How to solder a pipe with water - Metals and their processing

How to fix a leak in a plastic pipe - options for sealing the leak

To seal the place where a pipe is leaking at the junction, a home craftsman needs to have only minimal skills in carrying out construction work. The most important thing is to choose the optimal repair method and eliminate the leak as soon as possible.

Plastic pipe products are considered one of the best materials for arranging water supply systems in a private household or on a summer cottage. Laying such a light-weight pipeline takes a minimum of time.

The main disadvantage of such systems is that if the installation is performed poorly, a leak appears at the junction of polypropylene pipes, and in addition, they begin to poorly resist mechanical damage.

Signs of a leak

If the pipes become damp, droplets of moisture similar to dew appear at the fittings, or the pressure in the system drops sharply, the property owner should pay attention to the condition of the plumbing structure and take appropriate measures.

When a plastic pipe leaks at the junction, and measures are not taken in a timely manner, even a small trickle of water can cause a lot of trouble. It can get on household appliances, electrical wiring, or ruin new renovations in the apartment below.

Eliminating leaks at pipe junctions

To repair a heating or plumbing plastic structure, a minimum number of tools is required. Any property owner can study information on how to fix a plastic pipe leak at a joint and easily complete the job. The main thing is to choose the best option for troubleshooting and eliminate it in the shortest possible time.

The first thing that should be done when repairing a water supply system is to stop the water supply to the entire system or to a separate area where there is a leak. The flow should be shut off before the leak appears. If the system is multi-circuit, turn off the liquid supply to the circuit being repaired and close the diverter valve in a local section of the water supply structure.

Then they only begin restoration measures. Next, the optimal method in this situation is selected to eliminate the leak at the junction of polypropylene pipes. The main criteria in this case are the elimination of the accident in the minimum time and the elimination of the hole or crack formed with the highest quality possible.

Reasons for leaks

A common problem with plastic pipelines is the lack of tightness in the places where the sections were connected. There are several explanations why plastic pipes leak at the junction. This largely depends on the method of laying them, the type of fittings, and the qualifications of the technician.

The main causes of leaks are:

Incorrectly selected temperature conditions for soldering plastic water pipes. This violation contributes to the destruction of the integrity of the connection at the junction of the pipe into the fitting and back. As a result, a leak forms. During the repair process, it is necessary to cut out the entire assembly and reassemble the connection from new parts. The use of sealant in this case is pointless.
Loosening the clamp nut. It will not be difficult to deal with the leak (you need to tighten it), but only if the internal gasket and the fitting itself are intact. It will not be possible to cover the nut with sealant - if it has burst, it should be replaced with a new product.
Poorly pressed compression fitting. It can be sold complete with a pipe. If such a joint begins to leak, then pressing in a new connecting type fitting will be required. Manufacturers of these parts do not recommend using pliers to repeatedly crimp the same shrink ring.
Pipe not properly prepared. The joint of pipeline sections made by using push-on fittings will leak when the cut on the product was not smooth.
The joint of plastic pipes leaks if it is made using an incorrectly selected adhesive joint or the time interval after completion of installation is not maintained - the glue has not dried, which means the surface has not had time to polymerize to a state of complete tightness. You need to select high-quality glue for plastic pipes for water supply and repeat the connection.

Options for repairing holes in a plastic pipeline

Source: https://trubaspec.com/montazh-i-remont/kak-ustranit-tech-v-plastikovoy-trube-varianty-zadelki-protechki.html

Do-it-yourself welding of polypropylene pipes

The welded connection of polypropylene pipes is characterized by higher reliability compared to other methods of combining products with each other. This connection technology does not have any differences when working with polypropylene. The only exception is reinforced products: their installation requires some specific features.

This technique is quite simple.
Welding can be carried out at home, observing the requirements of the technological process and having the entire arsenal of necessary tools. There are several options for connecting polypropylene pipes:

diffusion soldering;
soldering with electrical fittings;
cold welding.

In this article we will talk about each method of combining cylindrical products in more detail, consider their advantages and disadvantages, and also learn how to properly solder polypropylene pipes.

Welders

Before you begin, you need to prepare the installation tool. To create a reliable joint between the structures and all additional parts, you will need a special soldering iron.

It is worth noting that sometimes the connection of products made of polypropylene is called welding. However, this process has many varieties, so it is important to remember that polypropylene pipes are connected in only one way - soldering. For the installation of such a system, threaded fittings and metal-plastic are not used.

Soldering polypropylene pipes requires the use of welding machines. There are several types of devices on sale:

heater with a round cross-section;
flat unit.

The second type of soldering machine is popularly called an iron, which is largely due to its appearance. Such devices differ only in their design.

For the first model, Teflon nozzles are put on the heater and fixed with parts similar to clamps. In the second device, the same nozzles are screwed to the heater on both sides. The rest of the design elements are no different. The main function of the device is to perform high-quality and reliable soldering of polypropylene products.

The set of soldering devices must include nozzles. The most inexpensive device, the set of which includes a minimum number of elements, is considered to be a Chinese soldering iron. Its power does not exceed 800 W. It is presented for sale together with a stand, as well as attachments that allow soldering of PP pipes with a cross-section of 20-32 mm.

When the heating system of a private house is made of cylindrical products of this diameter, this kit will be quite sufficient. But if more professional work involving soldering is expected, you will need a better device.

For pipes with a cross-section of 40-63 mm, a different soldering kit is required. It will have to be purchased separately. The most expensive sets, characterized by increased reliability, are manufactured in large European countries. Their kit includes the following parts:

soldering iron;
stand;
Teflon nozzles of different diameters;
scissors that allow you to cut pipes at 90 degrees;
hexagon;
Phillips screwdriver;
roulette;
gloves.

Since you have to work with hot equipment to solder polypropylene pipes, you must wear gloves when performing the operation. Beginners often get burned when touching the heating element.

The design of any soldering iron is designed so that it is possible to install several nozzles at once for connecting small-diameter pipes, which saves time, especially when working with products with a cross-section of 20-40 mm.

Soldering machine power

To evenly and quickly heat a pipe with a diameter of 63 mm, greater system power is required. For domestic purposes, a device with a value that determines the amount of energy not exceeding 0.7-1 kW will be sufficient.

If the power of the iron is more than 1 kW, it becomes professional. Its cost is much higher than the price of an ordinary soldering iron.

Soldering iron for polypropylene pipes

It is not recommended for a beginner to purchase such a device. It can be made from iron and appropriate materials, saving a significant amount.

Method one

To make a homemade soldering iron you will need:

a broken old iron that still has a heating element;
children's metal construction set;
rubber handle;
toggle switch;
asbestos cord;
duralumin;
insulating tape.

Manufacturing technology

use a grinder to cut off all unnecessary parts from the bottom of the iron;

an aluminum cover is made;
a box is assembled from the construction kit; a light bulb and a rubber handle are installed in it;
a toggle switch and a soldering iron regulator are connected to the wire;

all parts are combined into one whole;
cables are soldered;
The heating element is bolted to the body, having previously placed an asbestos gasket.

Thus, after spending a little time using available material, you become the owner of a homemade soldering iron for welding PP pipes.

Source: https://VseProTruby.ru/pajka/svarka-pp-trub.html

How to properly solder plastic pipes for water supply - Ice advice

Polypropylene is a popular material that is widely used in many construction and installation fields. And the water supply was no exception.

Polypropylene lines are characterized by corrosion resistance, long service life, good thermal conductivity and tightness. The last criterion depends entirely on how correctly the soldering of plastic pipes is carried out. And you heard right.

Polypropylene, unlike polyvinyl chloride, is necessary and can simply be soldered into a single structure using a special welding machine for polymers.

On how to use an iron (as a soldering iron for plastic is called in craftsman circles) and how to properly solder a plumbing system, see our material below with detailed video instructions.

Types of polypropylene for water supply

In order to, following the instructions, solder the entire water supply system with its long-term operation, it is advisable to understand what type of pipes the master works with

In order to, following the instructions, solder the entire water supply system with its long-term operation, it is advisable to understand what type of pipes the master is working with. After all, polypropylene is divided into four categories, each of which is intended for use in certain conditions. Failure to follow operating instructions will negate all the efforts of the technician, and the water supply will ultimately fail.

So, polypropylene pipes come in four types:

Tubes marked PN 10. Thin-walled material of small diameter, intended for use at temperatures up to 45 degrees. Can be used in a cold water system or underfloor heating.
Tubes marked PN 16. You should be extremely careful here. Polypropylene of this category can be used either under conditions of high pressure in communications, but for cold water, or at low pressure in a hot water network.
The PN 20 marking allows the use of plastic pipes for the construction of any pipeline operating at a temperature not exceeding +80 degrees.
PN 25 tubes are the same aluminum or fiberglass reinforced tubes suitable for installing a hot water supply system. Here the material can be used at temperatures up to 95 degrees Celsius.

In addition, it is worth understanding that all polypropylene pipes of any category may be sold in different colors. Color doesn't matter, other than black. This color of the pipes indicates that the PP tube is highly protected from UV radiation.

Pipe soldering machine

Soldering plastic pipes can only be done using a special tool - a soldering iron.

The household unit is shaped like a kind of iron on a stand.

Its heating base (mirror) is capable of warming up to temperatures above 260 degrees, which allows you to melt (solder) the polymer for a high-quality connection.

The heating base has places for attaching attachments. As a rule, in a household device, 2-3 attachments can be attached to the sole at the same time. Their diameter depends on the configuration that the purchased tool originally had. But most often these are nozzles with a diameter of 16-32 mm.

You can solder plastic pipes with your own hands using either a sword-shaped apparatus or a cylindrical one. The quality of soldering will be unchanged and equally good if you follow the instructions.

Preparatory stage

Before soldering plastic pipes (metal-plastic, PVC), you need to prepare all the material and tools

Before soldering plastic pipes (metal-plastic, PVC), it is necessary to prepare all the material and tools.
First of all, you should prepare a pipe cutter, a marker and a tape measure. Using such tools, the tube will be marked and cut into individual elements.
After all the metal-plastic and PVC parts of the future system have been cut, it is necessary to thoroughly clean with alcohol all places of intended connections, including couplings and fittings.

Recommendations for performing soldering correctly

The soldering process begins no earlier than 5-10 minutes after turning on the soldering iron

For those who do not know how to properly solder plastic pipes (metal-plastic/PVC) at home with their own hands, you should adhere to the following recommendations when performing work:

The soldering process begins no earlier than 5-10 minutes after turning on the soldering iron. It should warm up to the set temperature.
Polypropylene pipes with a diameter of up to 40 mm can be successfully soldered using a sword-shaped apparatus. For larger diameter tubes it is better to use a more professional centering unit.
After heating the polymer (PVC or metal-plastic), pieces of soft plastic will remain on the Teflon coating of the nozzles. It is advisable to remove them immediately with a wooden spatula. It is impossible to clean off polymer residues on a cooled nozzle or using metal devices. There is a risk of damaging the Teflon coating and, as a result, damaging the part.

Soldering process

Solder polypropylene (PVC) elements of the water supply system with your own hands in several stages

So, solder polypropylene (PVC) elements of the water supply system with your own hands in several stages:

A soldering iron is installed on the platform and securely fixed. The device is set to the desired temperature. For polypropylene it is 260 degrees, for polyethylene - 220.
Before turning on the soldering iron, attach nozzles of the required diameter to the platform.
As soon as the device warms up, you can take a piece of tube and a fitting under it and put it on the nozzle. We maintain the parts in accordance with the diameter of the elements (see recommendations below).
As soon as all parts of the pipeline are thoroughly heated, stand firmly and slowly join the parts until they fit tightly. Leave the communication section until it cools completely. All parts of the communication need to be soldered in this way.

After the pipes are soldered and cooled, you can blow water or air through them to check the tightness of the connection.

Source: https://LEDsovet.ru/kak-pravilno-paiat-plastikovye-tryby-dlia-vodoprovoda/

Methods for connecting plastic pipes without soldering

You can often see plastic pipes in apartments and private houses. The demand for such products in the last decade is justified by their low price, long service life and fundamental impossibility of rusting.

You can connect plastic pipes to each other not only with a soldering iron, but also by alternative methods - using flanges, fittings, couplings or by gluing.

Features of solderless connections

Connecting plastic pipes without soldering will not require large financial expenses. And you won’t have to get expensive soldering equipment from somewhere (obviously, not everyone has it) either.

It is worth admitting that the soldering process itself seems very complicated to some. A person must be able to properly handle a soldering machine, set the required pressure and temperature, and select solder. In general, in order to solder pipes efficiently, you really need to know a lot of nuances.

There is also an option such as soldering polypropylene pipes without a soldering iron. To do this, you simply take solder paste (this is a mixture of flux, solder powder and lubricant sold ready-made), apply it to the joint and heat it up. Moreover, instead of a soldering iron, it is proposed to use a gas burner or lighter. But this method may also cause rejection for some, since here you have to deal with open fire.

Let's imagine a force majeure situation: there was a break in a plastic water pipe. It can take a long time to restore its seal by soldering. And restoring the tightness of pipes connected without soldering can be carried out much faster - this is a really important advantage.

Connection with fittings

To connect plastic pipes without soldering, press fittings (also known as compression fittings) or new Belgian push fittings, which are actually fixed by themselves, are very often used.

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Standard press fittings are usually made from steel alloy or cast iron. And they are best used for polypropylene or other plastic pipes of small diameter. The advantage of these plumbing products is that they can be used to build transitions between pipeline elements and connect them at different angles.

Most often, fittings are installed on bends and branches of a plastic pipeline. An ordinary press fitting consists of a main body, a cover, a sleeve and two rings: a clamping ring (it is located in a special socket) and a seam ring (it is used to fix the plastic pipe).

If we are talking about fittings with a diameter of less than fifty millimeters, then they can be installed manually, without additional devices and equipment. And one more important rule. The plastic pipe must first be prepared before installing the fitting - cut, remove burrs, clean from dust and degrease. Such preparation must be carried out in any case, regardless of the chosen connection method.

After the plastic product is brought into an acceptable condition, you need to install a nut on it, previously removed from the fitting. Next, a clamping ring is put on this nut. Now you can insert the pipe into the fitting as far as it will go and secure it. The same actions must be done with the second pipe being connected.

Using flanges

You can connect plastic pipes with flanges without soldering. This joint is considered very reliable - metal flanges can withstand enormous positive temperatures and high pressure.

Today, even large-diameter pipelines are equipped with flanges. They provide a really strong connection.

Flanges for assembling household plastic pipelines are always threaded on one side only. As a rule, they are designed for a pressure of 1.6 MPa. At the same time, in stores you can find flange options with different sections - from 20 to 1200 mm.

The connection algorithm using flanges is quite simple. First of all, you need to carefully pull the flange onto the pipe and put on the rubber sealing gasket. The gasket should extend beyond the edge of the plastic pipe no more than one centimeter. Then the flange is carefully pushed onto this gasket.

At the next stage, joining with exactly the same flange of another plastic pipe is carried out. And the bolts here should be tightened very carefully. If you apply too much force, the plastic surface may crack.

Using couplings

An ordinary coupling for plastic pipelines is a fairly simple part in its design. It consists of:

cast iron body;
two nuts;
rubber gaskets;
four metal washers.

The coupling can be found at the nearest plumbing store, or, if you have certain skills and knowledge, you can make it yourself. In this case, the characteristics of the coupling must strictly correspond to the dimensions of the products being connected. Ordinary couplings are suitable for both pressure plastic pipelines and pipelines without pressure. With their help, they provide a reliable connection of polypropylene without the use of a soldering iron.

To form a connection, the ends of the pipes must be inserted into the coupling so that they touch in the middle. The ends must pass through washers, gaskets and nuts. Then you need to tighten the nuts tightly so that the pressure on the gaskets is strong enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooY-UcQuIbU

Joining plastic pipes with a coupling provides a 100% sealed seam, even without the use of soldering. But in certain cases, for example, if the pipe is short or adjacent directly to the floor (or other horizontal surface), it is not possible to install an ordinary coupling.

For such difficult cases, a clamping coupling was invented. How to use it? First you need to clean the edge of the plastic pipe. Then you need to unscrew the coupling and put all the fastening parts on the plastic product in the correct sequence. Moreover, the sealing ring should ultimately be located at a distance of at least one centimeter from the edge of the product.

Then you need to insert the body of the clamping coupling into the end of the plastic pipe. And then you need to move all the existing rings to this body and tighten the bolt. And to the thread located on the other side of the coupling, it will be necessary to attach an “American” fitting with a plastic pipe connected to it.

To control the strength of the connection, you must carefully pull the coupling towards you, holding the pipe to which it is attached with your free hand. The coupling must remain stationary. If it moves, it means that the wrong size part was selected. That is why it adheres so poorly to the pipeline. However, this is easy to fix - you just need to tighten the threads.

Gluing method

Plastic pipes can also be glued, although many plumbers consider this method extremely unreliable. And therefore, in practice, glue for connecting pipes is used only in combination with fittings.

Before applying the glue, the pipe is cut and any burrs on it are removed. You also need to remove dust from it and thoroughly degrease those areas where glue is supposed to be applied (that is, you will have to buy a special degreasing agent). Then you need to insert the pipe into the fitting to check how well they fit together.

Now you can apply a thin layer of glue to the place of future contact. Immediately after this, the pipe is inserted into the fitting all the way and held in this position for about two minutes so that the glue sets. And the remaining glue that appears on the outer surface is removed with a cloth.

The glue will dry in about 15-20 minutes. However, you only need to let water (or anything else) through the pipeline no earlier than after 24 hours.

Some types of plastic (for example, polypropylene) are very difficult to glue. In order for polypropylene parts to fit together well, you will have to purchase high-quality glue specifically designed for this material.

We can conclude that there are plenty of ways to connect plastic pipes without soldering. The most reliable of them is considered to be the coupling method, and gluing helps only in an emergency situation and must be used with caution.

Source: https://svaring.com/soldering/praktika/soedinenie-plastikovyh-trub-bez-pajki

High-quality soldering of polypropylene pipes in hard-to-reach places - Prof Pipes

When completely replacing old metal pipes with new polypropylene pipes, difficulties often arise with their articulation in places that are not entirely suitable for welding operations.

If you decide to update the pipeline yourself, you should familiarize yourself with how welding of polypropylene pipes in hard-to-reach places is organized with the presence of one or another auxiliary tool.

Necessary tool

First of all, we note that to obtain good quality pipe connections you will need a special welding device - a soldering iron for polypropylene pipes with a set of Teflon nozzles.

In addition, to solder polypropylene pipes you may need the following working tool:

a cutter for polypropylene pipes (sometimes it is included with a soldering iron);
means for degreasing the soldering area;
rags, tape measure, file and ruler;
corner, knife, marker or pencil;
set of fittings.

Welding methods

Soldering of polypropylene pipes can be done in several ways, the choice of each of which is determined by the working diameter of the pipe blanks. The following options are possible:

The butt welding method is selected for pipes with walls more than 4 mm thick and a diameter of about 50 mm. It is used very rarely in domestic conditions.
The socket method is used for pipes with a diameter of less than 40 mm. Requires a special welding mechanism with a centering device.
The saddle soldering method involves the formation of a butt joint by welding a special socket saddle to the pipe at a right angle. After drilling the seat, an “extension” of the pipe is welded to the joint, resulting in a kind of T-shaped adapter.

Working with pipes in “inconvenient” places

Soldering pipes in hard-to-reach places is naturally somewhat more difficult than using straight pipe runs. At the same time, you will have to spend a lot of effort to ensure favorable conditions for working in such areas.

All so-called inconvenient places can be reduced to the following options:

ceiling space;
sections of the route where welding work is extremely difficult (due to cramped conditions for placing a soldering iron);
soldering of pipeline elements located in the corners;

Next we will consider each of these cases separately.

When working with pipes laid very close to the wall, you can use a special technique that consists of sequentially heating the direct and mating parts of the joint being formed with a soldering iron. In this case, their heating time will need to be increased to such values that when working with the mating part, the previously heated flange of the straight part of the workpiece does not have time to cool down.

Soldering in corners

Blanks for corner pipe joints are always cut only at right angles; at the same time, their ends must be cleaned and degreased. To obtain a smooth line for pipe wiring in corner areas, it is recommended to use special corner adapters and fittings.

When forming corner sections of pipes located very close to the wall, the technique already described above of sequential heating of the direct and mating parts of the joint is used. In this case, it is very important to accurately mark with a marker the depth of entry of the supply pipes into the body of the mounted corner element.

In conclusion, we note that the design of polypropylene pipe joints in “inconvenient” places will require close attention and great precision.

If there is the slightest deviation in the shape of the joint from its normal appearance (curvature, for example), it should be urgently replaced with a new one.

Experts advise not to disconnect the welding machine from the network while working in difficult places, keeping it on all the time. The video below will help you better understand pipe soldering technology.

This video shows how to solder polypropylene pipes in hard-to-reach places:

This video shows how to weld polypropylene pipes in hard-to-reach places without a soldering iron:

Source: https://profpipe.ru/ustanovka/kachestvennaya-pajka-polipropilenovyh-trub-v-trudnodostupnyh-mestah.html

How to solder plastic pipes correctly and reliably?

The range of construction products is growing every year. Modern materials are appearing on the market that make construction stages easier and increase worker productivity. Consumers tend to use pipelines with a long service life when planning internal systems in their homes. Plastic internal communications branches have become a suitable alternative that meets consumer needs. How to solder plastic pipes?

Another advantage of such technologies is the ability to independently repair or replace water supply and heating networks. How to solder plastic pipes for water supply?

Let's understand the types

Metal-plastic Polyethylene

Such communications are divided into subtypes:

Polyethylene - used for laying wiring inside buildings and external routes. They can be used on high-pressure pipe connections and at low ambient temperatures.
PVC is used to reduce the cost of repairs.
Metal-plastic ones are the most practical products, with a useful life of more than 50 years. Ideal option for replacing hot water supply.

The widespread use of this material is due to a number of reasons. Positive properties of such structures, in contrast to metal ones:

Long service life.
Low corrosivity.
Easy to install.
Does not require special skills.
Environmentally friendly material.
Economical and easy to use.
Lightweight and easy to transport.
Resistant to the harmful effects of microorganisms.

Your water supply

Coupling assembly Soldering

Polyethylene models are mounted using the welded method or using couplings/fittings (coupling assembly). How to solder plastic pipes for water supply?

For new water supply networks, products made of PVC and polyethylene without reinforcement or reinforcement are suitable. Preparation requires creating a diagram of the future water supply indicating the lengths of the branches, its position and all the fittings necessary for installing the structure. Correct calculation of the lengths and number of bends will simplify the technology, increase the speed of task completion and prevent rework.

Soldering iron Pipe cutter

To solder polyethylene connections you will need:

Soldering iron.
Pipe cutter
A trimmer for cutting pipes and trimming the edges of cut ends.
Fine sandpaper for cleaning edges
Connecting coupling (if coupling assembly)

The heating device is a special device with a sole with special nozzles of various diameters attached to it. There are devices that include two or more attachments at the same time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SrQF0a8G2I

The stages of technology for laying hydraulic communications will tell you how to learn to solder:

We measure the required length with a tape measure.
Use a pipe cutter to cut the measured length.
Trim the cut ends. This is an important step in soldering. The cuts must be smoothly sanded and cleaned. To be more sure, you can additionally degrease it with an alcohol solution.
We solder the ends. If a coupling connection is used when installing life support networks, then we install a coupling/fitting at one end of the structure and heat it together with the future return in a soldering iron nozzle of the required diameter. After warming up, immediately connect the ends and wait for the assembly to cool completely. The quality of welding is indicated by the presence of a shoulder.

Attention! When installing heat and water supply using a soldered seam, it is strictly forbidden for water or moisture to fall into the cavity or onto the surface. When heated, water, turning into steam, deforms the plastic structure, as a result of which it loses its strength.

What to pay attention to

Temperature conditions for soldering are described in the instructions for the tool. Modern products have an automatic heating mode depending on the size of the installed network and the welding depth. On previous brands, the heating strength was selected manually.

At what temperature should plastic pipes be soldered? When soldering polyethylene risers, we set the temperature regulator at around 220 ° C, for polypropylene risers - 260 ° C. There is an indicator on the heating mechanism that shows the device is ready for use. The indicator lights up only in heating mode.

The duration of soldering depends on the circumferential radius of the pipeline, and can range from 5 to 40 seconds. The ends should not be overheated. This can cause a blockage to form at the adhesion site.

If you need to install a water supply of the same size, you should not overpay for the number of nozzles and the presence of a temperature mechanism.

If you plan a large volume of long-term production using networks of various sizes around the circumference, then we purchase a universal device for connection with the latest technical capabilities and characteristics.

Soldering nuances

Knowing the technology for connecting autonomous communications is not enough. For high-quality installation, you need to know a number of features of laying and soldering housing branches. How to solder plastic pipes correctly? To ensure professional assembly of technological buildings, it is necessary to remember some connection nuances:

A warm-up time is provided for soldering assembly. This time ranges from 5 to 20 minutes.
The production of in-house life support should be carried out at temperatures above zero.
After soldering the ends, it is necessary to prevent them from scrolling or moving; it is enough to smoothly eliminate distortions. You need to let them cool. Turning the weld seam may cause a leak in the future. It takes the same amount of time to cool down as it does to solder it.
The required power of the soldering tool is 1200 W.
Home soldering irons are designed for soldering wires with a diameter of up to 32 cm. If you need to assemble products of large diameter, then we purchase a professional soldering device.
There should be no gaps between the edge of the pipeline and the internal thread of the fitting. Gaps can leak under high water pressure. Excessive force when compressing elements can lead to a decrease in the clearance in the cavity and impair the performance of the entire structure.
Residues of material from the nozzles should be removed after each pack produced. Since the nozzles have a special coating, carbon deposits should be removed with a wooden device so as not to damage the integrity of the surface. Scratches on the surface of the nozzle will worsen the technological characteristics of the device and render it unusable for further use.

Thinking about how to make heating?

Installation of heat supply has a number of difficulties. Heating models can be installed in rooms with low temperatures, which complicates the soldering process. For heat supply, systems are developed depending on the temperature of the water supplied to the system and the operating pressure. The use of plastic in construction has increased productivity and reduced costs for the necessary material.

Heating pipes are reinforced with fiberglass, which makes this material strong and durable.

Health protection and working conditions

When carrying out work related to heating heating main joints, we follow safety rules to prevent injuries and burns:

We solder using special protective gloves.
We monitor the cleanliness of the floor in the room. Dirt will negatively affect the quality of welding and the appearance of the entire structure.
The soldering iron is installed on a flat horizontal surface.
It is necessary to start working after the device has completely warmed up and after the readiness indicator has turned off.
We do not turn off the electrical outlet during the entire installation.

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Soldering plastic pipes with your own hands is not difficult. The soldering process does not require professional skills or experience. Anyone can install life support networks in their own home.

The mandatory composition of the required tool includes only a soldering device. The remaining auxiliary tools can be replaced with improvised means, a pipe cutter - with a sharp knife.

A pipeline made of polyethylene structures and PVC is a reliable, durable and environmentally friendly system for supplying water and heating.

We recommend video: Secrets of installing polypropylene pipes

Source: https://VashPlastik.ru/santehnika/kak-pajat-plastikovye-truby

How to eliminate a leak in a plastic pipe: methods and methods

Modern, reliable and practical plastic pipes are an excellent solution for arranging a water supply system in a country house or in a private home. Their advantage is quick installation and low weight of the pipeline system, ease of system modernization and pipe repair. The disadvantage of plastic pipes is that a poorly soldered joint inevitably loses its tightness, and the pipes themselves (with the exception of reinforced ones) are poorly resistant to mechanical damage.

A leak can appear in any type of plastic pipe.

The first signs of a leak and how to eliminate it

Wet pipes, the appearance of drops of water similar to dew in the area of the fittings, or a sharp drop in pressure in the system directly warn the owner that it is time to pay attention to the plumbing system and fix the problem with your own hands. If the leak is not eliminated in time, then even a small trickle of water can cause a lot of harm, getting on electrical appliances, power lines or newly renovated neighbors living on the floor (or even several floors) below.

To repair a plumbing or heating system made of plastic pipes, you will need minimal practical skills and a set of special tools. An amateur can easily repair a plastic pipe with his own hands, but for a professional, repairing a leak that suddenly appears will not be difficult at all.

Important! The main task of the installer-repairer is to choose the most optimal way to eliminate the malfunction and eliminate the leak as quickly as possible.

The appearance of moisture on the pipes may indicate depressurization of the system

The first action an installer must take when repairing a water main is to shut off, if possible, the water supply to the system or area to be repaired.

Once the leak area has been localized or the water supply has been stopped, restoration work can begin. Next, the best option is selected to eliminate leaks in plastic pipes.

Mandatory conditions - the leak must be eliminated in the minimum time, and the detected pipe crack or hole must be repaired as efficiently as possible.

Important! It is necessary to shut off the water supply in front of the area where a leak is detected. In a multi-circuit system, in order to eliminate a leak, it is enough to turn off the water supply directly to the circuit being repaired, also closing the diverter valve of the local section of the water supply system.

How to seal holes in a plastic pipe - repair options and causes of leaks

The most common problem with plastic plumbing is loss of tightness at pipe joints. Leaks occur for various reasons, depending on the type of pipe installation, the type of fittings used and the skill level of the installer, for example:

incorrectly selected temperature conditions during soldering of plastic water pipes lead to destruction of the integrity of the pipe-fitting-pipe transition. A leak appears, and to repair the system you have to cut out the entire assembly and install it from new components. It will not be possible to seal the connection with sealant;
loosening the nut. Fixing a leak in a tightening fitting with your own hands (just tighten the clamping nut) is not difficult if the internal tabs are intact and the nut itself has not burst. It will also not be possible to seal such a fitting with sealant, and if it is damaged, it must be replaced;
poorly pressed crimp fitting. It can also be used in conjunction with a plastic pipe, and if such a joint leaks, a new connecting fitting must be pressed in. Manufacturers of fittings of this type strongly recommend not to crimp the same shrink ring twice with special pliers;
pipe not properly prepared. A pipe joint made using the sliding fitting method will inevitably leak if the pipe cut is uneven;
Joints of plastic pipes made using the adhesive method leak due to an incorrectly selected type of adhesive, or when the interval after installation work before putting the system into operation is too short. The glue has not dried, and the surface of the joints does not have time to polymerize until completely sealed.

The most reliable way to repair a damaged line is to replace the damaged section with a new plastic pipe, securely welded through fittings to the main system. But it is not always possible to implement the high-temperature connection method, and then other methods are used to repair the pipeline.

Using a clamp, you can quickly eliminate water leaks

Clamp clamp. A temporary method to stop leaks is to use clamp clamps. By adding a layer of waterproof plastic material to the clamp with screw clamps, it is possible to almost completely eliminate leakage.

The good thing about this method is that water will flow freely through the plumbing system. This is faster and more reliable than simply caulking or sealing a leaky pipe.

This repair method does not require turning off the water supply; the only drawback is the inevitable weakening of the clamp attachment points over time and loss of the tightness of the connection.

Cold welding. Before covering up leaks in plastic pipes, it is necessary to prepare the required amount of the component for work: carefully knead the required amount of the substance in your hands, or mix in the proper proportions. Apply to the damaged area, carefully seal the crack in the pipe and wait until the composition completely hardens.

Adhesive bandage. A pair of clamping clamps together with a material impregnated with an adhesive composition (two-component glue + rubber for polypropylene pipes or bandage + cement for sewer pipes) will help you quickly eliminate a leak with your own hands. Advantages: the water supply can not be turned off. The disadvantage of this method is that it is prohibited to use an adhesive bandage for systems with high pressure.

Adhesive (sealing) tape. A good option for a quick repair if it is not possible to cover a small hole with sealant. The tape is applied to the damaged area in several layers.

As a temporary but fairly reliable measure, you can use adhesive pipe tape

Special sealant. This is another quick method to fix a leak at the junction of a plastic pipe. But this is more likely a temporary solution than a quality repair.

Important! Any of the selected methods for restoring the tightness of a section of a water supply system or pipe joints requires preliminary preparation of the pipe itself. The pipe is degreased, cleaned, and, if necessary, the joint of the future connection of the pipe and fittings is processed.

There are three types of sealing compounds:

neutral type of sealant, suitable for all types of pipes, applied with a mounting gun;
acid sealant, but it is not used on fragile pipes and on pipelines transporting acids;
silicone sealant is a universal composition used for sealing socket joints at the junction of sewer pipes.

In the case of heating systems, which can also be installed from polypropylene pipes, it is somewhat more difficult to eliminate the leak.

As a rule, part of the system is laid using a hidden installation method, and before sealing plastic pipes that were accidentally damaged during construction work or failed naturally, it is necessary to determine exactly where in the installed system the pipe is flowing. And to do this, you need to dismantle the decorative panels or, in the worst case, open the wall covering.

Source: http://TrubaMaster.ru/montazh-i-remont/kak-ustranit-tech-v-plastikovoj-trube.html

High-quality repair of copper pipes with your own hands

All equipment for repairing copper pipes can be purchased at a hardware store.

The need to repair copper pipes usually arises spontaneously when a leak or fistula is discovered in them.

If the problem is not critical, then the owner has several hours or even days to call a technician or fix the problem himself.

Experts categorically do not recommend postponing repair work until later, because the likelihood that the situation will have irreversible consequences is very high.

Why does a leak form?

When installing a heating or water supply system, many people do not even think about what could cause the problem. Ultimately, this no longer matters, however, only when installing the system, possible risk factors must be taken into account.

Before repairing copper pipes, it is worth studying the recommendations of specialists.

The main ones include:

Mechanical damage. The pipeline often suffers from carelessly moved furniture, tricks of household members, etc. As a result of these actions, dents and chips remain on the surface. At first they do not manifest themselves in any way, but over time it is in these places that fistulas form.
Incorrect care. Metal, like any other material, needs attention from the owner. Coating pipes with paint is not only an aesthetic aspect of the issue, but also reliable protection of the metal from corrosion. However, before applying a new layer, it is necessary to clean off the old coating. In this way, you can immediately see problems and take timely measures to protect against leaks.
Poor quality material. In an attempt to save money, many people buy second-hand offers or the cheapest metal. When deciding on such a deal, you need to be prepared that the “new” pipeline will last almost half as long as a high-quality one.

When installing a new system, it is impossible to provide for absolutely all the nuances. However, everything can be done to ensure that the pipeline system lasts as long as possible.

DIY repair options

Having discovered a fistula in the pipe, you need to put aside panic and analyze how best to eliminate the problem. A win-win option is to call a plumber to fix the leak, who will solve the issue in a few hours and even give a guarantee for the service provided. It’s another matter if it is not possible to call a specialist.

Then you can eliminate the leakage in the following ways:

By means of a clamp. This method is the most economical and can be implemented by anyone with any level of technical skill. It is enough just to select a clamp of the appropriate diameter, install a sealing rubber gasket and tighten the bolts tightly. In this condition, the pipeline can last for several more years.
Use of fittings. Crimped, threaded or capillary elements allow not only to revive a damaged section in the pipeline, but also to reuse removed elements. Such metamorphoses do not affect the service life of the system in any way.
Soldering. To repair copper pipes, soft solder is most often used, which is evenly distributed over the surface. After this, it is exposed to open fire, resulting in the most airtight seam. This action allows you to solder the pipe within a matter of minutes.

If you do not have experience repairing copper pipes, it is better to contact a professional

The repair takes no more than a few hours and allows you to carry out work without freeing the system. You need to be careful, perhaps, with a pipe with hot water or one that passes under pressure.

It is absolutely forbidden to touch systems with flammable or dangerous liquids and gases yourself.

How to repair a fistula in a riser pipe

When deciding to repair a leak in a pipeline yourself, it is very important to choose the best option that will allow you to forget about the problem at least for a certain period of time.

The clamp can be used in the following situations:

The cold water pipe is sealed;
The fistula is small in size;
Corrosion has appeared on the surface, but no water oozes from it;
The damage has a small diameter.

It is important to understand that repairing a riser using a clamp is not a panacea, but only a temporary solution to the situation. The leaking pipe will still have to be replaced in the next few years.

Fittings and soldering are long-term technologies that allow the pipeline to be used until forced dismantling (repair, planned replacement of communications, etc.).

A special device for repairing copper pipes can be found on the Internet or in a specialized store at an affordable price.

Such methods are much more expensive and require a certain level of training. Before starting work, you must carefully study the installation/soldering technology and practice on a separate pipe section. If everything works out, you can safely begin work. If some points remain unclear, the repair should be entrusted to professionals.

Preparation and sequence of work

Repairing a small pipe or a huge pipe begins with the implementation of basic preparatory steps, without which it is impossible to guarantee a positive result.

When making repairs, safety regulations must be followed

You need to work in the following order:

Fixing the pipe (even ordinary insulating tape will do);
Surface cleaning;
Removal of small debris;
Checking the connection for leaks;
Degreasing the surface;
Sealing the fistula.

Repairing copper pipes (provided there is a complete or partial absence of leaks) is not at all difficult if you follow all the steps according to the regulations. It is enough just to choose the best option, carry out the preparatory steps and reliably seal the fistula. If all steps are performed correctly, the “patched” system will be able to serve for at least a couple more years.

Source: https://kanaliza.ru/truby/provodim-kachestvennyj-remont-mednyh-trub-3-varianta

Soldering water pipes: tools, safety measures, technology and possible mistakes

The connection of polymer water pipes into a single main is carried out in two ways: using connecting elements (fittings) or by soldering. The latter option is more economical - you do not need to buy additional parts. But it requires special tools. If you know the intricacies of welding, you can correctly solder plastic pipes for home plumbing with your own hands, without the involvement of specialists. This will also save the family budget.

Tools for getting the job done

Soldering iron for plastic pipes

To connect plastic and propylene elements, the method of thermal diffusion is used - fusion when heated with a special soldering iron. It differs from a simple soldering tool in that it uses steel tips rather than copper electrodes. They are fixed in the holes on the heating element of the soldering iron. Temperature regulation is carried out using a thermostat located on the body.

To carry out work with pipe elements made of polyethylene or polypropylene, you will additionally need:

measuring instruments - tape measure, ruler, square, level;
specialized scissors or pipe cutter;
degreasing liquid.

Additionally, it is worth preparing fine-grained sandpaper or a thin file. They will help make the cuts perfectly smooth.

Security measures

When working with a soldering iron, you need to follow safety precautions. Failure to do so will negatively affect the quality of the solder joint and may cause injuries and burns.

Observe the following rules:

Place the hot soldering iron only on the stand.
Use gloves to protect your hands from burns.
Carry out work in a well-ventilated area, because polymer materials emit harmful substances when heated.

The nozzles are coated with Teflon to prevent carbon deposits. At the end of each welding process, the remaining polymer must be removed using a wooden spatula. Cleaning cooled tips is not allowed, as this may damage the coating and break the soldering iron.

Features of soldering water pipes

Split polypropylene coupling

Before you start, you need to choose the right technology. Three soldering methods are used for connection:

Coupling. In this case, couplings are used that are inserted between the parts being joined. The peculiarity of the process is that only the connection elements themselves are heated. Typically the method is used for pipes with small and medium cross-sections.
Bell-shaped Nozzles of various diameters are used. The ends of the parts are cut at an angle of 90 degrees and cleaned, and then inserted into a nozzle of the appropriate section. During soldering, the ends of the two elements heat up, melt and join. After joining, the parts must not be rotated.
Stykova. At the same time, the ends of two segments are welded over the entire plane. It is used for connecting large pipes – with a diameter of more than 5 cm and a wall thickness of 0.4 cm.

If you need to solder reinforced pipes, you will need a special tool - a shaver. It is needed to clean the pipe from aluminum, which is hidden under the top polymer coating. Next, pipe welding is carried out according to the standard method.

THIS IS INTERESTING: In what year did electric arc welding appear?

Sometimes a section of pipeline requires threaded parts. Such a fitting can be soldered to the joint of a suitable pipe. Pipe soldering work should only be carried out at above-zero ambient temperatures.

Welding sequence

First you need to prepare the pipes themselves. They are divided into pieces of the required size, the ends are leveled and ground, and the joints are wiped with a degreasing liquid.

The soldering iron is placed on a flat surface, nozzles with polymer parts are attached to it: one or more. Standard devices allow you to set nozzles for two pipes and two couplings at the same time, which speeds up the process of assembling the structure.

Using a thermostat, the desired heating is selected, taking into account the difference in this indicator for polymers. You can find out which specific pipes you are soldering by looking at the markings on the product itself. For polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride pipes (PP and PVC), heating is carried out up to 260 degrees, for polyethylene (HDPE) pipes - up to 220 degrees. The heated elements are connected to each other by inserting the pipe into the socket, coupling, or by joining the ends of the segments.

The duration of melting after bringing to the required temperature is determined depending on the cross-section:

Product diameter (mm)	Heating time to required temperature (sec)	Adhesion period (sec)	Cooling time (min)
16	5	8	2
20	6	9	2
25	7	10	3
32	8	12	4
40	12	20	5
63	24	25	6
90	40	35	8

After the joint has cooled, check that the work was done correctly. The tightness of the soldered section is checked by blowing and passing water. If the joint seam is made poorly, the soldering area is cut off and the welding work is carried out again.

Soldering in hard-to-reach places and corners

Sealing problem areas with an industrial hair dryer is a temporary measure

If necessary, the pipes can be soldered at an angle. For this purpose, special corner couplings are used. Use a square to control the degree of bend. Buy products from the same manufacturer, this will ensure high adhesion of the elements being connected.

Welding in hard-to-reach places is difficult for a non-professional. When working near the ceiling, the soldering machine will have to be hung on a hook. Sometimes it is necessary to replace a part in an existing water supply: if there is damage through which water drips, or if there is a severe blockage. The easiest way is to solder threaded fittings in those places where it is convenient to do this, and then place a section of pipe on them.

You can solder a polypropylene pipe if water drips through a small crack using artisanal welding. The gap is closed with the material from which the pipe is made. A hot nail or screwdriver is applied to the defective area. The hole is covered with molten polymer. But this is a temporary option; the damaged area will still need to be replaced.

The polymer product can be sealed briefly using an industrial hair dryer. The joint is heated until the material softens. A clamp is placed on the pipe and tightened tightly.

Possible mistakes

Frequent errors that lead to the appearance of defective components during the assembly of polymer pipelines:

working with uncleaned sections;
unevenness of the connecting parts;
inaccurate alignment of connected elements;
too much effort when joining;
incomplete insertion of the pipe into the fitting connection;
low or excessive heating of the parts being welded;
presence of a reinforcing layer;
change in the position of the elements after the plastic has cooled;
using a soldering iron with tips contaminated with polymer;
cleaning cooled nozzles and subsequent use of parts with a damaged Teflon layer.

Sometimes, on high-quality materials, severe overheating does not cause visual external defects. But there is internal deformation when the heated plastic blocks the internal passage. This leads to rapid clogging and blocking of water flow.

In addition to hot soldering, the cold welding method is used. The technique involves the use of a special solvent as an active soldering component, which softens the structure of the polymer. Due to its complexity, the method has not gained much popularity.

Source: https://StrojDvor.ru/vodosnabzhenie/kak-paat-truby-dla-vodoprovoda/

How to solder a plastic pipe

Surely it will not be a secret to you that modern high-quality repairs with the replacement of a heating system or plumbing cannot be imagined without the use of polypropylene, i.e. plastic products.

This material quickly appeared on the building materials market, revolutionized the water supply system and firmly took a leading position.

In this article we will talk about how to solder polypropylene pipes with your own hands and how to save on calling specialists. This is a kind of instruction for carrying out work.

Advantages of the material

In the life of a modern person, plastic is used in almost all spheres of his life. They have become simply indispensable components for repairs and construction of any scale: for heating, water supply, sewerage, etc. This is because such pipes for utility networks have undeniable advantages over other materials :

Do not corrode;
They are highly resistant to chemicals;
Excellent resistance to various types of microorganisms;
They have low sound and thermal conductivity;
Lightweight for easy transportation;
Environmentally friendly;
Not difficult installation;
Can be laid in both open and hidden ways;
Long service life - with proper operation up to 50 years of service.

Next, we will answer the question at what temperature to solder polypropylene pipes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZPL6Bl6S6E

It is thanks to its environmental properties that polypropylene is widely used in home water supply and heating. A wide selection of fittings with various types of chrome or brass inserts makes it possible to use them with existing parts of engineering structures or plumbing items.

Necessary equipment

Let's look at how to solder polypropylene pipes with your own hands. For the installation of heating or water supply lines, products with an outer diameter of 16-63 mm are used. To connect them, socket or, as it is also called, sleeve welding is used. In order to solder you will need the following:

1. A soldering iron with a set of nozzles with different diameters. Well, how can you choose the appropriate soldering iron so that it is of high quality and allows for quick installation. The choice of tools is now really great, as is their pricing policy. A link to the selection rules will be after the article.

The power of the tool plays a leading role. If you plan to use it at home to solder diameters 16-63 mm, then 1200 W will be enough for you. If you have to solder polypropylene pipes in hard-to-reach places and at a professional level, then you will need 1800 W or more. But let’s say right away that a novice installer will not necessarily need such professional devices at home.
The included nozzles act as heating elements. They consist of a sleeve, which melts the outer part of the product, and a mandrel, which melts the inner part of the socket of the connecting part. The nozzles must have a non-stick Teflon coating. Most often, a soldering iron kit comes with 6 nozzles of different diameters.
The most convenient will be a soldering iron that allows you to install not one, but three nozzles. This design provides serious time savings, because you will spend much less of it in the process of replacing a nozzle of one size with another. After all, do not forget that to replace the nozzle you will need to cool it, replace it, and then warm it up again.
A soldering iron that allows you to professionally solder products usually has electronic temperature control. It allows you to control heating with an accuracy of 1-5°C. Of course, you can do without this adjustment and simply buy a thermometer to measure the temperature of the working part.

2. The next tool that you will need when you decide to figure out how to properly solder polypropylene pipes will be plastic scissors.

3. In addition, you will need a pencil, tape measure, tarpaulin rags, and, of course, polypropylene pipelines and the necessary fittings.

What types of fittings are there?

To understand what can be soldered and how to solder different sections, you need to understand what additional connecting elements there are.

Solder couplings.
Angles 45° and 90°. Used for both different and the same sizes.
Tee or triple square.
Crosses.
Welded seat.
Plugs.
Soldering for polypropylene.
Transition having an external type of plastic thread DG.
Combined couplings (with external, internal thread or union nuts).
Combined tees (with external, internal threads or union nuts).
Combined angles (with external, internal thread or union nuts).
Combination angles for installing various types of appliances (for example, mixer).
Ball valves, straight or angled with American type.
Walk-through water socket.

How to use a soldering iron

To understand how to solder polypropylene pipes, you need to understand the technology of the soldering iron. So, let's begin.

The soldering iron must be placed on a flat surface. The nozzles are installed to the required diameter and tightened with special wrenches. A nozzle should be installed closer to the edge, which will be required in order to solder directly on the wall. It will be more convenient to assemble all separately located parts of the pipeline on a permanently located soldering iron, which you can do yourself. But you will need to assemble the parts into a chain on the wall with an assistant.
Proper soldering should begin only after the tool has warmed up to operating temperature, approximately 10-15 minutes after it is turned on. Remember the nominal operating temperature in order to carry out soldering efficiently.
The soldering iron must not be unplugged during the entire operation, i.e. while you solder everything.
Two parts need to be heated at the same time.
The plastic remaining on the nozzles must be removed with a tarpaulin rag after installing each fragment. It is not allowed to clean cooled attachments.

Soldering technology for polypropylene pipes

Next, we will consider the rules for soldering polypropylene pipes.

1. Using special scissors, cut the desired piece perpendicular to the axis.

2. Select the required fitting size. Please note here that the unheated fitting must have an internal diameter that will be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the pipeline.

3. Clean the end of the pipe and the socket of the fitting from dirt, degrease it with alcohol or soapy water and dry it.

4. Place the parts to be connected on the corresponding nozzle on the soldering iron. The product must be inserted to the full welding depth into the sleeve, and the fitting socket must be placed on the mandrel.

5. After placing the parts in the nozzles, it is necessary to maintain the heating time. Here you need to act in accordance with the data in the table below. Let us explain that the table indicates the time required to heat the parts. However, the data applies to an air temperature of 20°C. If you work at a lower temperature, then you need to heat the parts longer, and if at a higher temperature, then reduce it. The following table shows the soldering time for polypropylene pipes.

6. After heating, remove the parts from the soldering iron and connect them together. Here we draw attention to the fact that the connection must be made without rotation along its axis and to the entire depth of the fitting socket. The operation must be performed quickly while maintaining alignment.

7. If you did everything correctly, then after connecting, a continuous influx of plastic should appear along the edge of the socket. You can see an example below.

8. Next, allow time for the parts to cool. During this period, various types of deformations (bends or rotations along the axis) are unacceptable. Here we draw attention to the fact that if a connection has occurred and the alignment or angle of relative position is shifted, then the part must be cut out and reinstalled. Soldering tees, angles and taps must be done with special attention. For example, the faucet handle should move easily.

If you do not know how to properly solder polypropylene pipes, then it is advisable to perform test soldering. To check the quality of the soldering, you can cut the prototype along its axis. The result should be a monolithic structure.

Do not forget that the technology for soldering polypropylene pipes requires compliance with safety precautions, because... You will carry it out using high temperatures, power tools and plastic, which will emit harmful fumes during heating.

Source: https://vodavdome.website/truby-2/montazh/kak-zapayat-plastikovuyu-trubu.html

How to eliminate leaks in polypropylene pipes

Modern water supply and heating systems (indoor) are assembled from polypropylene pipes. Splicing is carried out using a hot welding method, without the use of threaded connectors. It is fast, convenient and inexpensive, but there is a problem of lack of quality control. If the welded joint is not made in good faith (insufficient heating, violation of technology), over time, a leak will form at the joints.

Repair usually involves dismantling and replacing the leaky unit. Such work can only be done after draining the coolant, which is difficult at the height of the heating season. Especially in an apartment building.

This material will help you eliminate a leak in a welded joint without dismantling pipes and costly calling plumbers.

First of all, we localize the location of the leak.

To do this, wipe the leaky joint dry and apply a paper napkin. It will become wet exactly at the leak site. Then there are two repair algorithms: emergency and long-term. We will need the following tools and materials:

crimp clamps (with screw tightening)
polypropylene connecting fittings of the appropriate diameter (for the manufacture of a repair coupling)
a piece of galvanized sheet or thin PVC sheet (for making a bandage)
cold welding glue
automotive RTV sealant (it can withstand high pressure, temperatures up to 350°C, and retains plasticity after hardening)
degreaser, sandpaper
metal saw, screwdriver
metal scissors

Emergency repair without draining coolant

Possible if the water does not stream, but simply drips.

1. Crimp with a screw clamp without using glue. Let's take advantage of some of the elasticity of polypropylene. A crimp clamp is applied to the coupling from which it is leaking. After tightening the screw, the leak will decrease and possibly disappear altogether. You can leave it like this until the end of the heating season. But when the temperature of the coolant changes, polypropylene contracts and expands. You will have to constantly monitor the joint.

Therefore, it would be more correct to additionally seal the connection using an adhesive.

2. Application of “cold welding”. Most of these compounds can be used in damp environments.

The main thing is that the binding force of the glue can withstand the pressure of flowing water. This is where preventive crimping of the coupling using a clamp will help. Simply covering up the leak is not enough.

After several temperature changes, micro gaps will appear between the glue and the pipe, and the flow will resume. For reliability, it is necessary to install another supporting coupling opposite the defective joint, let’s call it a repair coupling.

It is cut from standard connecting fittings. To put it on the pipe, we make a longitudinal cut (cut).

We clean the pipe with sandpaper, degrease it, and dry the leak area if possible.

We put a repair coupling on the pipe, prepare “cold welding” glue, and cover the leak area. We move the coupling to the joint, fix it with a second clamp.

In this case, the glue will compact between the couplings and fix the leak. Due to the mixing of “cold welding” with water, the appearance is not very aesthetic. This does not affect the strength (the glue is designed for such use).

The goal has been achieved: the leak has been eliminated. But this solution is temporary; the epoxy glue will gradually crack.

Long-term repair

It can be carried out after the end of the heating season, when the system is drained for prevention.

We clean the leak site from temporary repairs, sand and degrease the surface. We put a repair coupling on the pipe.

We apply a layer of RTV sealant; you can use a mirror to control invisible areas.

We move the repair coupling until the sealant appears from the gap.

Coat the surface with a layer of sealant 2-3 mm thick. Be sure to fill in the repair coupling section.

We make a bandage from a sheet of galvanized sheet or thin PVC sheet. We wrap around the junction of the couplings. The cut location of the bandage should not coincide with the leak point.

We put on the second bandage on top, turning the incision site 180°.

We put on threaded clamps and tighten the bandage couplings tightly. Excess sealant should be squeezed out of all joints and crevices. This means that there are no air voids left inside the repair area and the connection is airtight.

After final tightening, remove excess sealant.

Schematically, the repair area looks like this:

It is important that the leak point, the cuts on the repair coupling and bandages, are in different sectors. After 12 hours, the connection will gain the necessary strength. RTV sealant maintains plasticity and compensates for thermal gaps when the temperature of the coolant changes. So there will definitely not be any leakage in this place.

Of course, materials have some price. But the cost of a plumber's work is much higher. In addition, there is no need to disassemble the leaking unit and install new pipes.

Source: https://homemasters.ru/articles/santekhnika-i-otoplenie/kak-ustranit-tech-v-polipropilenovyh-trubah/