How to Install a Drainage Pipe for Water

Use a handsaw to cut each pipe section to length.

Household drainage pipes (known as sewer pipes) are part of a sewer system that allows wastewater to run away from the home's various water fixtures and out to either the city sewer or septic tank. This system has a main sewer line (usually three or four inches in diameter) connected at one end to the sewer/septic tank. Most or all of the individual sewer pipes coming from the various fixtures attach into this main sewer line. Installing a new sewer pipeline requires running sewer pipe from the main sewer line to the fixture.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Marker pen
• Handsaw
• Utility knife
• PVC primer
• PVC connecting coupling
• PVC cement
• PVC sewer pipe
• PVC straight coupling
• PVC couplings (of various angles)

Instructions

1. Use a pen to mark the point on the main sewer line where the new sewer pipe will be attached. Make a second mark two inches along from the first mark. Use a handsaw to make a perpendicular straight cut through the sewer line at both marks---the cuts will be parallel with each other. Remove the two-inch section of pipe. Scrape off any fragments or burrs from the existing pipe ends with a utility knife.

2. Brush PVC primer around both outside ends of the pipe cuts to a depth of 3/4 inch. Then prime the inside ends of a PVC connecting coupling. Brush PVC cement on all four primed areas. Squeeze the coupling between the pipe ends so that the pipes enter into the ends of the coupling. Position the coupling's side spout up and facing the direction of the new water inlet. Hold the coupling in place for five seconds as the cement sets.

3. Measure and saw the first section of new PVC sewer pipe to length and scrape off burrs. Prime one of its outside ends and also the inside end of the coupling's side spout. Cement both primed areas. Push the cemented pipe end into the spout and hold in place for five seconds.

4. Saw the second new section of PVC sewer pipe to length. Scrape off burrs. Prime one outside end, the remaining outside end of the first section of pipe and the inside of one PVC straight coupling. Cement all three primed areas. Push the coupling onto the end of the first pipe section and then push the cemented end of the second pipe section into the other end of the coupling. Hold in place for five seconds. Measure and saw to length all necessary pipe sections, installing them together with couplings, primer and cement, until the new pipeline reaches the water fixture.

Tips & Warnings

• Black ABS plastic sewer pipe can also be used. No primer is needed for the joints, but ABS cement must be applied.

• The connecting coupling is the same diameter as the main sewer line, and its side spout will be the same diameter as the new sewer pipeline.

• P-traps connect sinks, tubs and washing machines to the sewer pipeline, and toilets connect to the sewer with a toilet flange.

• New sewer pipe can also be cut with a hacksaw, circular saw or miter saw (miter saws make the straightest and cleanest cuts).

• PVC couplings are available in different angles including 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees.

• Always wear eye protection when sawing sewer pipe.

References

• HammerZone: Cutting PVC Pipe---Various Methods
• This Old House: Gluing PVC Pipe