How to Unglue PVC Pipe

The short answer is, there is no way to unglue PVC pipe because PVC pipe is not "glued" to begin with; the two pieces of pipe bonded together on a molecular basis and become, in effect, one pipe. The "glue" used to bond PVC pipe melts the surface of the pipes and when the pipes are put in contact with each other their melted surfaces blond together and solidify. There are ways, however, of disassembling a "glued" PVC joint.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hacksaw Hawksaw blade Knife Screwdriver Hammer 80-grit sandpaper

1. Cut the pipe as close to the fitting as possible using a hacksaw.

2. Using a hacksaw blade, make three or four lengthwise cuts inside the coupling, cutting only the piece of pipe remaining in the coupling and not the coupling itself.

3. Use your screwdriver, knife and hammer to pry out the pieces of pipe from inside the coupling. This can take time and be a difficult process.

4. Sand the inside of the coupling smooth with your 80-grit paper once all of the cut pieces of pipe have been pried out of the coupling.

5. Apply "glue" to the inside of the coupling and to the end of a new piece of pipe and insert the new pipe into the coupling.

Tips & Warnings

• There are no solvents that will unglue PVC pipe.

References

• Ungluing PVC pipe