FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
How-To

A Primer on PVC Pipe

It's easy to work with, but you've still got to choose the right fittings and follow some basic rules.

By Ed Cunha Issue 160

Synopsis: Although PVC pipe is fairly easy to work with, there’s more to it than some think. These tips and techniques from a professional plumber will ensure that your cuts are square, your joints are tight, and your pipes won’t clog over time.

My neighbor said in a worried tone, “The tub drain in my bathroom is backing up.” “All the time?” I asked. “No, just when we flush the toilet.”

I knew instantly this job would be more than just snaking out a clog. An hour and several bucket loads of unspeakable stench later, my suspicions were confirmed. A rough edge that had been left at one of the joints in the PVC drainpipe had snagged a bit of paper, which over time had escalated into a full-blown, nasty clog. The only way to fix the problem properly was to replace the culprit fittings. Prepping the pipe is just one place a PVC installation can go wrong. The first step is choosing the correct fittings. Here are some tips to keep things flowing smoothly after that.

Cut PVC pipe as square as possible

One of the joys of PVC pipe is that it’s easy to cut. Just about any saw works fine. If I have the room and I’m cutting a lot of pipe, I set up a chopsaw, which gives me a square cut without a lot of burrs. While a reciprocating saw makes a quick cut, extra care has to be taken to keep it square. As a rule of thumb, I try to keep cuts within 1 /8 in. of square, which is especially critical for smaller pipe.

A PVC saw also makes a good cut, and its wide blade is easier to keep square. These saws cost about $15 and have replaceable blades. In a pinch, you also can use a hacksaw. Its small teeth minimize the amount of burr left on the pipe, but a hacksaw is the toughest saw to keep cutting square.

These options are great when there’s room for a saw, but what about in tight quarters or when the pipe that needs cutting is close to other pipes or wires? In these cases, I pull out a cable saw, which is a length of thin wire cable with plastic handles at both ends. Just slip one of the handles around the PVC pipe and pull the cable back and forth perpendicular to the pipe with smooth, easy strokes. The friction of the cable on the pipe literally melts through the PVC. Believe it or not, you can do the same thing with a length of mason’s twine, but it takes a lot longer.

Smooth the edges of the pipe

Cutting PVC pipe always creates burrs on both the inside and outside edges of the pipe. As my neighbor can attest, removing burrs from the inside of the pipe is absolutely necessary to keep waste flowing smoothly to its final destination. Burrs on the outside of the pipe can prevent a proper fit and glue joint.

For more photos and details on PVC pipe, click the View PDF button below. 

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
View PDF

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

6 Ways to Make a Small Lot Live Big

Strategic elements such as fences, framed views, and walled gardens can make constrained lot sizes feel both spacious and private.

Featured Video

Builder’s Advocate: An Interview With Viewrail

Learn more about affordable, modern floating stairs, from design to manufacturing to installation.

Related Stories

  • Smart Deck Spacers
  • Ergonomic Tape Measure
  • Podcast Episode 523: Digital Shower Valves, DIY Foam Outsulation, and Air-Sealing Stem Walls
  • Air-Seal Penetrations With Canned Foam

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Podcast 454: PRO TALK With Greg Palese of Klein Tools
  • Angle Your Drywall Knife for Best Results
  • Must-Have Hand Tools for a Remodeler's Kit
  • Cutting Out Drywall for Doorways
View All

Plumbing

View All Plumbing Articles
  • Close up image of the valve fittings
    Valve Fittings With Individual Shut-off Capabilities
  • Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 21, Carly Carey, Plumber
  • Pipe-Stand Bucket for Plumbing Jobs
    Pipe-Stand Bucket for Plumbing Jobs
  • hot water distribution system retrofit
    Plumbing Upgrade for Faster Hot Water
View All Plumbing Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • 2023 Tool Guide
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2022 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 313 - Feb/March 2023
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
    • Fine Homebuilding Issue #313 Online Highlights
    • Practical System for a Seismic Retrofit
  • Issue 312 - Dec 2022/Jan 2023
    • Tool Test: Cordless Tablesaws
    • Gray-Water System for a Sustainable Home
    • Insulate a Cape Roof to Avoid Ice Dams
  • Issue 311 - November 2022
    • 7 Steps to a Perfect Exterior Paint Job
    • Options for Smarter Home-Energy Tracking
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: James Metoyer
  • Issue 310 - October 2022
    • Choosing a Tile-Leveling System
    • Choosing Between HRVs and ERVs
    • Custom Built-in Cabinets Made Easy
  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept 2022
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell or share my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2023 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in