Plastic pipe use in swimming pools

There are three main types of piping used in the construction of swimming pools, these are; rigid pvc pipe, flexible pvc pipe and rigid abs pipe. Domestic pools tend to use either 1 ½” or 2” pipe systems (or 50mm / 63mm in metric). Due to larger flow rates, commercial swimming pools tend to operate with much larger pipe diameters, which are then reduced to smaller sizes when they branch off and approach their destinations, such as filtration equipment.

Swimming pool pipework, especially in the domestic environment, has traditionally be manufactured in white from pvc (polyvinyl chloride) or abs (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). The white colour was chosen to provide an attractive looking product where it is viewable by the pool users, however in reality, white plastic is more readily attacked by ultra violet rays from the sun and will have a shorter operational life. 
The process of gluing pvc pipe and abs pipe is a very simple one, and can be carried out by non skilled practically minded people with the right tools. The required tools are a sharp wood cutting saw, a stable bench, a flat medium file, some disposable paper cloth, latex gloves, a tape measure, a strong polythene bag (the type used to freeze food), a fine permanent marker pen and a paint brush approximately 40 – 50% the diameter of the pipe’s internal diameter.

The pipe length needed is measured with the tape, remembering to add on the depth of the sockets that are being glued into, and marked with the marker pen. The pipe is then cut square and after cutting, any loose strands of plastic rubbed off with your hand or the file. The outside edge of the pipe must then be chamfered at an angle between 40 and 60 degrees. This has two purposes, to allow the pipe to enter the socket more smoothly, but also to prevent the sharp, cut edge of the pipe, from pushing the glue out of the joint. The pipe and socket should then be cleaned with a small amount of acetone cleaner to remove any oils or other debris. If the pipe or fitting is an old one, some emery cloth should also be used to roughen the surface a little before cleaning.

Before applying the solvent pvc or abs cement it is a good idea to put a small mark on the pipe at a distance equivalent to the of the socket depth. This acts as a guide to how far up the pipe to apply the glue, and also acts as a check that the pipe is fully in the fittings when assembled. Solvent cement glue is applied first to the socket, ensuring there is a good film around the entire fitting and then to the pipe, ensuring that the chamfered angle is also covered. Push the pipe and the fitting together in one swift movement. Do not twist the pipe as this will affect the integrity of the joint. Once the pipe is in place, hold for a few seconds, or the pressure of the glue, which has been forced between the pipe and fitting, may push them apart. Then wipe any excess glue off the joint. Assembling ABS pipe if more difficult than PVC pipe as the former bonds in a fraction of a second, where the latter has a two to three second window where, if a mistake has been made, it can be pulled apart again. A pvc fitting can be forgiving to a very slight turn of 5 degrees or so in the fitting in the first couple of seconds to assist with alignment, but this is not the case for ABS.

As soon as you are finished gluing, wrap the end of the brush in the polythene bag, this will prevent the brush going hard between joints.