is a flammable substance. Therefore, it is especially important to adhere to fire safety rules. Moreover, this substance should not be allowed to come into contact with the skin.
Even if the seams are not processed clearly enough, the connection of pipes using this glue will always be of high quality. But to perform the installation you need a special soldering iron for plastic. However, it is not at all necessary to acquire a highly professional instrument. A small amateur soldering iron will be quite sufficient to achieve excellent results.
A soldering iron is needed to heat the ends of the assembled pipeline elements. The device, as a rule, is equipped with a set of nozzles that make it possible to mount pipes of various sections. The tool includes two main elements:
- heating elements;
- sole.
To perform high-quality soldering, you need to become familiar with all temperature conditions of the tool. And in each specific case, choose the appropriate mode. For example, if we are talking about water supply, then the heating temperature should be 260°C.
Detailed master class on pipeline installation using the “cold welding” method
When installing PVC pipes, you must follow certain step-by-step instructions:
- Before starting work, you should make sure that the room temperature is in the range from 5 to 30 degrees and there is constant air circulation.
- Prepare the appropriate tools: marker, ruler, pipe cutter, jigsaw, sandpaper, degreasing solvent, natural bristle brush, adhesive composition itself.
- Prepare your work surface. It is necessary to clean the parts, wash them and degrease them. If the pipeline is dirty, the glue will adhere only to the top and form a film; contact with the pipe will be unreliable and superficial, which will lead to leakage.
- Carry out markings. Before starting work, prepare a project and a pipeline gluing diagram. Afterwards the parts are marked and measured.
- Cut pieces of the required length using pipe cutters or a jigsaw. Make sure that the cut areas are even and smooth. Clean them with sandpaper.
- Glue the elements of the water supply system using a special mounting gun, evenly distributing the adhesive composition over the surface and leaving no gaps or empty areas. If you don’t have a gun, then a regular paint brush will do.
- Keep the links together for about 30 seconds, during which time the mixture will become viscous and dense. It is better to leave the links connected together for a day.
- If glue leaks beyond the surface, it must be cleaned up. It is ideal to remove it immediately with a damp cloth or cloth before it hardens.
- The coupling takes place within a day, so until this time the fastened links cannot be touched, otherwise everything can be displaced. As soon as the time period has passed, be sure to check the system and inspect the joints for leaks.
How to choose glue for installing PVC pipes
When choosing an adhesive composition for gluing PVC pipes, you need, in particular, to read the instructions supplied with them. This will allow you to learn more about the material from which they are made.
Moreover, when choosing, you should also take into account the following parameters:
- Applicable welding type . That is, you need to decide whether it will be cold or hot.
- Hardening time . In principle, we can assume that for cold welding this time is 4 minutes if this occurs at room temperature. If the temperature exceeds 40°C, the time becomes shorter and is 1 minute. When hot welding, the time indicators are: hardening - about 30 minutes; hardening – 2.5 hours; complete polymerization – 24 hours.
- Procedure for use and storage features . In order for the adhesive to maintain its effectiveness, these conditions must be strictly observed. Which, as a rule, is indicated on the glue packaging.
Moreover, other characteristics of the adhesive composition can be found on the packaging. These are, for example, the density, color and viscosity that this glue has.
However, as you know, PVC pipes vary in their rigidity. Therefore, based on this fact, some manufacturers divide adhesives into certain varieties. But, as a rule, there are only two types:
- First, soft pipe glue. These include corrugated pipes, as well as water pipes;
- secondly, adhesive compositions used for assembling solid products. These are, for example, siphons and plastic fittings.
PVC fittings and pipes
Whatever type of glue it is, it is resistant to water. Moreover, the water can be cold or hot. Therefore, in principle, when choosing glue, you should not worry about this point. However, preference should be given to products from well-known manufacturers. That is, those who fully guarantee the quality of their products.
Working with a cast iron radiator when leaking
It happens that the heating battery leaks - the threaded joint has deteriorated, or a leak has appeared in the section. Repairs will require epoxy glue and a bandage. The material is impregnated with glue and applied to the hole area. After setting, you can paint this area with the main color. This measure is considered temporary, and after turning off the heating it is better to replace the radiator.
Cold welding of batteries is also used. The special product is kneaded in your hands and applied to the injury site. It quickly melts, sets and allows the “patch” to exist until the heating is turned off.
You should not try to glue radiators if there is a strong leak that has led to an emergency. It is better to immediately call a team of specialists who will stop the leak and replace the radiator with a new one.
Source
The most famous brands of adhesives used in the installation of plastic pipes
As a rule, the composition of various adhesives is almost similar. However, adhesives from well-known brands always inspire more confidence. Because, firstly, these products have already been tested by a large number of users. And, secondly, it is almost always of high quality, because... Manufacturers value their years of accumulated reputation.
Brands that are particularly trustworthy are:
- TANGIT . Glue under this brand is produced in Germany. It can be used when installing water supply systems consisting of PVC pipes. The use of this glue, in principle, is a guarantee of high-quality gluing. Moreover, the resulting compounds are characterized by great durability. The adhesive is very easy to use. Moreover, it is convenient. Because brushes are usually applied to the glue can. TANGIT brand products are environmentally friendly. That is, any glue of this brand can be used in drinking water supply systems.
- MARS . This brand is Russian. The glue is based on compounds of various synthetic resins, as well as organic solvents. This glue is especially effective when installing pipes, as well as when connecting other PVC elements. It has a number of important advantages. Among which, for example, is the high stickiness of the substance, as well as the reliability of the resulting compounds.
However, the list of recommended brands is not limited to just these two items. According to experts, proven and reliable adhesives also include “Vinilit” and “Phoenix”.
