Plumbing leaks

[Lunker]

Just turned on my system for the first time today. My external pump had a couple of leaks from the treaded connections. I retaped with plumbers tape and believe fixed those two.

Now I have a more pressing issue. I have a leak coming from a 90 deg elbow into a 1" flex joint. The flex did slide itself out a bit when I apparently glued it.

 

So I just added additional PVC glue around the connection by the leak. Do you think that will work or do you think that I will have a more serious project to fix? Is there an easier way to fix those small leaks at the glue joints?

 

Thanks/Ron

[ctenophore]

Just turned on my system for the first time today. My external pump had a couple of leaks from the treaded connections. I retaped with plumbers tape and believe fixed those two.

Now I have a more pressing issue. I have a leak coming from a 90 deg elbow into a 1" flex joint. The flex did slide itself out a bit when I apparently glued it.

 

So I just added additional PVC glue around the connection by the leak. Do you think that will work or do you think that I will have a more serious project to fix? Is there an easier way to fix those small leaks at the glue joints?

 

Thanks/Ron

You will need to cut it out and redo it. Use the blue rain-or-shine glue, it is thick and works well for gluing larger fittings.

Justin

[Lunker]

You will need to cut it out and redo it. Use the blue rain-or-shine glue, it is thick and works well for gluing larger fittings.

Justin

 

Justin,

 

That is what I was afraid of. :( This won't be very easy nor pretty and thanks for the advice.

 

Ron

[paenian]

Replacement's a pain, but save yourself the worrying and possibly the wet floor!

 

I would recommend using primer highly - I personally prefer phe purple primer, especially for flex pipe.

 

Also think about how many screw unions you have, and might want to add...

 

Paul

[ctenophore]

I used to use purple primer, but hate when it drips down the pipes. Messy plumbing is a pet peeve of mine (ask Jason what I mean). The blue thick stuff doesn't need primer IME, I have used it on 3" unprimed joints with no leaks. Just glob it on thick on the male side, and give the female side a very light wipe with the leftovers on the brush. This eliminates the ring of glue that can get pushed inside the joint by the male fitting, which restricts water flow. Make sure to catch any drips with a rag when you join them, and you will have a perfect thick bead form around the outside of the joint.

[flowerseller]

I used to use purple primer, but hate when it drips down the pipes. Messy plumbing is a pet peeve of mine (ask Jason what I mean). The blue thick stuff doesn't need primer IME, I have used it on 3" unprimed joints with no leaks. Just glob it on thick on the male side, and give the female side a very light wipe with the leftovers on the brush. This eliminates the ring of glue that can get pushed inside the joint by the male fitting, which restricts water flow. Make sure to catch any drips with a rag when you join them, and you will have a perfect thick bead form around the outside of the joint.

 

what he said only have a glass of single malt when you're done

[Lunker]

It looks like that I have suceeded in fixing the leak that I was concerned about. As I didn''t think that the leak was very serious I applied 3 layers of PVC glue over an 18 hour period after which I decided to add and applied "Crazy Puddy". This is the puddy that is being advertised on TV. I pick this up at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

 

I turned on the water into my sump and my Reefflo Barraduca. No leaks! I intend to add another coat of PVC glue over this joint in the morning once that the "Crazy Puddy" completely sets. Hopefully this will do the job and I won't have to cut and paste.

 

Ron