Sometimes, pipes break down, and you get water leaks in your house.

Whether you need to seal or glue PVC pipes, you wouldn’t want to risk further damage due to a failed reparation.

That’s why you must use the right adhesive for PVC applications.

This is what we’ll talk about in this article— the best PVC glues and how to use them.

PVC is among the most difficult plastics to bond. It might be tempting to use any good ol’ plastic glue.

But you’ll only sabotage your repairs. PVC is very hard, non-porous, and highly resistant.

Also, pipes require high water and impact resistance. For a long-lasting fix, you should only opt for the best, most compatible, high-adherence glues.

Keep reading for more high-performance PVC pipe glues and tips on how to use them!

Suitable Glues for PVC

You’ll need to ensure that your adhesive meets certain criteria for the best bond and repair results.

Adherence to PVC and bond strength are the most important. Water, heat, and pressure resistance are also necessary for a long-lasting pipe fix.

Considering all this, the following adhesives make the best options.

PVC Cement

PVC cement is the first and most obvious choice. This glue has the highest strength, but that’s not to say that silicone glue can’t form powerful bonds.

Read more about the above in our guide on how to glue silicone.

The main advantage of PVC cement is its high surface compatibility.

It adheres easily to smooth and hard plastics and forms tough, unbreakable bonds.

This is the best option if you need to lock pipes in place and keep them from moving.

PVC cement is a heavy-duty adhesive; once it sets, the materials become immovable.

This might be an issue if you ever need to work on the pipes again or if you need a more flexible bond.

This PVC adhesive has good pressure and water resistance, so you’re guaranteed a durable fix.

However, nothing great is without downsides. Because this adhesive is usually thick, it takes a long time to dry and set.

That means you’ll have to spend a while clamping materials before curing.

Silicone Glue

Silicone glue is the second-best option for strong, durable bonds. It has some additional perks, such as its high flexibility.

Silicone glue will be your best bet if you need a powerful bond that’s not too rigid.

It’s also a great sealant and waterproof, so you can use it to fix leaking pipes.

However, silicone glue might be a bit more difficult to use compared to PVC cement.

It doesn’t have the best adherence to PVC, so you’ll need to prep the surface with a bonding primer or sand down the surface of the material to make it rougher and more adherent to the glue.

You must also be very careful when spreading the silicone glue on the pipes.

Silicone tends to shrink as it dries, and this could be a problem when you’re trying to seal extensive areas.

For best leaks repairs, you must also account for this shrinking effect if you don’t want a surprise later.

Best 7 Glues for PVC Pipes

Here are my recommendations for the best glue for PVC pipe repair.

1. Oatey 31018 Hydraulic Cement

The Oatey 31018 Hydraulic Cement is our top pick due to its high power and versatility.

This heavy-duty cement adhesive is great for electrical, pressure pipes, and a wide array of DWV applications.

Even better is that it’s also a great bang for your buck. You get 8 fl oz of product for an affordable price.

This adhesive comes with an applicator suitable for pipes with a diameter of up to 6”, lending itself well to various applications, even on wide pipes. It’s also extremely easy to use due to its fast setting time.

Once the glue sets, you’ll get a rigid, immovable bond that will last a very long time.

This cement will hold PVC pipes in place even when exposed to heavy moisture or pressure.

However, you should know that this adhesive is not very heat-resistant. It can only withstand temperatures ranging from 40°F to 110°F.

2. Oatey 30876 Heavy Duty Clear PVC Cement

The Oatey 30876 Heavy Duty Clear PVC Cement is specially formulated for all PVC pipe applications.

This heavy-duty cement offers a fast-setting, durable, and powerful bond.

It has great water and pressure resistance, suitable for pressure pipes up to 12” and 18” non-pressure pipes.

The thick formula is easy to work with and great for filling in gaps and fastening loose pipe joints.

Also, compared to other Oatey cement glues, this formula is clear and dries without leaving any traces.

This makes it perfect for visible surface applications.

While this product works great for fixing critical water pipes, it doesn’t have good temperature resistance.

This cement can withstand temperatures ranging from 40°F to 110°F, making it highly useful for high-temperature environments.

Many PVC applications involve high temperatures, so this PVC cement is quite handy.

3. Oatey 31014 PVC Regular Cement

A heavy-duty adhesive is overkill if you need to complete simple, small-scale repairs.

In that case, the Oatey 31014 PVC Regular Cement is the perfect option for you.

You’ll get a powerful bond suitable for most PVC pipe applications under normal conditions.

This adhesive is easy to use and is suitable for pipes up to 4” in diameter. It’s also great for portable water, conduit, pressure pipes, and DWV applications.

When used for the recommended applications, it’s fast-setting and forms powerful, long-lasting bonds.

This cement adhesive comes at a highly affordable price, and you can purchase many different sizes ranging from 4 fl oz to 1 gallon.

Like other Oatey PVC types of cement, this one is also clear-drying. You can read more about how long it takes for PVC glue to dry in the linked guide.

You can use it for all sorts of visible surface applications without leaving any obvious traces of glue.

All this being said, this adhesive is not the best for large-scale applications or for wide pipes that must withstand heavy pressure.

Like other Oatey types of cement, this Oatey PVC Cement also has low-temperature resistance and should only be exposed to temperatures ranging from 40°F to 110°F.

Clearly, this pipe cement might not be the best if you want an industrial-strength bond, but it’s one of the best products for regular household repairs.

4. Gorilla PVC Cement

Gorilla Glue is a high-quality adhesive that does its job right. This PVC Cement isn’t any different.

The bond it forms is super strong and dries down quickly, with the curing process finishing in a few hours.

Once you bond a PVC pipe with Gorilla PVC cement, you can be sure it’ll stay stable for a long time.

The formula is non-toxic, odorless, and non-flammable, so you don’t need to take specific precautions.

This adhesive doesn’t require a primer, so you’ll finish quickly.

If you want to do a quick repair without wasting time, Gorilla PVC Glue is your best option.

The formula is a bit runny, and you may use too much if you’re not careful.

But many users, including me, agree that its bonding strength is worth everything. Even the long curing time!

This super glue works on any kind of PVC piping.

5. Weld-On 12496 Pint 735 Wet ‘N Dry PVC Cement

I recommend Weld-On PVC Cement for any application involving PVC pipes.

The formula is durable and powerful, with a full waterproof concept and high resistance to heat.

You can use the glue in harsh conditions because it won’t dissipate even when submerged in water.

Once applied, the glue will dry relatively quickly, allowing you to continue the repair and finish faster.

Weld-On PVC Cement is a great option for plumbing repairs or emergencies requiring immediate attention.

The product may start dripping after intensive use, however.

It also won’t offer much working time because it dries quickly. You’ll still be able to finish the job if you move fast.

Read more about PVC glues that work on ABS plastic in the linked guide.

6. T Christy Enterprise RH-RHBV-QP Christy’S Glue Low VOC

This glue has a thick formula that may get goopy from time to time. It’ll retain its shape if you use it a lot.

I recommend it for filling cracks, mending leaks, and other general repairs.

Thanks to its low viscosity and tendency to become goopy, you can use the adhesive like a putty.

T Christy Enterprise Low VOC adhesive is perfect for damp and humid environments, thanks to the high water resistance.

It’s also one of the more affordable glues on this list. You should have no problems using it for general PVC pipe repairs or constructing something from scratch.

7. Loctite Clear Silicone Waterproof Sealant

Last but not least, Loctite Waterproof Sealant is a silicone-based adhesive that’s both affordable and durable.

It’ll retain flexibility even after drying and curing, which is advantageous for some PVC pipe applications or future repairs.

The glue is very easy to use but may become messy if you’re not careful.

The PVC pipe needs to be dry before using Loctite Clear Silicone Sealant.

It doesn’t do well in damp environments when you first apply it.

But once it sets and cures, the adhesive becomes completely waterproof, and you can even submerge it in water with no problems.

It doesn’t do well in high-temperature environments, though.

Why Do You Need to Glue PVC Pipes?

Not all situations demand PVC-specific adhesives or cement. Sometimes, you could do with a general glue that doesn’t have too much tensile strength.

But some circumstances require more holding strength, higher durability, and more resistance to water, heat, and solvents.

For instance, glue is a bad option if you’re planning to use PVC in a mobile setting where you know you need to dismantle and reconstruct it back again.

If it’s a non-essential and dynamic project, then using glue will only make everything more difficult.

But glue or PVC cement is necessary if you’re working on a static and important large-scale project.

You don’t want your PVC pipes to collapse, resulting in material losses.

Even if it starts leaking at some point, you’ll have to repair it again and again.

That wouldn’t happen with a good waterproof PVC glue. I recommend paying more for a proper adhesive and avoiding future expenses with repairs.

Tips for Gluing PVC Pipes

When you want to glue PVC pipes together or bond them to other materials, you’ll need to use specific PVC glues or types of cement.

I recommend reading the usage instructions and specific requirements for every glue you buy.

But there are some common-sense steps you can take when working with PVC cement.

First, you’ll most likely need a primer before applying the glue. The primer substance will make the glue adhere better to the PVC pipe and other materials.

You can also sand down the surface of the pipe to make it more abrasive. The glue will better grip the material if the surface is rougher.

That’s true for most glues, whether we’re talking about wood glue, PVC cement, or plastic glue.

When you make the surface more abrasive, the glue can get into those crevices and cracks better.

You should also do the same when you want to fill gaps and holes.

Before applying the adhesive, clean the pipe of any impurities.

The glue must be in full contact with the surface to obtain a strong and durable bond.

Any impurities between the glue and surface material will weaken the bond.

You can wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove debris and then leave it for a few minutes to dry out.

If you have to sand down the surface, then the debris will be present on the surface, so do a proper clean-up afterward.

Now comes the gluing part. You’ll have no problems bonding the materials if you read the adhesive instructions carefully.

Applying the glue is as simple as it sounds, and the clamping part isn’t difficult.

I recommend following the safety instructions closely so as not to risk your health when using the glues.

Always wear gloves and eye protection to protect yourself from direct contact with the glue.

Some adhesives like superglue set very quickly and will harden in a few seconds. Washing it out will be a hassle afterward.

Moreover, most glues will irritate your eyes and skin and cause immense damage to your internal organs if ingested.

Don’t ingest any adhesive! I also recommend wearing a respirator and working in a well-ventilated environment if you’re using a toxic industrial-grade adhesive.

Lastly, some glues may be flammable, so avoid using ignitable tools around them!

PVC cement is generally non-flammable, so you’re safe using Oatey 31018 Hydraulic Cement or other types of cement.

Wrap-up

Bonding PVC pipes is less difficult than you think. As always, you need the proper adhesive to work efficiently.

Oatey 31018 Hydraulic Cement is the best adhesive for PVC pipes.

The waterproof concept and contact-proof bond prevent leaks or unnecessary movements.

The permanent bond will keep the pipes in place for a long time!

If you have other questions, leave them below, and I’ll be sure to answer them as fast as possible!