How to Glue PVC Pipe
Follow these 19 steps on cutting and setting PVC pipe during your next project.
SiteOne March 6, 2018

A 19-Step Guide
Good technique when cutting PVC pipe can be the difference between a successful irrigation system, and a small pond in your customer’s front yard. Here’s a thorough list of steps on how to properly cut and set PVC during your next project.
- Cut the pipe square.
- Remove the burrs inside and outside the pipe.
- Clean the PVC pipe with a rag to remove dirt and moisture.
- Check the dry fit. (The pipe must enter at least 1/3 of the way in without force! If the fit is too 4. tight, file or sand pipe. Don't make flats or gouges on it.)
- Remove floss by wiping the pipe and fittings with cleaner or a primer, or sand them.
- Apply cement. Flow cement on with a full brush.
- Brush a thin coat in the fitting.
- Brush pipe again.
- Keep brush in cement between applications.
- Work fast and don't use too much cement!
- Assemble immediately.
- Rotate and bottom the pipe in the socket, while the pipe is still wet. Rotate only 1⁄4 turn.
- Hold pipe for about a minute.
- Important: get help on large sizes, or use a mechanical helper.
- Wipe off excess cement - especially the bead.
- Let cement dry. If its 70 degrees or hotter, wait 30 minutes; 40 degrees to 60 degrees, wait 1 hour; 20 degrees to 40 degrees, wait 2 hours.
- Snake pipe in ditch side to side.
- Shade pipe with backfill. Use soft dirt without clods or rocks for the first few inches, leaving joints exposed for inspection.
- Set period: depending on the type of cement, size of pipe, air temperature, dry joint tights, your pipe will take a certain time to dry. 24 hours is considered to be a safe period to be allowed to stand before testing.