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ENG
FR
pre-softened surfaces or create hang-
ups inside surface walls.
4. Remove dirt, grease and moisture. A
thorough wipe with a clean dry rag is
usually sufficient. Moisture will retard
cure and dirt or grease can prevent
adhesion.
5. Check pipe and fittings for dry fit. For
proper interference fit, the pipe must go
easily into the fitting 1/3 to 2/3 of the
way, but not bottom. (A good interferen-
ce fit is desired for a one-step installa-
tion).
6. Check for penetration and softening of
the pipe’s surface. Take a scrap piece of
the pipe you will be using and make a
normal application of the cement. Then
immediately, using a knife or other sharp
object, try to scratch or scrape a few
thousandths of the surface away. If you
are able to do so, proceed with installa-
tion. If not, try making a more aggressi-
ve application of the cement on the
scrap piece of pipe and check for pene-
tration as noted above. If you are still
unable to achieve penetration or softe-
ning of the pipe’s surface, you may want
to consider the use of a primer.
7. Using the correct size applicator (1/2
the pipe diameter), aggressively work
solvent cement on the end of the pipe
equal to the depth of the fitting socket.
8. Next, aggressively work cement into fit-
ting socket being careful not to get
cement beyond the socket.
9. Then apply a second layer of cement on
to the end of the pipe equal to the depth
of the fitting socket.
10. Immediately and while the surfaces
are still wet, assemble the pipe and the
fitting using sufficient force to ensure
that the pipe bottoms into the fitting
socket. If possible, twist the pipe a 1/4
turn as you insert it.
11. Hold the pipe and fitting together for
approximately 30 seconds to eliminate
push out.
12. After assembly, the joint should have a
ring or bead of cement completely
around the juncture of the pipe and fit-
ting. If voids in this ring are present,
sufficient cement was not applied and
the joint may be defective. Using a rag,
remove all the excess cementfrom the
pipe and fitting, including the ring or
bead.
13. Follow IPEX recommended set and
cure times before handling or testing
the piping system.
14. Once cure period has elapsed, joint
should be pulled and twisted by hand.
Should even a slight crack appear the
joint must be replaced.
Joining Plastic Pipe in Hot Weather
There are many occasions when solvent
cementing plastic pipe at 35ºC (95ºF) tem-
peratures and above cannot be avoided.
If special precautions are taken, problems
can be avoided. Solvent cements for plastic
pipe contain high-strength solvents which
evaporate faster at elevated temperatures.
This is especially true when there is a hot
wind blowing. If the pipe is stored in direct
sunlight, the pipe surface temperatures
may be from 10ºC to 15ºC (20ºF to 30ºF)
higher than the ambient temperature.
Solvents soften these hot surfaces faster
and deeper, especially inside a joint.
Therefore, it is very important to avoid
puddling the cement inside the fitting socket
and to wipe off any excess cement outside
the joint.
By following our standard instructions and
using a little extra care as outlined below,
successful solvent cemented joints can be
made in even the most extreme hot
weather conditions.
Tips to Follow when Solvent Cementing in
High Temperatures:
• Store solvent cements and primers in a
cool or shaded area prior to use.
• If possible, store fittings and pipe or at
least the ends to be solvent welded, in a
shady area before cementing.
• Cool surfaces to be joined by wiping with
a damp rag. Make sure that the surface
is dry prior to applying solvent cement.
• Try to do the solvent cementing in cooler
morning hours.
• Make sure that both surfaces to be joined
are still wet with cement when putting
them together.
Joining Plastic Pipe and Fittings in Cold
Weather
For installation temperatures 0ºC (32°F)
or less, the use of System 636
PVC/CPVC Primer is required.
Note: Some jurisdictions have mandated
the use of primer regardless of temperatu-
re (i.e. Alberta). Verify with your local juri-
sdiction’s authorities.
By following our standard instructions and
using a little extra care and patience, suc-
cessful solvent cemented joints can be
made at temperatures even as low as -
26ºC (-15ºF). In cold weather, solvents pene-
trate and soften the plastic pipe and fitting
surfaces more slowly than in warm
weather. Also the plastic is more resistant
to solvent attack.
Therefore it becomes even more important
to pre-soften surfaces with System 636 pri-
mer. And, because of slower evaporation, a
longer cure time is necessary. Our cure
schedules allow a margin for safety, but for
colder weather more time should be
allowed.
Requirements when Solvent Cementing
during Cold Weather:
• Prefabricate as much of the system as is
possible in a heated work area.
• Store cements and primers in a warmer
area when not in use or between joints to
ensure they remain fluid (No less than
5ºC - 41°F).
• Take special care to remove moisture
including ice and snow from the surfaces
to be joined.
• Use only System 636 Primer to soften
the joining surfaces before applying
cement. More than one application may
be necessary.
• Allow a longer cure period before the
system is used. A heat blanket may be
used to speed up the set and cure times.
• Read and follow all of our directions care-
fully before installation.
• Any grouting of the pipe must be done
after the appliance has been running for
2 hours, this will avoid unecessary stress
on the new joints due to expansion.
All IPEX cements are formulated to have
well balanced drying characteristics and to
have good stability in sub-freezing tempera-
tures.
For all practical purposes, good solvent
cemented joints can be made in very cold
conditions with proper care and common
sense.
Helpful Hints
A properly cemented joint is the most criti-
cal part for a successful installation of pla-
stic venting systems. Here is a list of impor-
tant points to remember for solvent cemen-
ting:
1. Have you reviewed all of the instructions
on the System 636 cement container
label?
2. Are you using the proper System 636
cement for the job…for the type and size
of pipe and correct fittings to be joined?
3. Do you need to take special precautions
because of the unusual weather condi-
tions?
4. Do you have the proper tools and suffi-
cient quantities of System 636 cements
and primer, and is the cement in good
condition?
5. Be sure to use a large enough applicator
to quickly spread cement generously on
pipe and fittings and then assemble
immediately.
6. Avoid puddling excess cement inside the
socket.
7. Be aware at all times of good safety prac-
tices. Solvent cements for pipe and fit-
tings are flammable, so there should be
no smoking or other sources of heat or
flame in working or storage areas. Be
sure to work only in a well ventilated
space and avoid unnecessary skin con-
tact with all solvents. More detailed
safety information is available from IPEX.