Uses for PVC Pipe

Everyone who has had to repair an underground water line knows the most obvious use of polyvinyl chloride pipe, better known as PVC. Most non-home related water pipes use PVC for underground gardening and outside watering systems. Once the water line break is located, (by digging up the line from where the water seepage is apparent above ground), you dig a hole around the break, cut the PVC water line on either side of the break, glue couplings in place and fit the new PVC piper in the gap. But there are many other uses for PVC that are often overlooked.

A Garden Trellis

PVC can be used to build a trellis for tomato and other vine plants in your garden. For this you need two 10-foot lengths of PVC, two elbow couplings and a 4-foot span of PVC to connect the top of the trellis. You will also need need strong string or thin rope.

Sink each 10-foot length of PVC approximately 4 feet into the ground on either side of the row of plants you want to grow vertically. Glue the couplings to the tops of the PVC poles and then glue the middle piece in place. It is usually easier to build the trellis frame on the ground and then add the string. Tie the string tautly across the bottom of the flame (that is now 4 feet into the ground) several inches above ground level. You will then need one string for each plant that loops over the top of the trellis frame. Tie each string firmly to the string that runs horizontally above the ground. As the beans, tomatoes, even zucchini begin to grow they shoot out tendrils looking for something to grab. Train the tendrils by gently wrapping them around the string and they will grow up the strings, not only saving ground space but also making it easier to harvest. Tomatoes don't have tendrils but need support and they too can be trained to grow up the trellis by periodically the center stem around the string. Sometimes it is necessary to loosely tie them with an old cloth to the string to keep them growing vertically.

If your row of plants you want to trellis is longer than 4 feet, you can use a "T" fitting instead of an elbow on the vertical PVC and extend it another 4 feet to another 10-foot pole (again 4 feet deep in the ground). Run another length of 4-foot PVC horizontally along the top of the trellis, gluing it into the T fitting and the elbow at the opposite end. Repeat the string process and you now have an 8-foot trellis. Using T fittings, you can make the trellis as long as you like but a word of caution. If it is longer than 8 feet, the trellis becomes difficult to remove and store at the end of the growing season. On the other hand, you can leave it in place over the winter and it's ready to use the following spring.

Trellis Watering System

You can also use the trellis as a watering system for the plants by drilling small (about 1/16 of an inch) holes along the bottom of the horizontal pieces of trellis and drill a hole toward the bottom of one end of the vertical PVC to accommodate a threaded hose receptacle. At a minimum, use plumbing tape to assure it doesn't leak. Attach a hose to the PVC and turn on the water and the plants can be watered much easier. If you want to get really fancy, there are mist nozzles that can be used to mist the plants that are screwed into the trellis cross-member.

Corollary to the Corollary

A similar small trellis watering method can be used for plants growing close to the ground, like lettuce and strawberries. The only difference is that the vertical PVC need only be a foot or two above and below ground. The PVC can run next to the plant rows or above them. Drill the watering holes accordingly. Don't forget to drill the hole and nozzle receptacle for the hose.

An Old Contractor Trick

You can also leep water away from the foundation of your home by connecting 4-inch PVC to the end of downspouts. A drill and pop rivets will do the trick. Drill the holes through the PVC while holding the PVC in place outside the gutter spout. Attach a length of PVC to the downspout and lay it in a trench leading from the home. You can drill several holes several feet from the end of the PVC away from the house to allow some of the run-off water to disperse over a wider area rather than just at the very end.

Curtain Rods

Sure, it is not fancy but the 3/4-inch PVC can be painted and hung across the top of any window. It is certainly sturdy enough to hold up curtains without any drooping of the rod. You can either drill and screw the PVC into the wooden window frame or use more conventional curtain hangers if you want the curtains an inch or so away from the window and wall.

Doubles a Cover for Unsightly Wire

You know all the wires that are tangled behind your television, DVD player and surround sound system? You can't do without the connections but you can hide and organize them by running them through PVC where all the snaggles occur. Paint the PVC a color to match the rug, floor or trim and tuck it behind your television console. The same method works in your workshop if you tend to use tools frequently and don't put them away. Take a minute to run the chords from your tools through the PVC and your spouse won't ever complain about having the wires running all over, tripping her as she gets to the car.

Organization Tool

Using PVC to hold nails and screws makes finding and using the right nails and screws for the job. Cap both ends, but don't glue them, and make sure to use indelible marker to label what each PVC containers hold. If you really want to be organized, store them in alphabetical order on peg board hooks.