OK, here is where I need the pros to weigh in a give their best tips on plumbing.
1. What kind of glue do you use
2. Do you use primer
3. Ball valve or slice valve
4. Do you use a cleaner or sandpaper
5. How do you replace a fitting in a tight place you have to save either the fitting or the pipe.
6. Do you leave your glue in your service van and at what point do you throw it away.
Any tricks, tips or opinions are appreciated...Even from those outside the industry.
1) I have used many of the Weld.On products like wet n dry & Hot n Cold both work great. For normal everyday apps I use normal clear Pvc sch 40 cement for spas & pools either sch 40 or Sch80 depending whats there.
2) Always use primer, it not only cleans the pipe & fittings but also softens it up for a better bond. Visible installs I use clear primer. For hidden & multiple connections I will use a colored primer so nothing is missed. (In Canada plumbing apprentices are only allowed to use colored primer)
3) If there's room I prefer a ball valve from Praher. If it has to be a slice Valve then I prefer the serviceable ones from Praher. Knife valves all too often dont close properly & its a pain especially when they are one piece & you cant just take it apart to replace the o-rings or w/e caused the prob.(most of the probs are glue from factory built up in the channel for the divider.)
4) Refer to #2 but I will use open emery cloth for pipe with foam residue on it. Then I will apply primer.
5) To save the fitting a Ram-bit has never failed me along with a Dremel. To save the pipe I have used a pipe extender fitting on flex as well as rigid PVC. They work the best especially when the pipe is under ground. In a spa though you can always cut back more pipe to do it right. The worst I have seen is someone used a Fernco(boot coupling) to join a high pressure connection the result wasnt pretty.
6) Summer is ok to leave glue in Vans as long as your not in the 100's. In the Cold never, it actually changes the structure of the glue & becomes useless. I use a big can of colored primer and a small can of clear. It takes a lot to contaminate primer so it lasts. Glue, I always have an unopened can of wet dry inside & I only use small cans of sch 40 clear then dispose after the job or 5 days if it was only opened to do a couple fittings. Sch 80 glue I will use all summer until it done.(I dont remember the reason why I could use for multiple uses over a long duration but you can)
I managed a pool & spa division for a large plumbing company so I learned quite a bit from the plumbers there. I am not a fan of the one step PVC glue seen to many factory fittings come apart. Always remember when gluing PVC together keep pressure on the joint for 30 secs or it will push itself apart. Oh ya clear primer works wonders for removing silicone, tar and abs glue from your hands.
