How Long Should PVC Glue Dry Before Turning On Water?

In all types of work requiring PVC pipes, you need to join them with one another. And this joining requires a special kind of glue which takes some time to cure before you can use the PVC.

But when it comes to plumbing, you don’t want to ruin the glue by turning on the water too soon. So how long should PVC glue dry before turning on water?

Well, that depends on some major factors. Read along as we explain this further.

How Does PVC Glue Work?

PVCs are pipes made of polyvinyl chloride that are widely used in plumbing systems. And the glue that is used to join pieces together is made up of bonding agents.

These agents are chemical solvents that dissolve the surface of the PVC pipe. When you join two PVC surfaces together and press, they both fuse into a single piece.

In effect, this glue makes the two parts inseparable. This single piece cannot be separated anymore unless you cut them.

Applying the PVC Glue on Plumbing

The process of applying the glue in PVC is quite simple but unforgiving in error. Since it melts the pipe surface and joins two of them the moment they are pressed together, making a mistake and taking it too long could render the pipe unusable.

Now, there are some easy steps while applying the glue to the pipe. These steps are as follows:

Step 1 – Measure and Cut

You want to make sure that the pipe will be fully seated in the fitting. To measure the length between the shoulders on the fittings and cut them.

You can cut PVC with almost any type of saw. But make sure that the cut is straight. If the cut is crooked or angled, the possibility of leaking joints will increase tenfold.

Also, check for any rough plastic bits left on the cut edge of the pipe. This is also another common cause of leaks. Use 80 grit sandpaper to rub the cut edge and de-burr the pipe.

Step 2 – Dry Fit

Before gluing up, it is a good idea to dry-fit the PVC parts together. Assembling everything helps you mark their relative positions. If you’re planning to glue multiple parts together, dry-fit the entire assembly to make sure everything looks okay.

In this way, registering the parts will become clear to you so that you don’t make mistakes later on.

Step 3 – Apply the Primer

The primer helps soften and clean the plastic. Use the brush that comes with the primer to spread it outside the pipe and inside of the fitting in the place where they overlap.

Some might wonder, do you let PVC primer dry before cement? Know that the primer dries pretty quickly, and you can apply the cement glue almost immediately.

Step 4 – Gluing

The next step is to glue the PVC fast. Time becomes much more important as you apply it to the pipe since the solvent glue tends to harden very quickly. Although you don’t need to apply a ton of glue, a single coating over the primer will do the trick.

Step 5 – Fit and twist

As you apply the glue, quickly join both the parts of the PVC and hold them together for at least 30 seconds. But as you fit the parts, give them a twist or turn of about half an inch to spread the glue and speed its cure.

Allowing the Glue to Cure Before Turning on Water

It is most important to leave the PVC rest for a while so that it can dry properly. This is also known as curing. Especially when you use this PVC glue for pool plumbing, extra curing time becomes much more necessary.

The curing time of this glue depends on the temperature and also the humidity of the area. It is also dependent on the type of glue you are using. The glue sets much slower in very cold conditions than in warmer temperatures.

Although many people have different ideas about when it is safe to run on the water supply after curing, there are some general states.

A standard grade glue will likely be set within 15 minutes if the temperature is moderate. However, some slow-setting glues might take more than 30 minutes. The benefit of these glues is that it allows you a much longer period to adjust the PVC fittings.

But if you want to be extra careful, we’ll suggest you leave it overnight before turning on the water. This method will never go wrong as it allows the pipe ample time to settle even in the coldest conditions.

Final Words

We hope this article has served its purpose of making things easier for you.

When you are in a plumbing job or doing any DIY plumbing, it is necessary to know how long PVC glue dries before turning on the water. It saves you from ruining the pipe or any unwanted leaks.

FAQs

How long for blue PVC glue to dry?

You might know that rain or shine is a kind of blue cement for PVC pipes. The rain or shine PVC glue dry time is a lot faster than most other glues as they are specially formulated for wet conditions and rapid pressurization. They are best used for pools and irrigation.

Will PVC cement cure underwater?

As a fast-acting solvent, it will likely cure underwater easily.

How long for Oatey PVC cement to dry?

Give the Oatey cement 15 minutes to dry, and you’ll notice it handling things pretty well. However, you should wait at least 2 hours before turning water as an additional precaution.