pvc cement, needed on drain lines?

Jandree22 · 07/19/2008, 11:04 PM

Soon going to start building my plumbing down into the basement, and I got a can of both primer and cement ready to go. I've heard that pvc cement is only really necessary on load bearing lines (ie, the return line) and not needed on the drain lines as the slip fittings do make a nice snug fit together.

I don't want disaster first and foremost, but slip connections seem to me to be very solid w/o any cement, and if possible I'd like to avoid as many cemented connections as possible for any plumbing maintenance down the road.

please let me know any thoughts, thanks.

reef2 · 07/19/2008, 11:07 PM

ur going to want to glue it. ive got some drain pieces just slip fitted over my sump and they leak.

use unions if u want to be able to take apart the plumbing.

Jandree22 · 07/19/2008, 11:11 PM

10-4, thanks

Toddrtrex · 07/19/2008, 11:30 PM

Yep, I didn't glue the last couple of pieces and they slowly leak -- not an issue for me, since it is over the sump.

And like "reef2" said, put unions in convenient spots so you can take it apart if needed.

ultimate125 · 07/20/2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddrtrex
Yep, I didn't glue the last couple of pieces and they slowly leak -- not an issue for me, since it is over the sump.

And like "reef2" said, put unions in convenient spots so you can take it apart if needed.

+1

jdiddy8384 · 07/20/2008, 12:52 AM

+2 Unions make life better

alextheromanian · 07/20/2008, 01:25 AM

put as many unions as you need to make cleanup as easy as you can.

not cementing will leak...meanning salt creep mold? possibly from moisture more cleanup loss of salt you get the picture.

unions go for about 3$ a pop and they will be your fav part of the plumbing

cdbias2 · 07/20/2008, 07:04 AM

Pay attention to the inside diameter of your unions. Most are a little (1/4") smaller than the pipe they are designed to join. I always buy a larger size and then use reducers ($0.30 each) on each end so as not to reduce the I.D. of my plumbing anywhere.

ie; a 1" union is only 3/4 dia. on the inside.

chuggy · 07/20/2008, 07:30 AM

use ball valves too so you can shut down sections for maintenance you will be glad you did later on

Jandree22 · 07/20/2008, 08:46 AM

yep, I got some unions and ball valves ready to go

thanks again all.

07/19/2008, 11:04 PM	#1
Jandree22 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Middletown PA Posts: 762	pvc cement, needed on drain lines? Soon going to start building my plumbing down into the basement, and I got a can of both primer and cement ready to go. I've heard that pvc cement is only really necessary on load bearing lines (ie, the return line) and not needed on the drain lines as the slip fittings do make a nice snug fit together. I don't want disaster first and foremost, but slip connections seem to me to be very solid w/o any cement, and if possible I'd like to avoid as many cemented connections as possible for any plumbing maintenance down the road. please let me know any thoughts, thanks. __________________ Tank Info: 120g

07/19/2008, 11:11 PM	#3
Jandree22 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Middletown PA Posts: 762	10-4, thanks __________________ Tank Info: 120g

07/19/2008, 11:30 PM	#4
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Yep, I didn't glue the last couple of pieces and they slowly leak -- not an issue for me, since it is over the sump. And like "reef2" said, put unions in convenient spots so you can take it apart if needed. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

07/20/2008, 01:25 AM	#7
alextheromanian Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Binghamton NY Posts: 1,007	put as many unions as you need to make cleanup as easy as you can. not cementing will leak...meanning salt creep mold? possibly from moisture more cleanup loss of salt you get the picture. unions go for about 3$ a pop and they will be your fav part of the plumbing __________________ i just cant think of any phylosophical, deep, critical thinking quotes right now. Current Tank Info: 29g Reef, 75g FOWLR

07/20/2008, 08:46 AM	#10
Jandree22 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Middletown PA Posts: 762	yep, I got some unions and ball valves ready to go thanks again all. __________________ Tank Info: 120g

07/19/2008, 11:07 PM	#2
reef2 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 639	ur going to want to glue it. ive got some drain pieces just slip fitted over my sump and they leak. use unions if u want to be able to take apart the plumbing.

07/20/2008, 12:52 AM	#6
jdiddy8384 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 138	+2 Unions make life better

07/20/2008, 07:04 AM	#8
cdbias2 Appalachian Reef Society Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alum Creek, WV (No more) Posts: 1,433	Pay attention to the inside diameter of your unions. Most are a little (1/4") smaller than the pipe they are designed to join. I always buy a larger size and then use reducers ($0.30 each) on each end so as not to reduce the I.D. of my plumbing anywhere. ie; a 1" union is only 3/4 dia. on the inside.

07/20/2008, 07:30 AM	#9
chuggy Moved On Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: 44143 Posts: 2,300	use ball valves too so you can shut down sections for maintenance you will be glad you did later on