How to Replace a PVC Valve

PVC piping has become popular because of its lower cost compared with copper pipe and the ease of installation. PVC plumbing does have one drawback---when the pipe is cemented together, there is no way to break the connection and reuse the pipe or the fitting glued to the pipe. To replace any section of PVC piping, including PVC valves, you must cut apart the pipe and use couplings to attach the replaced pipe and valve back to your home's plumbing system.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape measure
• Permanent marker
• PVC saw
• Emery cloth or fine grit sandpaper
• File
• Length of proper diameter PVC pipe
• PVC couplings equal to the diameter of the cut pipe
• PVC cleaner
• PVC glue

1. Turn off the water supply line that supplies the PVC valve that needs to be exchanged.
   
   Measure and mark the pipe on each side of the PVC valve, allowing enough room to install the new PVC valve, two couplings and the short connector pipes to reconnect the PVC plumbing.

2. Dress the cut edges of pipe. File the burrs that remain from cutting the pipe. Use the light sandpaper or emery cloth to smooth out the file marks left on the edges of the pipe.

3. Dry-fit the couplings on the cut pieces of pipe. Measure the distance in between the couplings. Include the slip joint on each coupling. The pipe will need to slide into the slip joint and sit on the interior ridge found on the coupling. Measure the total length of the new PVC valve and deduct the length of the two slip joints located on the valve. Subtract the final PVC valve length from the total length between the two PVC couplings. The distance left divided by two will give you the cut lengths for the connector pipes.

4. Clean the edges of the connector pipes. Use the included cap-mounted brush to apply PVC cleaner to the inside of the slip joints of the PVC valve, the outside of the connector pipes, the outside of the PVC plumbing pipes, and the inside of all the coupling slip joints.
   
   Apply PVC glue to the outside of the PVC plumbing pipes and one slip joint on each coupling. Slide the couplings onto the plumbing pipes. Place glue in both slip joints of the PVC valve and one side of each connector pipe, and slide the glued side of the connector pipes into the PVC valve.

5. Glue the inside of both coupling slide joints and the outside of both connector pipes and slide them together. You will need to slide one connection completely together to allow sufficient room to make the other connection. Wipe the excess glue from the joints, before the glue dries. This allows for a professional-looking installation.

6. Turn the water back on and inspect the connections for leaks.

Tips & Warnings

• When replacing a PVC valve, use a PVC ball valve instead of a PVC gate valve if possible. PVC gate valves are prone to failure, and numerous companies have pulled them from their stores.

References

• PVC Ball Valves
• PVC Valves

Resources

• PVC Cutter