4/7/2017 WellSoft Owner’s Manual 15
Optional Plumbing Procedures
Hard Plumbing the Bypass With Copper Fittings
Plastic (PVC/CPVC) Pipe Joining Procedures
Do not use Qest fittings for hard plumbing with copper fittings. When preparing the male threaded fittings of the
I/O adapter, use the following guidelines to avoid damage to the plastic pipe threads.
A. Wrap the threads three times with 1/2-in. wide Teflon tape. Place each consecutive wrap on top of the
previous wrap.
B. To prevent tearing of the tape, use Teflon paste on the first two male threads only. The paste lubricates the
tape and fills the small void areas that might exist between the threads. When the joint is complete, there will
be a small bead of sealant at the fitting interface, which indicates a properly joined connection.
C. Use a union with a threaded connection to facilitate repair of potential leaks in soldered joints.
D. Prepare the copper tail assemblies in advance to enable them to cool prior to final assembly. Advance
preparation and cooling will prevent heat damage to the plastic pipe threads of the adapter.
E. Ensure that the copper tube is at least 4 in. (10 cm) long.
F. Turn the fitting counterclockwise until you feel the threads engage and then tighten to prevent cross
threading. DO NOT overtighten the fittings.
Warning: DO NOT allow heat from the torch to transfer to
the plastic valve component, which could be damaged.
To ensure reliable joint integrity when using solvent cement for PVC/CPVC plumbing, follow these
recommendations:
A. Cutting - The pipe must be cut square to allow for the proper interfacing of the pipe end and the fitting socket
bottom. Use a wheel cutter, miter saw, or a ratchet shear for best results.
B. Deburring and Beveling - Use a knife, plastic pipe deburring tool, or a file to remove burrs from the end
of the pipe. Be sure to remove all burrs from the inside as well as the outside of the pipe. Remove all loose
plastic debris since it could clog the injector. All pipe ends should be beveled to permit easier insertion of the
pipe into the fitting. Failure to bevel the pipe end may cause a “wiping” effect in the fitting where the cement is
forced to the end of the fitting socket. This creates a weak joint.
C. Test Dry Fit of the Joint - Tapered fitting sockets are designed so that an interference fit should occur when
the pipe is inserted about one-third to two-thirds of the way into the socket. Occasionally, when pipe and
fitting dimensions are at the tolerance extremes, it will be possible to fully insert dry pipe to the bottom of the
fitting socket. When this happens, a sufficient quantity of cement must be applied to the joint to fill the gap
between the pipe and fitting.
D. Inspection, Cleaning, and Priming - Inspect the inside of the pipe and fitting sockets and remove dirt,
grease, or moisture with a clean dry cloth. If wiping fails to clean the surfaces, use a chemical cleaner.
Check for possible damage such as splits or cracks and replace if necessary. Use purple primer to penetrate
and soften the bonding surfaces of the PVC or CPVC pipe and fittings. Proceed without hesitation to the
cementing procedure while the primed surfaces are still wet.
E. Application of Solvent Cement - Apply the solvent cement evenly and quickly around the outside of the
pipe while the primer is still wet. Apply a light coat of cement evenly around the inside of the fitting socket. Do
not allow excess cement to “puddle” in the fitting. Apply a second coat of cement to the pipe end.
F. Joint Assembly - Working quickly, insert the pipe into the fitting socket and give a one-quarter turn of the
pipe or fitting while pushing toward the fitting stop. This action will evenly distribute the cement. DO NOT
continue to rotate the pipe or fitting after the stop has been reached. Hold the joint tightly together for about
15 seconds to prevent the pipe from “creeping” out of the fitting. A good joint will have sufficient cement
to make a small bead all the way around the outside of the fitting hub. The joint should not be disturbed
immediately after the cementing procedure. Allow adequate time for the joint to cure properly. Exact drying
time is hard to predict because of environmental variables. Follow the recommended joint curing times on the
primer and cement container labels.
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