Installing Gasket PVC Pipe

How hard can it be?…

Installing PVC Pipe can go quite quickly and easily if you remember a couple of basic but important things.  Gasket PVC needs to have thrust block to hold it together.  When you purchased your PVC pipe, you should have received an installation book that is provided by the PVC pipe manufacturer.  It will guide you with the correct thrust block sizing for the diameter of the pipe you are installing.  Another option is to do a search for the dimension of concrete needed.

Over Belling…

Over belling is one of the biggest causes of pipe failure.  The manufacturer usually installs a black line that is a stopping point.  Anything beyond that will increase the chances of breaking the bell after installation is over.  The male end of the pipe is designed to move in the female end of the next piece of pipe.  That is called deflection.  PVC pipe needs to move in the ground a little depending on when it is installed and how straight the trench has been dug.  Please take the hint…the black line is there for a reason.  Be sure to use it and your installation will be in the ground for decades to come.

PVC Pipe Institute Quotes…

  1.  “PVC has a 1% failure rate after the first year of operation.”
  2.  “PVC has a 100 year life expectancy.”

 

Sample Thrust Blocking Below:

Thrust-Blocking PVC, Thrust Block, Thrust-Block, Thrust Blocking