A leaking PVC pipe can be very annoying to deal with. However, the good news is that there are several products you can use to stop the leakages. One of the things that you may consider using is hydraulic cement.
Due to its properties, hydraulic cement may seem like an excellent product to use on leaking PVC pipes. But, before applying it, it’s important to find out if it can bond with PVC. That’s precisely what this article is going to address.
Does Hydraulic Cement Bond to PVC?
Hydraulic cement does have the ability to bond with PVC. It will adhere to and stop leakages. However, if you have any doubts, you can always add something else over the hydraulic cement to ensure the repair lasts long.
Any Concerns You Should Be Aware Of?
If you plan to use hydraulic cement on PVC, you should know that it will work. However, similar to other projects, there are certain concerns you should be aware of.
For instance, you should know that hydraulic cement expands as it cures. In the process, if your PVC pipes are very old, there is a huge chance that they will crack. When that happens, the problem will worsen. This is something you need to take note of.
Secondly, the hydraulic cement may not firmly stick to surrounding materials such as wood. This is another risk that has to be evaluated.
Before applying hydraulic cement to PVC pipes, ensure that they are in excellent condition and won’t burst when the hydraulic cement expands.
Also, you need to ensure that the hydraulic cement dries and holds firmly. For the sake of your peace of mind, you can add an extra layer of protection over the hydraulic cement.
How Long Will Hydraulic Cement Bond to PVC?
If you read through several forums or inquire from other DIYourselfers, you will come across stories of how hydraulic cement leaks when used on PVC after a while. In such scenarios, the problem usually isn’t with the hydraulic cement. But the application process.
In most cases, the PVC pipes are usually located inside the walls. When you notice a leak coming from the PVC, the best thing to do is chisel your way through the wall until you can see the source of the leak.
Most people usually stuff hydraulic cement into the PVC without figuring out where the leak is coming from. Shortcuts always have repercussions.
Without identifying where the leaks in the PVC are coming from, it’s almost impossible to get the hydraulic cement to bond.
Shoving hydraulic cement blindly into the PV isn’t the solution. You are better off taking your time and applying the hydraulic cement to the source of the leak. That will ensure the bond lasts for longer.
Can a Cement Bonding Agent Be of Any Help?
If there is concrete in the surrounding area of the PVC, you can introduce a cement bonding agent. If you have been in the construction industry for a while now, you know that wet cement doesn’t bond to dried concrete.
Therefore, a bonding agent can come in very handy to ensure the hydraulic cement bonds well to plastic and surrounding concrete.
Why Should You Use Hydraulic Cement on PVC?
There is one key feature of hydraulic cement that makes it suitable for this project: its ability to dry in the presence of water.
If there are leaking PVC pipes in your walls, you may be wondering what the best and easiest fix is. As we all know, letting water to seat on your walls can lead to mold development. Also, if you don’t fix the leakages, it can lead to flooding.
Hydraulic cement is capable of sealing PVC in the presence of water. It cures to create a strong bond that will ensure the PVC pipes are no longer dripping water into the walls.
What is Hydraulic Cement?
To better understand hydraulic cement’s ability to bond with PVC, we must define it. These are inorganic materials that react with water to create a hardened and water-resistant finish. The main use of hydraulic cement is to stop leaks in masonry structures.
Over the years, homeowners and builders have been using hydraulic cement as a quick fix for PVC. The main feature that stands out about hydraulic cement is its ability to cure in the presence of water.
Hydraulic cement can be used in various applications such as drainage systems, swimming pools, and marine applications.
Even though hydraulic cement seems like a pretty straightforward product, it has certain requirements if you want it to last longer.
First, it shouldn’t be applied in the presence of contaminants such as grease, dirt, oil, or any chemicals. These will interfere with the bonding of hydraulic cement.
When applying hydraulic cement over PVC, you should clean the area first. Ensure that it’s free of contaminants, and then stuff the cement into the PVC.
That should ensure it holds pretty well. For PVC on walls, you should also ensure that you remove loose particles.
Another pro tip that will ensure the successful bonding of hydraulic cement to PVC is letting the product cure in temperatures ranging from 7 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius.
If it’s too cold, the hydraulic cement may not cure properly. The same also applies when the temperatures are extremely high.
If possible, ensure there is no water flowing inside the PVC pipe during application. Even though hydraulic cement can cure in the presence of water, too much exposure can cause segregation and bleeding.
Why Should You Use Hydraulic Cement on PVC?
Later on, we will list additional methods of dealing with leaking PVC pipes. However, why would one consider using hydraulic cement instead of these other methods? Here are the benefits of using hydraulic cement;
• If applied correctly, hydraulic cement can fix leaky PVC pipes for good. This material dries into a very hard finish that can withstand the test of time.
•, Unlike other methods of dealing with Cracked PVCs, hydraulic cement is very easy to use. It can be used on vertical applications without any complications.
• It hardens very fast, and therefore it should deal with your leaking problem in the shortest time possible.
• Hydraulic cement offers homeowners a cost-effective solution to fixing leaks with their PVC pipes.
The above are some of the advantages of using hydraulic cement on PVCs. There are certain drawbacks you also need to be aware of. First, this product is only usable for ten to fifteen minutes after mixing it up.
Secondly, as we have mentioned earlier, it won’t work on frozen pipes. If the weather is very cold, you are better off waiting until the weather returns to normal before you can use it.
Other Methods of Repairing PVC Pipes
PVC, known in full as polyvinyl chloride, is a lightweight and durable material used to make pipes for plumbing and sewage systems. These pipes are also quite affordable and very easy to install.
Despite all these benefits, PVC is vulnerable to leakages which can occur due to impact or typical wear and tear.
If you have noticed a leak on your PVC pipes, here are other methods you can use to fix them other than using hydraulic cement.
1. Fiberglass Resin Tape or Cloth
If you don’t have some hydraulic cement and want to slow down the leakage of a PVC pipe, you can use fiberglass resin.
This material is water-activated, just like hydraulic cement, and it can be used in the presence of water. It is fairly easy to use.
Just wrap the fiberglass resin on the damaged PVC and apply pressure on it for a while. It should harden and put a stop to the leakage.
You can use fiberglass resin tape or cloth for this type of repair. The tape is for a temporary fix, and it doesn’t require any prep work.
However, if you want a more permanent solution to leaking PVC pipes, you can use the fiberglass resin cloth. You will have to sand the surface of the pipe slightly to create something for the fiberglass resin to adhere to.
2. Epoxy
Another popular alternative to hydraulic cement when dealing with leaking PVC is epoxy. Unlike hydraulic cement, epoxy works best when there is no water on the PVC.
Therefore, you should clean and dry the pipes before applying the epoxy. It should be left to cure for a while before water can be allowed through the PVC pipes.
Epoxies are created differently. Therefore, make sure you follow your manufacturer’s instructions during the application.
3. Rubber and Silicone Repair Tape
These tapes bond to the PVC and use compression to prevent leakage. Please note that these tapes are only temporary fixes.
The rubber and silicone will not last forever. Therefore, you will need to either use fiberglass resin or hydraulic cement at one point.
4. Replacement of the PVC Pipes
At times, it’s important to admit when a PVC pipe is beyond repair. If you have already made several repairs on the PVC, it could be time to get a replacement. If the PVCs are in the walls, you may have to call the professionals for a replacement.