Great informative video on how to utilize all those different pieces, the reason of using a union, and the process of gluing PVC pipe. Only problem I have is you have about $8+ in fittings, $6+ in glue and wild guess here $300+ in cutting tools. The only time I would use a union on PVC is where I would need to take it apart. Unions are mostly used in metal piping where you have threads that you need to turn in opposite directions. A more DIYer method for this repair would be a piece of pipe cut to length, 2 couplings glued on each end, dig a bid more on the pipe, glue both ends of repair flex pipe up & pop both ends on and give a quick rotate. About $1 in fittings. A small hand saw or hacksaw blade wrapped with tape or plumbers triangle saw or hand PVC cutter. You should remind people to check that their glue is still fresh, old glue fails, unless I’m doing multiple jobs or a bigger job, I only buy the smallest cans of glue.
That's how I fixed that problem, and I never had those repairs leak. I've also used these repair kits that have a sort of split pipe that you glue over the outside, when you don't have room to lift the pieces, and those have worked, too, but they also cost money (although less than one of those unions).
I should have wrote; glue one end onto one side, then flex the pipe up to get the other end and cut end to meet. The piece you are replacing with the couplings glued on will be longer than your cut opening in the ground, that’s why you will need to flex the pipe up to get it together.
@@tomtribur458 but flexing a pipe up doesn’t allow room to fit into the other pipe in my visualization. I’m visualizing pushing the pipe BACKWARD to then be able to slide it forward into the coupling attached to the other pipe right?
@@MathCuriousity if you can slide one side of your pipe, you are good, just slide 1 side away, put your glue and fitting on and slide it back together. You only have to lift and flex your pipe if both ends are buried and fixed in place, but if you do need to flex your pipe up, dig farther back and expose more pipe, if you don’t you risk cracking the pipe. The flexing is only to allow more space between the ends of the pipes and when you release the pipe as it settles back down, it will force itself back together.
As a licensed irrigator for 14+ years, I have to say Jeff that you waaaay over complicated that repair and in the end the repair was relatively incorrect. You had enough flex in there to have just used two couplings and a small piece of pipe or you could have just used quick fix. It’s also unnecessary to chamfer the pipe, you can just wipe the burns off with a towel. That Milwaukee tool does look convenient though.
You were too kind to him sir, he was so wrong about all that. A five minute job start to finish, "your way & the right way"... He needed a hacksaw, glue, rag, 2 couplers and a bit of pvc pipe.
You are so right I'm a female and do all my jobs in my home and in yard and I have the same problem right now and got the pipe couplers no need for all that extra stuff.
I like those PVC unions as that kind is functional unlike the compression style. However that repair doesn't need a union. I use either a repair coupling or file the center stop out of a normal coupling. Goop up the pipe and coupling with cement, slip the coupling all the way onto one pipe and then slip it back back half-way on to the second pipe. I've seen folks use a torch to heat and bend the pipe and use a normal coupling, or the straightforward way is to dig out enough room to flex the pipe normally.
Jeff - love your videos - keep up the great work. In this particular instance, what advantages would your unions have over a “slip coupling” repair - something I have done in the past, with no issues. PS - the Costco and Lowe’s videos are appreciated.
I have one of those Milwaukee cutters, but I just use a cheap pipe cutter (like scissors), which you can get for $10. But I guess I've never encountered PVC which was so old it had become brittle. I find the blue glue to be simpler, unless there's some sort of building code issue.
You could do a quick episode on how to get those damn cans open the next year, not gonna lie I've just thrown some away and grabbed another pair after trying every trick in the book short of sawing it open but for the mess it would make, lol. Also, they have nowadays flexible couplers with sharkbite-like fittings for sprinkler pvc repairs, a little pricy but saves a lot of time and mess with the glue.
In the past I have put 2 couplings and a length of pipe in between. Worked fine.
And they result in a lower profile repair, which is important when the pipe is not buried very deep.
Can you explain this more. Are you saying that what this guy did is wrong in situations where we had a much deeper depth?
Great informative video on how to utilize all those different pieces, the reason of using a union, and the process of gluing PVC pipe. Only problem I have is you have about $8+ in fittings, $6+ in glue and wild guess here $300+ in cutting tools. The only time I would use a union on PVC is where I would need to take it apart. Unions are mostly used in metal piping where you have threads that you need to turn in opposite directions. A more DIYer method for this repair would be a piece of pipe cut to length, 2 couplings glued on each end, dig a bid more on the pipe, glue both ends of repair flex pipe up & pop both ends on and give a quick rotate. About $1 in fittings. A small hand saw or hacksaw blade wrapped with tape or plumbers triangle saw or hand PVC cutter. You should remind people to check that their glue is still fresh, old glue fails, unless I’m doing multiple jobs or a bigger job, I only buy the smallest cans of glue.
That's how I fixed that problem, and I never had those repairs leak. I've also used these repair kits that have a sort of split pipe that you glue over the outside, when you don't have room to lift the pieces, and those have worked, too, but they also cost money (although less than one of those unions).
What is “repair flex pipe” and what do you mean? Why can’t we just do pvc cut to length and a coupler on each side?!
I should have wrote; glue one end onto one side, then flex the pipe up to get the other end and cut end to meet. The piece you are replacing with the couplings glued on will be longer than your cut opening in the ground, that’s why you will need to flex the pipe up to get it together.
@@tomtribur458 but flexing a pipe up doesn’t allow room to fit into the other pipe in my visualization. I’m visualizing pushing the pipe BACKWARD to then be able to slide it forward into the coupling attached to the other pipe right?
@@MathCuriousity if you can slide one side of your pipe, you are good, just slide 1 side away, put your glue and fitting on and slide it back together. You only have to lift and flex your pipe if both ends are buried and fixed in place, but if you do need to flex your pipe up, dig farther back and expose more pipe, if you don’t you risk cracking the pipe. The flexing is only to allow more space between the ends of the pipes and when you release the pipe as it settles back down, it will force itself back together.
Very informative n interesting vid. Tape used to wrap on plastic fitting thread is it teflon tape or specific one for PVC fitting???
As a licensed irrigator for 14+ years, I have to say Jeff that you waaaay over complicated that repair and in the end the repair was relatively incorrect. You had enough flex in there to have just used two couplings and a small piece of pipe or you could have just used quick fix. It’s also unnecessary to chamfer the pipe, you can just wipe the burns off with a towel. That Milwaukee tool does look convenient though.
I think he did good, and about the burrs, do it it right so if its on a main it won’t mess up the valve
I agree! it's overly complicated. i had to stop watching at 4 minutes of the vid.
You were too kind to him sir, he was so wrong about all that. A five minute job start to finish, "your way & the right way"... He needed a hacksaw, glue, rag, 2 couplers and a bit of pvc pipe.
You are so right I'm a female and do all my jobs in my home and in yard and I have the same problem right now and got the pipe couplers no need for all that extra stuff.
@@fia8079 He sells pvc unions for a living though.
Thank you so much for this video, it was detailed and walked me right thru the process. Easy to follow for a rookie!!!
I like those PVC unions as that kind is functional unlike the compression style. However that repair doesn't need a union. I use either a repair coupling or file the center stop out of a normal coupling. Goop up the pipe and coupling with cement, slip the coupling all the way onto one pipe and then slip it back back half-way on to the second pipe.
I've seen folks use a torch to heat and bend the pipe and use a normal coupling, or the straightforward way is to dig out enough room to flex the pipe normally.
Jeff - love your videos - keep up the great work.
In this particular instance, what advantages would your unions have over a “slip coupling” repair - something I have done in the past, with no issues.
PS - the Costco and Lowe’s videos are appreciated.
Isn’t his a slip union?!
You can tell that's Florida with only being a few inches below grade.
Nice job.
What exactly are you implying? Are you saying this pvc style would be not up to code if we were in Maine for instance?
I have one of those Milwaukee cutters, but I just use a cheap pipe cutter (like scissors), which you can get for $10. But I guess I've never encountered PVC which was so old it had become brittle. I find the blue glue to be simpler, unless there's some sort of building code issue.
Usually PVC which is brittle has spent time in the sun, everything I’ve dug up hasn’t been brittle for me.
Two couplings and a measured piece of straight pipe, done. Like the pvc cutter! Can’t ever get a straight cut with hand pvc cutter!
Is there an easy solution for a leaky connection of an elbow joint, ie. right angle joint?
Great video
I could never get the lengths right so I just use 4 90 degree fittings and I'm done in 10 minutes.
You could do a quick episode on how to get those damn cans open the next year, not gonna lie I've just thrown some away and grabbed another pair after trying every trick in the book short of sawing it open but for the mess it would make, lol. Also, they have nowadays flexible couplers with sharkbite-like fittings for sprinkler pvc repairs, a little pricy but saves a lot of time and mess with the glue.
1 Coupling, a little piece of pvc and a t. Done. Glue must be done well.
This is the way.
Why put a union there?
😎🛠️😎🛠️😎
Lol made a few min job into hours
Overkill and not up to code
Lol