If you've ever worked with PVC pipe cement and primer, you will understand how messy they can be to work with. They are sticky and drippy and hard to clean up. However, they are also extremely useful when connecting PVC pipe because of the airtight bond they form. Here at PVC Fittings Online, customers often ask us if connecting PVC pipe without glue is possible. Our answer depends on what this PVC joint will be used for.
What Kind of Connection Will This Be?
PVC cement (or glue) is not like normal glue, which grabs onto substances and acts as a bonding agent itself. PVC and CPVC cement actually break down the external layers of the pipe, allowing the material to literally combine. This permanently bonds PVC pipe and fittings. If you are trying to use PVC pipe to transport fluid or gas, PVC cement or special push-on fittings are necessary to assure there are no leaks.
Not all applications require a permanent seal like this, however. If you are putting together a structure out of PVC, you will likely have a large number of joints and connections. Putting cement on all of these PVC joints could be time-consuming and messy. This would also make it impossible to disassemble the structure later, so it may not be the most practical option. Let's look at a few options for non-permanent PVC pipe connections.