How to Repair a Leaky PVC Pipe Joint - Part 2

How to Repair a Leaky PVC Pipe Joint – Part 2

This repair is continued from Part 1.

Marking the Cuts

The cardboard template made for the Fernco Qwik Ell is centered over the PVC elbow joint and the end positions for the cuts are marked with a blue marker (red arrows).

Marking the Cuts with the Cardboard Template

The section around the 90 degree elbow to be cut out is marked. You can see how the Fernco Qwik Ell will span the old joints.

Section Marked to be Cut Out

Making the Cuts

The big moment! After double and triple checking my measurements, I used a carpenter’s handsaw to make the first cut below the PVC elbow. The handsaw cuts PVC like butter with a nice straight cut.

Making the 1st Cut with a Handsaw

PVC Cable Saw

There was insufficient space to maneuver a saw to make 2nd cut because the PVC pipe was against the drain line for the utility basin and the hot & cold copper pipes were immediately above. I therefore purchased a Brasscraft PVC Cable Saw at Home Depot which requires almost zero clearance to operate.

PVC Cable Saw

The PVC cable saw is roughed section of wire between two handles.

Brasscraft PVC Cable Saw

To make the cut, the PVC cable saw is looped over the pipe and pulled back-and-forth. I had never used one before and was a bit skeptical. It worked fast and easy!

A Pleasant and Somewhat Disappointing Surprise

The PVC cable saw instructions warned the wire would get hot. It go so hot from the sawing friction that it literally melted it’s way through the pipe section – and the pipe semi-fused back together as the wire passed!

As I wiggled the pipe section to separate the saw joint, the 45 degree street elbow popped off! Upon inspection, I found the joint was never glued!! It was simply pressed together and luckily hadn’t leaked. Talk about poor workmanship! Click on the image for a full size view.

Cut Out Section of Leaky PVC Pipe

The Quick and Simple Way

In retrospect, the simple and easy way is to just make the cuts against both sides of the 90° elbow joint. No measuring, no cardboard templates and no fuss. The Fernco Qwik Ell is made longer than a the standard PVC elbow to span the gap for just this type of repair.