How to Build a PVC Pipe Carport
Non-permanent carport structures made from PVC pipe are becoming increasingly popular. The structures are lightweight and easy to move or tear down. Carports made from PVC pipe are also more cost-effective than wooden or metal-framed carports. PVC pipe can be found at most hardware or home-improvement stores, but fittings may be harder to find. Some hardware stores will special-order fittings for you, or they may direct you to a specialty store in your area. If the proper connectors cannot be found locally, on-line retailers such as CreativeShelters.com offer a large selection of PVC fittings. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- 11 PVC pipes, 1-1/2 inches by 10 feet
- Measuring tape
- Saw
- 6 buckets
- Concrete
- Level
- Masking tape
- 1 PVC 4-way 90-degree connector
- 2 PVC 3-way 90-degree connectors
- 4 PVC T connectors
- 6 PVC 45-degree connectors
- 2 PVC standard 4-way connectors
- Ladder
- 10 foot-by-10 foot tarp
- 12 ball ties
Instructions
-
-
1
Cut six lengths of PVC pipe into 8-foot-long sections. Hold onto the extra PVC for later. Cut the other five pipes in half, making 10 pipes that are 5 feet long each.
-
2
Mix one bucket of concrete. Using a level, set one of the 8-foot poles into the concrete so that it is perfectly straight. Use the masking tape to secure the pipe in place by making a large hash mark or "pound" sign with the tape across the top opening of the bucket. The pole should be in the middle of the pound sign.
-
-
3
Set the other five poles in concrete-filled buckets using the same process. Let the concrete cure for 24 hours, or whatever the manufacturer recommends.
-
4
Lay out the six buckets in the approximate location where the carport will sit. Each side of the carport should have three buckets, with about 5 feet of space between them. The two sides should be about 8 feet apart. These are the support poles.
-
5
Place a T connection on top of each corner pole so that the 90-degree angle points to the middle pole and the straight edge is pointing to the sky.
-
6
Connect the support poles from T fitting to 4-way fitting using one 5-foot PVC pipe, and then from 4-way fitting to T fitting using another 5-foot PVC pipe. The two sides of the structure should not be connected; each will look like an "M."
-
7
Cut a piece of the leftover PVC pipe from Step 1 into six pieces that are 2 inches long each. Attach the 2-inch pieces to the top of each of the support poles.
-
8
Attach a 45-degree connector to one end of six 5-foot-long PVC pipes. These pipes will make the peaked roof of the carport.
-
9
Connect each of the 5-foot pipes with a 45-degree connector to the top of a support pole. At this point, the support poles should have an inch of PVC exposed on the top from the 2-inch pipes cut in Step 7.
-
10
Set up a ladder between the two end support poles so you can reach the peak. Connect the peak with a 3-way 90-degree connector. Connect the center peak with a 4-way 90-degree connector, and the last peak point with the last 3-way 90-degree connector.
-
11
Connect the peaks across the top using the last two 5-foot PVC pipes. Drape the tarp over the top of the carport so that the middle of the tarp is at the peak of the carport. Attach the edges of the tarp to the support pole cross bars using ball ties.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
For a more secure structure, use PVC glue at all joints.
Be sure to check local ordinances before starting building any project.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
