Installing PVC pipes in your home takes codes and procedures to get it right. In the olden days, pipe fittings used to be in the open. It exposed pipes to different temperatures and threats that could shorten their lifespan. However, modernity has revolutionized the fitting of PVC Pipes in your plumbing systems. You can thus now adopt a particular approach on how to protect PVC under concrete. At the moment, PVC pipes go underground and under concrete for several reasons. But before commencing a discussion on how to protect PVC pipe under concrete, we will discuss the benefits of burying PVC pipes under concrete.
Apart from the fact burying pipes save space, it is economically friendly. WhatBlueprint says one benefit of burying pipe is that it is good for the environment. Burying pipes pose no immediate threat to the environment. Thus, it causes no disruption whatsoever to the free flow of traffic on the highway. Many homeowners have chosen to go for burying PVC pipes because it is cost-effective and the process is faster, especially when done by an expert who knows the job. In case you are trying to prevent an accident from taking place due to the installation of PVC pipes, the best way to go is to go for it buried pipes under concrete.
If you are looking for a fast way to get your PVC pipes running, burying them is known to be the right choice. The method is also known to save costs. Water meter takes so much money from customers, but with burying pipes, there is the elimination of buying water meters because it does not need water pipe to function.
How to protect PVC pipe under concrete
There are different steps to protect PVC pipe under concrete. Some of them are quite expensive, while others are relatively cheap. Whether you look to install waste pipes on a concrete floor, or to bury water pipes under concrete, here are the steps.
Step 1: – Pour water into the trench
Under this step on how to protect PVC pipe under concrete, you have to pour sand on the trench you are looking to have the pipe buried before you pour the concrete over the sand. Though this step is renowned as one of the most inexpensive ways to protect sand under concrete. It cannot be used for the water system that runs on low pressure. Such will include reclaimed wastewater, potable water, and other instances where the pipes would be exposed to continuous moisture.
What does the sand pouring method do to protect your PVC pipe under concrete? It helps to ensure that the pipes do not rest on the concrete below, and concrete will cover it too. If this is the case, it will be hard to carry out repairs, or if repairs were possible, pipes would get damaged when you try to access them. The disadvantage of this step is that it will be unreasonable to use it for processes where more than two pipes may have to go in the same ground under concrete.
Therefore, there would be no access to buried pipes in a case where adjustment is needed. Hunker suggests an alternative to sand by stating that gravel can be used. They stated that the gravel should be distributed evenly around the pipes with a shovel or rake. It was also on notice that the benefit of having gravel around where you want to lay your PVC pipe is that a drainage layer is created, and there is protection for the pipes
Step 2: Use the Foam pipe wrap
You can protect PVC pipes under concrete using the foam pipe wrap concrete material. This step may be combined with step 1 above. When you use a foam wrap, the foam protects the pipe from any damage that may likely occur. Foams are generally soft and bouncy, and they can protect pipes from friction under the ground.
Step 3: Use Hydraulic cement powder
Using hydraulic cement around PVC pipes is another step to protect PVC pipes under concrete. This is practicable when you mix sufficient concrete and water together with the cement. Hunker further explained that this step helps to protect and provide a structure that will shield the PVC pipes.
Step 4: Use Silicone sealant
It is necessary that you protect the edges of the place where the pipes would be buried. Use a silicone gun and sealant to make the process smooth.
Step 5: Pour the concrete
At this juncture, we think your pipes are protected enough, and you should go ahead to pour your concrete on the PVC pipes. You must make sure the concrete is parked and distributed in a way that there will be no room for air in or outside it.
How to bury PVC pipes in concrete
Now that you know how to protect PVC pipes under concrete, let’s discuss how you can bury PVC pipes in concrete. Burying PVC pipes in concrete is a method adopted to protect the pipes from damage and preserve their lifespan. WhatBluePrint highlighted the importance of burying pipes in concrete to prolong their lifespan.
With the above premise in mind, here are the known steps or methods that you can adopt to bury PVC pipes in concrete.
Step 1
Clear the area of any element that may hinder the safe burying of the PVC pipes. These will include stones, tree roots, and rocks. Afterward, mix your concrete and pour it into the area where you want to bury the pipes. The trench should be about 6 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Lay in your pipes and gradually fill the hole with gravel, ensuring that the filler does not go at once on the pipes.
Step 2
Go for the deep burial of the pipes using the PVC drain pipe sleeve. This sleeve is often used during concrete or masonry work to protect the inside layer of the pipe from any potential damage from exposure to moisture.
Step 3
Pour concrete over your PVC pipes that have been placed deeply into the ground. This step is called the penetration method. It allows you the freedom to bury your pipes as deep as you like before you pour concrete on them.
Step 4
Use the sleeve insertion method to bury your pipes under concrete. Under this subheading, a sleeve wrapping is used to cover the pipes and buried before you pour concrete on them. Kindly note that burying pipes in concrete is not a one-fit-all step. You must consider other factors as well as the depths where the pipes will be buried.
How to protect PVC pipe under concrete: Tips
- Use a cement mortar to protect your pipes when you want to bury them.
- Waterproof your pipes so they do not burst when you bury them.
- Wear all safety gadgets when you are burying pipes under concrete.
- The storage of thermoplastics should be done in a controlled environment where the pipes are not exposed to unfitting temperatures that can cause the pipes to deteriorate over time.
- When you are dealing with PVC OR CPVC pipes, keep them away from moisture or any material that may cause damage to them.
- Ensure you do not drag your pipes across the floor to prevent damage or licks
- Phone the plumber if anything looks confusing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to put PVC pipes in concrete?
Yes, you can put PVC pipes in the concrete the same way you put drain pipes in concrete slab. However, you must ensure that the pipes are protected with the right materials, such as a sleeve or foam pipe wrap to prevent the pipes from degrading over time.
Does concrete damage PVC pipe?
Yes, concrete can damage PVC pipes. But to prevent damage to the pipes, you must ensure that the installation or burial of the pipes is done with the protective PVC pipes in place. This process must be properly done if you were to reap the reward. The pipes would not be susceptible to chemical damage, physical damage, or any long time effect that improperly buried PVC pipes encounter.
Can PVC and CPVC pipes be installed underground?
Yes. PVC and CPVC pipes can be installed underground if the codes and installation regulations are adhered to. Installing waste pipe on the concrete floor requires a test for soils, and what type of soil are the pipes going to go on. In addition, try to prevent these pipes from any licking or damage. If licks or damage is discovered in any pipe, they must be cut and disposed of.
Conclusion
This article discusses how to protect PVC pipes under concrete in a step-by-step guide, following which how to bury PVC pipes was highlighted, taking into account all tips necessary to ensure that pipes are not damaged before they go underground, especially during storage and installation. It is hereby submitted that you should adhere to the strict codes, ordinances and regulations plumbers follow when working with PVC or CPVC pipes if you are to attain the desired results.
References
- https://whatblueprint.com/is-it-safe-to-bury-pvc-pipe-in-concrete/
- https://www.hunker.com/13425482/how-to-pour-concrete-around-pvc-pipe
- https://www.gizmoplans.com/can-you-concrete-over-sewage-pipes/
- https://www.commercial-industrial-supply.com/resource-center/pvc-cpvc-underground-installation/
- https://practiceadvices.com/data/advice/read/36010-can-you-put-pvc-pipe-in-concrete
- https://www.gizmoplans.com/can-you-concrete-over-sewage-pipes/
