PVC valves are used on aqua service lines and in pool and fiery tub plumbing. PVC slip joint ball valves are the most commonly used PVC valve in residential interpretation. The ball valve is named for the ball that the valve holder operates. Unfortunately, you can not rebuild most PVC ball valves; they need to be changed when they begin to function improperly. Slip joint PVC ball valves are glued into place and can not simply be removed from the pipe.
Instructions
1. Measure the depth of the slip joint on the replacement PVC ball valve and the PVC couplings. Cut a piece of pipe that is 1/2 inch longer than the combined length of the ball valve and the coupling slip joints to make one connector pipe.
2. Inspect the pipe to determine whether you need to support the line after you make the cut. If the PVC line has hangers within four feet of both sides of the ball valve, you will not need to add any additional support. If the PVC line does not require additional support, skip Step 3.
3. Install a temporary pipe hanger on both sides of the PVC ball valve. Place hangers within four feet of the ball valve. Connect a wire tie loosely around the pipe to form a loop. If you need additional length to hang the pipe from the floor joist, make another loop wire tie loop through the loop around the pipe. Run a screw through the wire tie and into the vertical face of the nearest floor joist.
4. Mark two cuts on the PVC line, one on either side of the PVC ball valve. Allow enough room between the marks to install the ball valve, couplings and connector pipes.
5. Cut the pipe with the PVC cutter or the hacksaw. Remove the burr left on both cuts with the file. Clean the area of the cut with a piece of emery cloth or sandpaper.
6. Clean the outside of the connector pipe and the inside joints of the ball valve and the pipe couplings with PVC cleaner.
7. Turn on the valve that supplies the line you just completed. Inspect the connections for leaks.
8. Clean the pipe that led to the old valve with PVC cleaner. Apply glue to the exterior of the pipe. Run glue around the inside of the coupling attached to the ball valve with the connector pipe. Slide the glued coupling onto the existing pipe with the valve handle facing a direction that is easy to access.
9. Measure from the inside seat of the ball joint's slide joint to the cut end of pipe. Cut a piece of PVC pipe to that dimension. Clean and glue the remaining joints. Remove excess glue with a rag to finish the ball valve change out.
10. Remove the screw from the wire tie attached to the floor joists. Cut the wire tie looped around the pipe with wire cutters. Coat one slip joint on the ball valve and one slip joint on the pipe coupling with PVC cement. Run glue on the exterior of one side of the connector pipe. Insert the pipe into the PVC ball joint that you coated with glue. Add glue to the other side of the connector pipe and slide the pipe coupling over the PVC pipe.
