How to Heat PVC Pipe Using a Roofing Torch to Bend It

Fire can melt PVC.

Polyvinyl chloride pipes are widely used in the construction industry. Plumbing lines are among the most common applications of PVC in homes and buildings. PVC pipes are typically laid straight, but can turn to another direction with the use of fittings. Builders sometimes bend a PVC pipe to change its direction by applying heat onto the pipe. A heated PVC pipe can not make a tight 90-degree corner turn similar to that of an PVC elbow, but it can be heated to make a wide circular bend similar to the diameter of a car tire.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Pencil
• Rope
• Marking pen
• Roof torch
• Wet rag

Instructions

1. Lay the pipe on the ground and clear the surrounding area to allow you to roll the pipe back and forth. Wipe the pipe with dry rag to remove any oil, then mark the spot along the pipe where you want the center of the bend to fall.

2. On a piece of cardboard or paper, draw the outline of the bend that you wish to make.
   Measure the length of the bend starting from the point along the outline where the line begins to bend up to the point where the bend ends, using a thin rope.

3. Mark the starting point and the ending point of the bend area along the PVC by placing the center of the rope over the mark you made in Step 1. Mark the PVC at both ends of the rope with a marking pen to show the starting and ending point of the PVC bend.

4. Swing the tip of the torch quickly three to four times from end to end of the bend area at approximately 4 to 8 inches away from the pipe. Roll the pipe over by a quarter of its diameter and repeat the same procedures until you can see the pipe soften and start to sway.

5. Hold both ends of the pipe, then slowly bend the pipe until it reaches the form that you like. Allow the PVC to cool, then wipe the PVC with a wet rag.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not allow the flame to touch the plastic to avoid scorching the pipe surface.

• Heat the PVC pipe outside your home to prevent accidentally burning your house.

• Place the heated pipe against a circular object such as a bucket or drum.

• Practice bending some scrap PVC to familiarize yourself with the technique.

• Do not heat the ends of the PVC pipe to avoid deforming its opening. A deformed pipe end can't be plugged into a fitting.