PVC pipes are sturdy, and so are PVC pipes. However, in many cases, PVC is only useful when you clean it. A bit of dusty texture can be fine in most cases, but you may need to do more to make sure the pipes are clean, unclogged and ready at other times.
Like many other building materials, people are concerned about proper cleaning techniques when it comes to PVC plumbing. Worried that a certain solvent might react? Let’s talk about the most common ways to clean those plumbing fixtures.
instruments
What you need to clean PVC pipe will change depending on how much you need to clean it and whether you want to unclog the pipe. These tools, in particular, can help:
- Acetone
- PVC detergent
- Go Gone
- A cloth
- A brush
- Toilet pump
- Snake
- Enzymatic drain cleaner
PRO TIP – Before you run to the hardware store, be sure to read our instructions on pipe cleaning. Different cleaning techniques will require different tools and you don’t have to buy them all. Make a plan, then go shopping. It will save you some serious money.
Methods of cleaning PVC pipes according to purpose
Are several ways to clean PVC pipes, and the right method for you depends on what you have available as well as the purpose of your project. Whether it’s unclogging the inside of a drain pipe or just cleaning letters off a pipe, we have the solution.
To make things easier, we chose to make cleaning methods by purpose.
Surface cleaning
1. General cleaning (ideal)
The best way to clean the outside of a PVC pipe is to wipe the pipe with PVC detergent using a pad or cloth. This is a specific solvent that is meant to clean PVC pipes, ideally before you glue PVC fittings and connections together.
If you have dirt, grease, grime or other types of gross material on the outside of the pipe, use a cleaner. It is very efficient and is actually designed to remove sand prior to the application of PVC primer and PVC cement.
To use a PVC cleaner, soak a cloth in the detergent and wipe the PVC. This should be enough to make sure you have a clean surface before gluing.
PRO TIP – Do this in a ventilated area. Vapors from this solvent are strong and may cause dizziness in sensitive individuals.
2. Removal of letters
Does your PVC pipe have a bunch of letters and letters on it? You may want to remove them before you start gluing or building with it. This is a fairly simple task. To do this, follow the steps below:
- If the letters are very heavily stamped on the pipes, dip a cloth in Goo Gone. Rub the affected area to try to clean it.
- Wash off Goo Gone with hot water and dish soap. This is actually the standard protocol for using this product.
- Use another cloth and dip it in the acetone. Use the cloth to wipe off the letters. Allow it to dry before adding glue or using the PVC pipe.
PRO TIP – In most cases, people can get PVC letters without Goo Gone. Acetone can also be used to clean the outside surface of the pipe without the harsh chemicals found in PVC cleaner.
Cleaning the clogs
1. How to Clean a Clog in PVC Plumbing (Physical Means)
You they have a clog in a PVC pipe connected to a bathroom drain or toilet bowl? We will go through some of the easiest ways to remove clogs.
- If the pipe has been removed from the plumbing, use a brush to remove debris from the inside walls of the pipe. This is not always possible, but if it is, you can easily remove the debris with this method.
- Start by trying to unclog the pipe using a plunger if you can. A plunger is good for drains that have PVC pipe because the construction of the channel allows you to create a vacuum. A few hard pumps can usually dislodge the clogs and get things going.
- If the plunger didn’t prove to be a good solution, use a drain snake to scrape the inside of the pipe. You may need to call a professional plumber for this, but if you have a drain snake handy and know how to use it, this will fix most clogs.
PRO TIP – Having a hard time getting things to move in a dry pipe? Consider adding baking soda and vinegar to the inside edges of the pipe. The bubbling chemical reaction is said to help loosen things up.
2. How to clean a clog in PVC plumbing (chemical means)
Grease build-up is common in kitchen plumbing, and yes, PVC pipes are usually the ones that tend to carry kitchen sludge out of the house. Fortunately, there are chemicals that make it easier to remove dirt.
The best way to clean most organic clogs is to use a enzymatic cleaner. Here’s how to use it:
- Pick up an enzyme cleaner from your local grocery store. If your pipes have a particularly foul odor, you may want to check out a scented option. I do and they are great at neutralizing odors.
- Pour the cleaning solution down the drain. Ideally, you’ll follow the directions on the bottle, but it’s good to know that you won’t have any negative effects if you use more. There are no harsh chemicals in it, so it doesn’t seem like it will corrode your pipes.
- Wait at least an hour and then wash the area with water. How long you wait depends on the size of the mess as well as the instructions on the bottle. In most cases, it’s a minimum of an hour to over eight for serious messes.
PRO TIP – Don’t have an enzyme cleaner on hand? No problem. Most «fluid plumbers» for kitchen use are safe for PVC pipe, primarily because kitchen plumbing is usually made of PVC pipe.
Extended tips
Cleaning PVC pipes is pretty easy to do, for the most part. However, there are a few tips that can help you make sure your cleaning time isn’t wasted:
- An enzymatic detergent can break down organic material well, but if you can’t find one, you can also use a standard detergent. The important thing to check is the contents that will clog the drain. Regular materials will not react with drain cleaner, but chemicals will.
- Avoid using chlorine or chlorinated detergents with PVC pipes. Chlorine it is one of the only chemicals that can add to corrosion in PVC pipes.
- If you just need to clean the inside of the pipe without removing the pipe, a quick rinse with water and dish soap is usually enough. This won’t be as effective as acetone or a drain cleaner, but it often does enough to get everything clean enough.
- You can also use acetone inside the pipes to remove any residue that the enzymatic cleaner can’t get to. Acetone is definitely the name of the game when it comes to cleaning PVC pipes in one go.
- If use a chemical cleaner, always follow the instructions and follow them carefully. While enzyme cleaners are gentle, chemical cleaners are not and can cause damage if used improperly. The instructions are there for a reason.
- Remember, the biggest concern is not the PVC plumbing in most cases. The metal fittings that often hold PVC pipes together tend to be more prone to corrosion and breakage. PVC itself can handle all kinds of chemicals. The other plumbing around it can’t, which is why it’s wise to stick to gentle cleaning.
- If the clog is persistent, don’t try to make a cleaning solvent mixture – call a plumber instead. Mixing solvents can cause a fatal reaction that leads to toxic gas leaks from pipes. When in doubt, call a plumber. Trying to DIY your plumbing is not worth your life.
In conclusion
There are a lot of reasons why you may need to clean your PVC pipes. Sometimes it’s just a matter of preparing your pipe for a new joint or tack welding process. Other times, it is due to a blockage inside the pipe that poses a hazard to the system in which your pipe is located.
Pipe cleaning doesn’t have to be a major ordeal, especially when you’re working with a material like PVC. The important thing to remember is that PVC is remarkably robust, so most cleaning solvents can be used on it. The joints around it? Not so much.
In most cases, a single cleaning mistake will not harm your system. When in doubt, it’s always best to use a gentle but effective cleaner that won’t rock the boat.
