Gluing Instructions

Quality connections can only be achieved by following proper procedures. Here you will find out how to prepare and make such quality, air-tight and water-tight connections.

Before you begin

Familiarize yourself with this procedure to understand what tools, supplies, knowledge, and preparation is required and what results you can expect. Warning! - PVC glue vapors are toxic and highly flammable. Use in a well ventilated area and avoid breathing vapors. Do not use any glue or primer near an open flame. Do not smoke while performing or preparing for these procedures or while opening glue cans.

Tools and Supplies

The following tools and supplies are used when performing most plumbing repairs on your spa: 2 Pipe Shear (or Hack Saw) Pliers PVC Glue
Rigid to Flex

PVC Glue
Rigid to Rigid

Primer
For Rigid to Rigid only

Hack Saw (or 2 Pipe Shear)

Tape Measure

Sand Paper
#200

Utility Knife

Clean Rag

Piece Identification
Below are shown the most common plumbing pieces encountered in a repair. Flex Pipe Rigid Pipe Elbow Fitting Tee Fitting Coupling Union Manifold

The Basics
Remove old section then assemble replacement pieces without gluing
Clearly identify the leaky area Wipe off the area with a dry cloth and look for the leak. Once located, dry off the area again to see how long the crack or hole is. Make sure that you know precisely where the leak is coming from. Plan the repair so that there is enough pipe material left after the cut to properly join the new pieces together. This may require replacement of an additional elbow or a tee fitting to allow the pipe to bottom out in the fitting. Make all cuts as square as possible. Use the 2 pipe shear to cut the pipe. A hack saw can also be used if a pipe shear is not available. De-burr the cuts If using a hack saw to cut the pipe, use a knife or sandpaper to remove the excess material from the pipes. Be careful that little pieces do not fall into the pipe. Pre-assemble the new couplings or tee fittings in place without gluing them and then measure the length of additional tubing required. It is better to cut tubing a little longer at this time. Now is the time to adjust the length of the straight sections for a proper fit. Trim pieces in small increments and make square cuts. After all pieces are properly cut to length, use a knife or sand paper to remove all excess material from the straight pipe sections just cut.

Evaluate where to cut the pipe

Cut the pipe off square

Trial fit the replacement pieces

Trim to size

De-burr replacement pieces

Make a Plan
Plan the assembly order Plan how you will get these replacement pieces straight (or in the proper orientation) when joining multiple fittings. Test you plan prior to gluing to see if you have enough time to work your plan. Testing also validates your chosen order of assembly.

Test your assembly plan

Final Assembly
Rigid-to-Rigid Joints
When bonding rigid-to-rigid pipe joints, primer must be used to properly prepare the surface for the glue. Primer is not used for flex-to-rigid joints or on air control assemblies. Prime all joints Using the dauber in the primer can, wipe the primer on the contact areas of the pipe joints on the outer side of a pipe and the inner side of a fitting.

Glue each joint together quickly (within 30 seconds)

PVC glue sets up quickly and you must assemble a joint within 30 seconds of applying glue. If you try to twist or move a joint after this time, it will compromise its integrity and usually cause it to leak. Apply the glue Using the dauber in the glue can, quickly apply a thin, even coat of glue to the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting.

Push the pieces together and twist

While the glue is still wet, push the pipe into the fitting rotating it about turn while pushing them together. Once the bottom of the fitting is reached, twist the pipe an additional 1/8 turn. Make sure that the final twist properly orients the pipe and fitting for the next joint. Hold the fitting and the pipe firmly in place for 10-15 seconds to allow the glue to properly set. Use the clean cloth to wipe off any drips or excess glue.

Hold the joint together

Wipe off excess

Repeat this assembly process until all of the pieces are glued and assembled. Once all pieces are assembled, allow all pieces to dry for 24 hours. After 24 hours, try to pull each joint apart to make sure that you have glued all joints together. Note: The last piece assembled may be too rigid to allow you to twist it into place. This is unavoidable and this twisting in such a case cannot be performed. Be careful not to apply too much glue (too much glue is indicated by drips inside of the joints). Caution: If it takes longer than 30 seconds for any two pieces to be joined, you must discard all of your work to this point and start over.