Plastic Pipe Joint Leaking in Confined Loft Space Solvent Cement Failure Repair

A homeowner in the United Kingdom makes a repair to a plastic pipe leaking through solvent cement failure in a loft where the confined space made it impossible to cut out and replace the faulty joint.

Case Study Overview

• Site – Domestic property
• Location – United Kingdom
• Pipe Type – Plastic drain pipe
• Repair Type – Leak repair
• Products – Sylmasta AB Original Epoxy Putty, SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage

Plastic Pipe Solvent Cement Failure

The plastic pipe was located in a confined loft space in the roof of the house which could only be reached through a small hole in the ceiling.

Solvent cement bonding two sections of pipe together had weakened and failed, allowing water to seep through the joint and saturate the surrounding wooden floor.

When solvent cement joints suffer failure, the normal repair method is to cut out and replace the leaking section.

This was not an option for the homeowner because of the lack of access into the loft and the confined space. The joint was also located next to a 90-degree elbow.

As a result, the most viable repair method was to seal the joint with the pipe still in place.

SylWrap Repair Solution for Solvent Cement Failure

The leaking joint was encompassed all the way around its entire diameter with Sylmasta AB Original Epoxy Putty to create a watertight seal. AB Original was chosen for its wet surface adhesion properties and extended two-hour work time.

Having longer to mix, shape and apply the putty meant the homeowner did not need to rush the application out of fear AB Original would cure off too quickly, as might have been the case with a faster-setting putty like Superfast Aqua PW.

AB Original was kneaded by hand until it was streak free and a uniform white colour. The homeowner then formed the mixed putty into a long ‘sausage shape’ and wrapped it around the joint. The putty was pressed down firmly and smoothed against the pipe with a little water.

Three AB Original ‘sausages’ were applied in total to completely cover the joint. AB Original easily formed a permanent bond to the plastic, leaving the leak area surrounded by a ring of epoxy putty sealing the joint.

After applying AB Original, the homeowner reinforced the repair by overwrapping with SylWrap HD Pipe Repair Bandage. SylWrap HD was activated with water. The homeowner then wrapped it around the joint whilst AB Original remained slightly tacky and soft.

SylWrap HD helped force the putty as tightly as possible against the joint for an even more effective seal. After a few minutes, the bandage cured to create a rock-hard, impact resistant sleeve strengthening the repair.

Repair Outcome

The homeowner completed the repair in under 45 minutes with no specialist equipment or tools needed. AB Original and SylWrap HD provided a quick and easy alternative compared with trying to remove and replace the leaking section of plastic pipe in such a small work area.

Products Used

AB Original Epoxy Putty
Epoxy putty with extended work time giving users longer to shape and apply

SylWrap HD Bandage
Composite wrap reinforces repairs by forming a rock-hard outer shell

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