DIY PVC Pipe Repair

Normally, PVC solvent glue is used to glue together joint fittings and pipes made from PVC material.

Emergency pipe repairs typically requires cutting the pipe back and fixing new replacement parts and couplings.

Alternatively, you can re-plumb the whole piping section.

Other unpressured drain pipes such as ABS pipes will also require similar repair methods.

Although PVC pipes are mostly cream or white in colour, ABS is black and plastic.

However, CPVC plastic water supply pipes are pressurized and unsuitable for similar repair methods.

These products are heavy-duty, thick tapes which sticks to itself instead of the part under repair.

They are gummy and stretchy so it can stick to itself in order to increase the tape wraps compression.

Wrap the tape around the leaking PVC pipe or joint very tightly, and ensure the wraps extend well past the area of repair.

The upside is that repair tape can be wrapped spirally across a significant distance if a pipe has a long split.

On the other hand, applying it in tight spaces can be difficult.

Repair epoxies meant for plastics, including PVC, are usually available in liquid (syringe) and putty forms.

Both forms are suitable for fixing PVC pipe and joint leaks.

Wipe the area dry and apply the epoxy in line with the manufacturer’s direction.

Many types get to full strength in about an hour but set in around 25 minutes.

Since liquid epoxy is less dense than putty, it may work better for tight areas like drain pipes running through stud holes or other frames.

This is a cloth of fiberglass coated with resin that is water-triggered.

Simply soak the cloth in water and wrap it round the PVC joint or pipe leak, and allow the resin to harden for about 15 minutes.

For best results, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

This includes trying to stretch the wrap about 2 inches on both sides of the leaking area.

A thick rubber piece and some hose clamps offer a short-term repair which you can do without needing to get supplies from the store.

If the leak is secluded to a single area and not split along the joint or pipe length, then you can normally wrap it with a piece of rubber.

Open the hose clamps entirely, such that you can place them round the pipe.

Wrap the leaking area with the rubber, and then tighten the hose clamp at the rubber ends to compress it round the leak.

This will normally either stop the leak or reduce it significantly so that you can apply a more lasting repair.