How to Remove PVC Plumbing
PVC pipes are joined by solvents which harden when applied on the surface. With the drying of the glue and primer, it tightens the pipes together. Thus it makes PVC plumbing difficult to be removed. Hammers can be used in removing these pipes but if you only want to remove a joint, hammer will damage other pipes and fittings.
Instead of breaking the pipes with hammer, you can always cut the PVC pipes.
Things Required:
– Gloves
– Bucket or drip pan
– Hacksaw or pipe cutters
– Utility knife or emery cloth
Instructions
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1
Shut off water
First of all you need to turn off the water supply to the PVC pipes which you want to cut. You need to shut the water supply to those pipes or you even shut off water for the whole house until you complete your work. -
2
Collect the trapped water
After shutting off the water to the PVC pipes, you need to collect the water trapped in them. You can place a drip pan or bucket under the PVC pipes which you are intending to remove. -
3
Cut the PVC pipes
Next you need to cut the PVC pipes which you want to remove. You should use a hacksaw in case the pipes you are removing are big. These larger pipes are mainly used for exhaust or drain purposes.
In case you want to cut smaller PVC pipes then you can cut it with pipe cutters. Remember the smaller PVC pipes should be of one inch or lower in diameter if you want to use pipe cutters. -
4
Remove burrs
After cutting the PVC pipes, you need to get rid of the irregular protuberance on the pipes caused by hacksaw. You can do this with help from a utility knife. An emery cloth can also be used for this purpose. -
5
Discard PVC pipes
After cutting off the PVC pipes which you wanted to remove, you need to get rid of it. You can simply put it in a dustbin. You can also donate it to charity organisations or local protection agencies.
Some organisations reuse these pipes or sell it to organisations which recycle it.
