PVC fittings and pipes are an industry standard for plumbing piping. PVC pipes are the strongest, most durable pipes that offer enough flexibility for any kind of project.
But joining them can seem a bit complicated if you don’t have plumbing experience. Although some rules need to be followed, the whole process isn’t that hard to put into practice once you get the hang of it. The most important thing is to use the best PVC glue and to apply it properly.
In this article, we will show you what type of glue to use for PVC piping, as well as recommending you the 8 best PVC adhesives and primers you can buy!
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- What Glue To Use On PVC Pipes
- Best PVC Glue – Reviews
- Weld-On 10098 705 Industrial Grade PVC Solvent Cement
- Oatey 30251 Rain R Shine 4OZ RainShine Weld Kit
- Gorilla Clear PVC PrimaGlue
- Weld-On 14012 781 PVC Medium-Bodied Cement
- Christy’s Red Hot Blue Glue PVC Pipe Cement
- Oatey 31014 PVC Regular Cement
- Best PVC Primers
- IPS Corporation 10214 Purple P-68 Primer for PVC
- Oatey 30751 House Primers
- What To Look For When Choosing Glue For PVC
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrap Up
If you wish to skip to the recommended glue for PVC, click here.
What Glue To Use On PVC Pipes
Before we go into the reviews of the best PVC glue, we will lay out important steps to take before you start joining the PVC pipes. Be sure to follow the instructions to ensure a proper bond of the PVC and prevent leakage.
Type of Glue
First thing first, what kind of glue will we use? Well, the industry standard and the best performing glue for PVC by a mile is the PVC cement glue.
This cement is specifically designed for welding or joining the PVC piping. Its unique properties make it set fast, prevent leakage, and ensure the longevity of the joints.
The PVC cement is almost always used in combination with a PVC primer. The solvent primer works as a softener and makes the PVC “prepared” for the cement glue. It will make the fitting soft for the glue to its magic.
The glue then welds the fitting and the pipe together and makes the joint inseparable! This process is a substitute for torch welding that is done on pipes.
Any other type of glue, like superglue, epoxy, and similar won’t be adequate for PVC piping and will subsequently weaken and cause leakage.
So, if you want to glue PVC, always use PVC cement and PVC primer combo for long-lasting, leak-free results.
How To Prepare And Glue PVC
There is a preparation process that needs to be followed to ensure a leak-free joint of the fitting.
The first thing that you want to do is to sand or smooth out the edges of the PVC pipes. You can use a grinder or sandpaper for this task. If you don’t have them on hand, simply use a knife. Sand both the inside and the outside of the pipe.
After smoothing the edges, clean the pipe and the fitting thoroughly to remove any debris and residue. Make sure that the pipe is dry before going to the next step.
Now we need to apply the primer to the fitting. There are a couple of different ways of doing this, but they all provide more or less the same results.
Apply the primer to the inside of the fitting first and then to the outside of the pipe. Start applying the cement to the inside of the fitting and the outside of the pipe as well.
After you’ve applied the cement, join the pieces and perform a quarter of a turn. The rotation will ensure that the glue is applied to every part of the pipe. If you cannot rotate the pipe for whatever reason, apply more glue to ensure the proper spread of the glue.
The PVC cement is usually fast setting, and therefore you will need to act quickly when applying.
After joining and rotating the PVC pipes, hold them for at least 60 seconds for the adhesive to set. You want to make sure that the bond is solid and that the parts are joined properly before moving to the next pipe.
Best PVC Glue – Reviews
Now that you know how to join PVC and what kind of glue to use, let’s see which models are the best for PVC. We have picked the 8 best glue and primers that work wonders on PVC!
If you want to skip to the Recommended Primers section, click here.
Our Pick
Weld-On 10098 705 Industrial Grade PVC Solvent Cement
When joining PVC pipes, you want the bond to be strong, resistant, and long-lasting. This is exactly what you get with this industrial-grade Weld-On PVC cement. It’s perfect for gluing PVC!
You can be sure that this cement will do the job on all types of PVC, no matter how rigid. It’s compatible with Type I and Type II PVC and will bond it superbly.
The Weld-On PVC cement is low VOC which means that it doesn’t produce toxic emissions and is environmentally friendly.
This medium-bodied cement is very easy to apply because of its perfect viscosity. The thickness is just right for smooth application and doesn’t spill or create a mess.
You will have to work quickly with this PVC cement as it sets quickly. You won’t have to hold the pipes for too long because of that. The fast-setting properties of this adhesive will save you a lot of time. The curing time for this adhesive is 24 hours. After that, the bond will be rock solid!
The cement is highly resistant. It can withstand temperatures of up to 180 Fahrenheit, making it perfect for any kind of environment.
TheWeld-On PVC cement and any other PVC cement are most efficient when used with a primer. To ensure the strongest possible bond, use a Weld-On 10214 Purple P-68 Primer that is highly compatible with this cement. We wrote a review on this primer later on in the article, you can check it out here.
This high-grade PVC cement is used by many professionals for its incredible strength and reliability. If you want to make sure the job is done the right way, go for this adhesive. It’s by far the best glue for PVC you can buy!
Oatey 30251 Rain R Shine 4OZ RainShine Weld Kit
Do you want to buy the cement and the primer at the same time? This combo from Oatey is a great choice as it contains both components and removes the hassle of finding the compatible primer for your cement.
This kit will make joining PVC pipes super easy! The cement has incredible strength and works on all types of PVC. It works perfectly with the primer to provide you with a solid, leak-free bond.
Both the primer and the cement have specially designed swabs for precise and easy application. They are just the right size for most PVC pipes and will make working with the glue fun and enjoyable experience.
This adhesive and primer combo work great for various PVC applications such as high-pressure fittings and pool plumbing.
The cement sets quickly but allows you enough time to work with it before it dries. The bond will cure in around 24 hours.
We love that this adhesive works in a wet environment and hot temperatures as well. It has great environmental resistance and will work in extreme conditions.
Overall, this combo is an excellent choice if you want to glue PVC. It has everything you need to start working on the project right away.
Gorilla Clear PVC PrimaGlue
This Gorilla PVC glue is unique because it contains the primer and the cement all in one can. It’s a single component glue that bonds PVC excellently.
The Gorilla PVC glue doesn’t require any additional primer, you can start gluing right away! The strength of the glue is phenomenal. It will hold the bond and will prevent any leakage for years!
Being low VOC, this glue has low emissions and isn’t toxic. It is also odorless, unlike other cement PVC adhesives that can give you a headache if you don’t work in a well-ventilated area.
We really love the easy water cleanup feature of this PVC glue. If you make a mess when applying, you can easily clean the excess glue with water and have a nice and clean bond. The glue is clear and dries transparent, another very useful feature for clean, professional-looking bonds.
This medium-bodied adhesive can be used on virtually any type of PVC pipe. It will make a solid, resistant bond without the help of a primer! It’s for sure one of the best PVC adhesives on the market!
Weld-On 14012 781 PVC Medium-Bodied Cement
Here is another Weld-On PVC cement on our list. They are truly a top company when it comes to PVC adhesives, and this is one of their best PVC cement models on the market.
This cement bonds PVC like paper! It’s super resistant, leak-proof, and holds the bond for decades!
It’s mostly used by professional plumbers for its fast setting times and ultra-high bond strength. The joined pipes need to be held for only 30 seconds with this adhesive! After that, the adhesive will set, and you can move on to the next part without wasting any time!
The cement can work on almost all PVC types and can be used for many different plumbing applications. You can safely use it for sewer systems, pool plumbing, or high-pressure systems.
This adhesive has a medium viscosity that makes the application of this glue a breeze. The formula is thick enough for precision but not too much to prolong the setting time. You can achieve expert-like results without wasting any time!
This adhesive is recommended for use in combination with a primer. It works perfectly with Weld-On 10214 Purple P-68 Primer that we reviewed down below. You can go to that section of the article here.
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Christy’s PVC Pipe Cement is an excellent choice for gluing PVC pipes. It holds the bond really well and prevents any leakage.
This cement works on all types of PVC pipes up to 6 inches and is great for pressure plumbing, sewer, pool plumbing, gas, and many more plumbing applications.
The adhesive sets in around 5 minutes and requires the pipes to be held with the hand for around 60 seconds. The full curing time is 24 hours.
This PVC cement has some serious bonding power. The bond will last for a long, long time and won’t leak under any circumstances.
The glue comes in a large 32-ounce packaging, which is great if you intend to glue a lot of PVC pipes. If you prefer a smaller quantity packaging, a 16-ounce version of the adhesive can be found on Amazon here.
All in all, this is a solid PVC glue that is both affordable and high-grade. It will get the job done with no leaks and high strength.
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Oatey 31014 PVC Regular Cement
The Oatey PVC Cement is made specifically for PVC pipe bonding, and it does a great job on it. It will join the PVC pipes and will prevent any leakage.
This cement PVC adhesive has a quick setting time. All you need to do is hold the parts joined for 30 seconds, and that’s it. The pipes will be inseparable and ready to go.
The environmental resistance of this PVC glue is impressive. It will work in both hot and cold temperatures with no issues.
We love how easy-to-use this cement adhesive is. Under the cap, you will find a swab that helps you apply the glue. It will allow you to spread the cement precisely over the fitting for a nice-looking clean result.
This PVC cement is very affordable and provides you with a strong, durable, and resistant bond. It’s available in 4, 16, and 32-ounce packaging.
Best PVC Primers
Since most PVC cement adhesives require a primer for a proper bond, we have made a list of the best primers for PVC that will make your joints strong, durable, and leak-free!
These primers work with most of the popular PVC cement brands and are all excellent choices.
IPS Corporation 10214 Purple P-68 Primer for PVC
The P-68 Primer for PVC from Weld-On is, without a doubt, the best primer for PVC glue on the market!
It will soften the pipe and help the glue to properly stick to the PVC surface. It’s specifically made for use on polyvinyl chloride and will work on all types of PVC pipes.
After the primer, the glue will easily bond the PVC pipes, and the bond will be stronger than welding. That’s why a good primer is essential for quality plumbing work.
This primer is truly fast-acting. It will dry really fast, so you have to be swift when working with it. This feature will help you finish your work sooner than with any other primer.
This primer works with almost any kind of PVC cement glue if applied properly. Make sure to put the primer on the fitting first and then on the pipe, and apply the cement glue right after priming the pipes.
If you use this primer and your PVC joints will be durable, extremely strong, and highly resistant. It’s really a must-have for any serious plumber that values his work.
Oatey 30751 House Primers
This is another great primer to use with PVC cement adhesives. The Oatey 30751 is also compatible with CPVC piping and does a great job on that material.
This primer removes all the dirt and debris from the fitting and softens the PVC surface. It can be used as a cleaning solvent and primer at the same time!
It works with most commercially sold PVC cement adhesives. The bonds will be stronger, last longer, and resist more when you combine your PVC glue with this primer.
The Oatey primer is environmentally safe as it is low VOC. It doesn’t have a strong odor and can be used in confined spaces without making you sick.
One of the advantages of this primer is that it’s transparent and dries clear. This will provide you with much cleaner-looking bonds than when using regular purple primers.
You can even use this primer to tidy up and remove the purple primer residue left on the joints. Many people have reported that it works wonderfully for that purpose also.
We highly recommend this primer if you want to get clean and durable results with PVC pipes. The clear color and great cleaning properties make this primer a worthwhile purchase.
What To Look For When Choosing Glue For PVC
Before we start, let’s first learn a bit more about the PVC material itself so that we can understand the connection with the adhesive better.
What is PVC
PVC is made from polyvinyl chloride and is one of the strongest plumbing piping available on the market. It’s unique because of the properties that make it unbelievably strong but flexible enough for easy cutting.
One of the weaknesses of the PVC material is its weak high-temperature resistance. It can be effectively used up to 140 Fahrenheit but beyond that, it becomes soft and loses strength.
For piping where higher temperature resistance is a must, CPVC pipe might be a better fit as it can resist temperatures of up to 200 Fahrenheit.
Now that we know a bit more about PVC, let’s go through what to look for in your glue for PVC. There are several factors to take into consideration that will make your bonds more durable and resistant.
Drying Time
Drying time is definitely something to pay attention to when choosing glue for PVC.
You always want a quick setting cement that doesn’t require clamping or holding pipes for too long.
The best glue for PVC takes a maximum of 30 seconds for the bond to harden. If you have to wait more than 60 seconds, the job becomes much more painful and longer than it should be.
The curing time of PVC cement is mostly around 24 hours. You should leave the pipes undisturbed for that period of time to ensure the strongest bond.
Viscosity
Viscosity is the resistance of the liquid to flow. High viscosity means a thicker and more gel-like glue that stays in place easier.
For PVC piping, we recommend going for a medium to high viscosity cement glue. Bear in mind that the high viscosity adhesive tends to set slower which might reduce your work speed.
For most people, a medium viscosity adhesive works the best on PVC piping. It’s thick enough for accurate application and doesn’t take ages to dry.
If you think you will need more time to work with the glue, high viscosity might be a better fit for you.
Temperature Resistance
You always want the cement to have good temperature resistance, especially if you live in a particularly hot climate.
Some adhesives won’t hold their bond that well in extreme temperatures which will, in turn, lead to leakage.
PVC pipes work up to 140 Fahrenheit, so we always recommend picking a cement that has the same or higher temperature resistance than PVC.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to glue PVC pipe?
Sand the edges of the PVC pipes you intend to glue. Place the primer on the fitting and the outside of the pipe. Apply PVC cement to the inside of the fitting and outside of the pipe.
Do a quarter of a turn and hold the bond for 30 seconds for the adhesive to set.
Can you glue PVC with Super Glue?
Yes, you can, but the bond won’t be strong, resistant, and reliable. If you want to glue PVC pipes, always use PVC cement and a primer. It’s by far the best performing type of glue for PVC.
Can Gorilla Glue be used on PVC?
The gorilla glue that we recommend using on PVC is the Gorilla Clear PVC PrimaGlue we reviewed in this article. Any other type of gorilla glue won’t work that well with PVC piping.
Wrap Up
That about covers it for everything you need to know about glue for PVC piping.
Remember that you should always adequately prepare the piping and use both primer and cement when bonding pipes.
Use only the strongest, most reliable cement models like the ones we reviewed in this article. You can’t go wrong with any of the 8 adhesives reviewed!
