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Does anyone know if I should use PVC glue on a threaded PVC pipe connection?

I have a small leek coming from my connection and I 'm trying to fix it.

14 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Several have said to use teflon tape. However, pipe sealant paste is the best way to go and for the following reasons.

    1. Teflon tape is NOT a sealant. It is ONLY a LUBRICANT. So, what it does is it allows you to tighten a threaded joint tighter with the same amount of force on your wrench. This can cause a major problem in that if you place more force to tighten the joint further than it is intended to be if it were without the tape, then you can and quite possibly will crack on of your fittings!!! Then you have an even bigger problem.

    2. Pipe sealant with teflon, also known as PST, is the preferred method because it is a true SEALANT. Even though it also acts somewhat as a lubricant, you don't have to tighten the joint near as far as with some other method to get the joint to seal.

    The whole point is to tighten the joint only so far as you have to to stop the leak, AND NO FURTHER!

  • 1 decade ago

    You would never be able to tighten the connection fast enough (you would have a matter of a few seconds) before it set up. Make sure the area is clean and dry. What you might try is to clean off the area of the leak using acetone, then brush on liberal dabs of the PVC cement over the area of the leak. That might plug it up. You probably cannot turn the connection any more because the other ends are probably cemented in place. Teflon tape is a good idea, if you can take the connection apart, but I'm assuming everything is already cemented at the other end.

    A better thing to do would be to simply remove the part entirely, cutting it if you have to, then re-installing a new piece using the telfon tape on the threads. Any slip on connectors do need the PVC cement. Clean them with acetone first.

    Source(s): From the Kokpelli "How to Get Along in Life Handbook" This answer is a finely tuned, precision instrument machined to tolerances of +/- .001" and was carefully handcrafted from the highest quality materials. No animals or plants were harmed in the answering of this question. Any similarity with any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental and unintended. "What do you mean WE, White Man?" - Tonto
  • 1 decade ago

    you shouldn't have to use anything....and as someone said you probably won't be able to tighten it quickly enough ....can't say i have ever seen anyone use teflon tape on the pvc pipes either....i have however seen a plumber fix a bum joint by adding a whole bunch of adhesive around the joint (not a threaded one but i would think it would work the same)...the glue kinda melts the pvc or abs and this creates a seal around the joint...is a nasty looking fix but a fix none the less

  • 1 decade ago

    you couldn't use pvc glue with water present anyway, it wouldn't bond.

    also pouring glue over your leak,(if this is what you are suggesting), probably won't be best fix.

    NOTE: teflon tape isn't to seal pipe leaks, it is alubricating agent which allows

    the threads to thread together deeper and seal better, and ease dis-assembly.

    The best answer replace and re-tighten, if this isn't possible get two part

    epoxy that says waterproof and can be worked with water present (read packaging).

    They have split PVC pieces to join over a leak and then clamp.Use together with glue.

    I have made emergecy repairs like this to hold 100psi.

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  • 1 decade ago

    I would not use glue on the joint. You should take it apart and use a paste with teflon or use teflon tape. Remember if you use the tape to hold the piece you are wrapping in your left hand and wrap clockwise with your right. Now the problem with glueing a threaded joint is if it still leaks you must cut the joint out.

  • 1 decade ago

    Teflon tape or a little pipe dope. Both are cheap and readily available at any hardware store or home improvement center. DO NOT use glue however

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    If it won't tighten up, cut it out and replace with a new one, But don't use glue on it, It will be there forever and you won't be able to take it apart later on. Use Teflon tape on connection and it won't leak

  • T C
    Lv 6
    1 decade ago

    sometimes, leaks are caused (in new construction) because of over tightening. I would loosen the connection a 1/4 to 1/2 turn to see if it has been over tighten and deformed.

  • 1 decade ago

    I would use Teflon/PTFE tape. Much easier too. Remember to wrap the tape the same was as the threads.

  • Teflon tape would be better to use on threaded,but there is no rule saying you can not use the glue

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