Thread: PVC to ABS

I see PVC glued to ABS in drain lines from time to time. I have yet to see a junction leaking.

When you see this, do you call it out even if it's fully functional and absent of leaks?

No not if it is sound and the proper glue used.

Originally Posted by John Dirks Jr

I see PVC glued to ABS in drain lines from time to time. I have yet to see a junction leaking.

When you see this, do you call it out even if it's fully functional and absent of leaks?

JD: I have seen both the Oatey green transition cement and no-hub transitions for PVC to ABS connections, but most of the AHJs in my area will disallow both.

A single transition fitting between different types of systems and the correct solvent is what the AHJs accept here.

There is no correct solvent for joining the two different materials together.The solvent for PVC is to aggressive for ABS and the ABS stuff does not solvent weld the PVC properly. There are solvents that say they will join the two differnt pasltics togather but they do not meet the ASTM standards.

A proper transition is a a PVC to no-hub transition fitting, a no-hub coupling then a ABS no-hub transition fitting. Or You could use PVC male/female fitting threaded into a ABS male/female fittings.

Acrylonitrite Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Pipe
ASTM D 2661-1997A, ASTM F 628-1997, CSA B181.1 in B1800-1999

Joints
ASTM D 2235-1996,a CSA B602-1999

Solvent Cement
ASTM D 2235-1996a, CSA B181.1 in B1800-1999

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pipe and Fittings
ASTM D 2665-1996, ASTM D 2949-1987, CSA B137.2-1999 in B137, CSA B181.2-1999 in B137

Solvent Cement
ASTM D 2564-1996

Originally Posted by Ron Hasil

Acrylonitrite Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Pipe
ASTM D 2661-1997A, ASTM F 628-1997, CSA B181.1 in B1800-1999

Joints
ASTM D 2235-1996,a CSA B602-1999

Solvent Cement
ASTM D 2235-1996a, CSA B181.1 in B1800-1999

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pipe and Fittings
ASTM D 2665-1996, ASTM D 2949-1987, CSA B137.2-1999 in B137, CSA B181.2-1999 in B137

Solvent Cement
ASTM D 2564-1996

ASTM D3138 -04 Standard Specification for Solvent Cements for Transition Joints Between...

Originally Posted by Ron Hasil

There is no correct solvent for joining the two different materials together.

Weld-On® ABS to PVC Transition Cements | IPS Corporation

ASTM D 3138 Standard Specification for Solvent Cements for Transition Joints Between Acrylonitrile- Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) and Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Non-Pressure Piping Components

Originally Posted by Ron Hasil

Or You could use PVC male/female fitting threaded into a ABS male/female fittings.

It is my understanding that those are "adapters" for "adapting" from slip to threaded and not "transition" fittings to "transition" from one material to another.

We had a thread on this quite some time ago, maybe a year ago or so, with links to "transition" fittings.

This was not the link, I thought I had saved the other link but cannot find it, however this shows the "transition" fittings: http://www.spears.com/prod_brochures...7_0208_web.pdf

You could transition from PVC to metal to ABS (or whatever transition fittings you used allowed for).

Weld-On® ABS to PVC Transition Cements | IPS Corporation

ASTM D 3138 Standard Specification for Solvent Cements for Transition Joints Between Acrylonitrile- Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) and Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Non-Pressure Piping Components

Originally Posted by Michael Larson

Weld-On® ABS to PVC Transition Cements | IPS Corporation

ASTM D 3138 Standard Specification for Solvent Cements for Transition Joints Between Acrylonitrile- Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) and Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Non-Pressure Piping Components

Michael, do you know if all cements meeting D3138 are GREEN?

Originally Posted by Vern Heiler

Michael, do you know if all cements meeting D3138 are GREEN?

VH: Oatey's is green. I think at least one other is blue, but do not remember the brand.

IPS Weld-On is also green. I don't know about the rest.

Originally Posted by Ron Hasil

Acrylonitrite Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Pipe
ASTM D 2661-1997A, ASTM F 628-1997, CSA B181.1 in B1800-1999

Joints
ASTM D 2235-1996,a CSA B602-1999

Solvent Cement
ASTM D 2235-1996a, CSA B181.1 in B1800-1999

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Pipe and Fittings
ASTM D 2665-1996, ASTM D 2949-1987, CSA B137.2-1999 in B137, CSA B181.2-1999 in B137

Solvent Cement
ASTM D 2564-1996

I am sorry the above is from the Illinois code book as approved types of pipe , fittings and solvent. I should resist posting while having a migraine.So anyways, the ones you list do have an ASTM standard but is not listed in the Illinois plumbing code book as approved solvents. You will have to check to see if they are allowed in your local area as we all know all plumbing codes vary from state to state.

Back to John's question. I've had a PVC pipe glued to ABS under my shower for about 16 years, and it hasn't leaked yet. I also haven't seen any leaking at other houses (yet). However, I haven't inspected thousands of houses either.

I usually tell them that the two type of pipe are not meant to be glued together, etc. I doubt anyone ever does much else with the information.

I doubt anyone ever does much else with the information.

JR: As is the case with much of what we report, I fear.

So even if there is a solvent available to use that will glue the two types of pipe together, how can you tell from a visual perspective that it is?

Originally Posted by Randy Yates

So even if there is a solvent available to use that will glue the two types of pipe together, how can you tell from a visual perspective that it is?

RY: Though at least some of them are green in color, you cannot for certain know that the proper material was used.

Thanks A.D. for the reply!

Originally Posted by A.D. Miller

JR: As is the case with much of what we report, I fear.

i almost don't want to know how many clients actually read their report. i'm fairly sure the answer would be depressing.

re; PVC to ABS, i also call it out as non-standard installation if connectors are not present, and mention if active leaking was/was not present.

Originally Posted by dave koloskee

i almost don't want to know how many clients actually read their report. i'm fairly sure the answer would be depressing. ..

I know what you mean. They get a credit at closing for all the life-threatening hazards you have disclosed to them, and then they spend the money on kitchen cabinets.
It's like when you have a fender-bender that's the other guy's fault. You get a check from the insurance company. You stand there and look at the check, and look at the dent, and look at the check, and say to yourself, Heck, I can live with that dent! And you cash the check and get a flat screen tv.