How to glue polypropylene pipes: installation and connection of PVC pipes

Polypropylene pipes are mounted using a soldering iron and a trimmer. For this you will also need special attachments and scissors. Installation is not difficult, but it is important to work carefully and carefully check the tightness. Instructions on how to glue polyethylene pipes, as well as useful tips on selecting products depending on their type and diameter, can be found below.

Selection of materials and tools

First of all, you need to decide on the type and diameter of the pipes. The parameters depend on the system on which they will be used:

1. To supply cold water, polypropylene pipes marked PN20 are used. They are the easiest to install.
2. For hot serving - metal-plastic with aluminum insert PP-R. To install them, you will need to trim.
3. If you plan to install risers and pipes for the heating system, water pipes with fiberglass or aluminum inserts are required. They are characterized by maximum strength and can withstand high temperatures up to 90-100 degrees.

To correctly understand how to glue polypropylene pipes, you also need to decide on the diameter:

• water lines suitable for washing machines and dishwashers – from 20 to 25 mm;
• for the heating system – 25 mm;
• for the main drain - from 32 to 40 mm.

Installation is carried out on a welding machine. For work you will need the following tools and materials:

• clamps, clips for fastening;
• set of compensators;
• replaceable nozzles that are put on the welding machine (selected according to diameter);
• scissors for cutting the required pipe fragments;
• construction tape;
• trimmer;
• black marker;
• a set of fittings (couplings of different types, adapter, socket, bypass and others).

Step-by-step instruction

Installation is carried out in several stages. First, you need to clean the pipes themselves, after which you can begin soldering, and then checking for leaks. Instructions on how to install PVC pipes consist of the following steps:

1. Take measurements and cut the water pipes using special scissors.
2. If metal-plastic is used for hot water or heating, trimming is necessary. This is the removal of a layer of aluminum by several millimeters (2-3). The result is a small groove that will provide a sealed joint.
3. Install and secure the welding machine, select a nozzle of the required diameter. Then turn on the device and heat it to 260 degrees. You need to wait a few minutes to reach the desired temperature.
4. In the meantime, cut the pipes with scissors and clean the surface with a napkin, wetted degreaser, do the same with the fitting. A stroke is made at the end of the product with a marker to indicate the depth of welding.
5. When the soldering iron warms up, the two ends of the pipe are simultaneously inserted onto both of its nozzles and pressed tightly.
6. You need to wait a few seconds - the amount of time depends on the diameter of the product (see table). It is important not to rotate the pipes, holding them tightly together.
   

   Diameter of polypropylene pipe	Welding depth	Heating time	Welding time	Cooling time
   16	12-14 mm	5 s	6 s	2 minutes
   20	14-17 mm	6 s	6 s	2 minutes
   25	15-19 mm	7 s	10 s	2 minutes
   32	16-22 mm	8 s	10 s	4 min
   40	18-24 mm	12 s	20 s	4 min
   50	20-27 mm	18 s	20 s	4 min
   63	24-30 mm	24 s	30 s	6 min
   75	26-32 mm	30 s	30 s	6 min

7. Now all you have to do is wait until the seams cool down and make sure that they are sealed. If you inadvertently allow the elements to move, you will have to solder again.
8. You can only cool naturally without using a hair dryer.
9. Next, the pipes are purged with air pressure. It is advisable to use a compressor set to a pressure of 1 atm (1 bar). If there is no equipment, you can simply pass water through the pipe, gradually increasing the pressure and carefully inspect them to ensure there are no leaks.

Gluing pipes is not difficult, the main condition is to work carefully so that the joints are airtight. If you accidentally damage the coupling or, especially, the pipe itself, they should be immediately replaced with new ones. For this reason, you need to purchase a little more materials than you need for the job.