How to Repair Seeping PVC Pipe Drain Fittings

PVC cement effectively fuses PVC pipes and fittings, so when joints are properly glued, they seldom develop leaks. Occasionally, however, a plumber may glue a joint improperly, or perhaps even forget to glue it altogether, when installing a drain line. The water in drain pipes isn't pressurized, and you may never know about the weak joint until standing water begins to seep through. Unfortunately, even if the joint isn't glued, you have to cut the pipe to remove it. You can finish the repair either by installing a rubber repair fitting or gluing on new PVC pipe and fittings.


Cut through the pipe on one side of the fitting with a handsaw or a hacksaw. Make the cut flush with the edge of the fitting to preserve as much of the length of the pipe as possible.


Try pulling the fitting of the pipe connection on the other end. If the fitting hasn't been glued, it should come right off, and the repair will be easier. If you can't pull it off, cut through the pipe with the saw flush with the edge of the fitting.


Deburr the ends of the pipes with 120-grit sandpaper. Slip one end of a rubber repair fitting onto one of the pipes and slip the other end onto the other pipe. Repair fittings are longer than conventional ones to make up for the pipe you lose when you cut off a fitting. Tighten the pipe clamp on each end of the fitting with a screwdriver.


Make the repair with PVC fittings if you can't find a suitable rubber fitting. Start by cutting about 12 inches off of one of the pipes, de-burring the end of the pipe and gluing on a PVC coupler with PVC cement. If the cement you're using isn't self-priming, spread primer before you spread the cement. Use the applicator in the can to spread both the primer and the cement.


Dry-fit the new fitting onto the other end of the pipe and measure the distance between the coupling and the fitting with a tape measure. Add 2 inches to the measurement, cut a length of pipe to that length and dry-fit it between the coupling and the new fitting. When you're sure everything fits, remove all the parts you dry-fitted and glue them with PVC cement.