How To Test PVC Drain Pipes With Water

Why is water leaking from the roof all over the floor of this new building?
I’m getting my above ceiling rough-in inspections, and we’re required to use water to test PVC waste lines and vents.
Years ago, we filled these with 5 pounds of air, but that’s not allowed anymore because of the danger of the pipe exploding.
The plumbers put a boiler drain at the bottom of the vent pipe.
I connect one end of a washing machine hose to the valve and the other end to my cordless Milwaukee pump.
This pump actually has enough power to push water to the top of the pipe above the roof.
As soon as water starts to spill over, I shut the valve, then turn off the pump.
Now the pipe is filled right to the top.
When the inspector comes- they can shake the pipe- if water comes out they know it is full, and there are no leaks.
This way the only person that has to get on the roof is the roofer when he comes to install this boot to make everything watertight.
After I pass inspection, I attach a garden hose and drain the water out.
Earlier I was taking a test plug off at the other end of the warehouse and there was some water trapped that didn’t come out the drain - unfortunately I soaked the camera lady. @hausplans

#build #building #howto #inspection #plumbing #drainpipes #construction #diy #contractor

[JCcanU]

sure have changed everything in 40 years from 1980-95 i did plumbing in Detroit PVC they only looked to see the primer, then in the 90s wanted air . But you do as they want . cool video

[Ryan-iirx]

We have to do the same thing for our pool builds except everything is capped so adding the water puts pressure on. I wasn’t watching the gauge and blew the whole plumbing tree off. Started the week off soaked at 8am on a monday

[SevenPain]

Yeah think thats one of my crews fault we can't use air at the aquarium in Atlanta had test crew filling line with air came break time they forgot to turn compressor off it reached over 200lbs and PVC exploded we had osha and everyone out there this was 2013 or 14

[funkmanone]

If your camera lady is soaked, you’re doing something right.

[AJ-oxxy]

Things are more expensive than in the past. A water leak always sucked but now a water leak can bankrupt you. Really can't mess around anymore based on what everyone is paying.

[ball_of_wires]

5 pounds will not explode the pipe. We ran a whole shop for years with 3/4" at 90 psi. It did crack once. Then we replaced with copper.

[josephjames]

Most inspectors will allow 5psi of air for a test. Plumbing code book states "plastic pipe shall not be tested using air". Have had inspectors that will only allow water tests.

[RedactLluks]

Man I need me a camera lady .. YouTube is so tough to figure out alone 😅

[Thewonderbreadman]

5lbs of air definitely won't bust the pipe. I think water is better though because it's easier to detect a leak rather than watching for a pressure drop. You can't detect air leaks without bubblesoap or a pressure gauge, but you can detect water leaks nearly instantly.

[petercoutu]

Five pounds of arrows dangerous. A power plant that I used to work at tested scheduled 80PVC pipe to stand over 200 pounds of air.

[ALegit]

Why is it that you can test psi with water but not air? I saw the warning on my PVC cement. Obviously water is easier to find a leak but what causes the rupture?

[DreStyle]

Lol Milwaukee makes absolutely everything 😂

[Tom]

It wouldn't be exploding pipe you would have to deal with, it would be flying fittings on a failed fitting(lack of cement) randomly flying apart and at 5psi it would not have tooo much energy in most situations.
Most low pressure plumbing inspections where we are are still air tests.
HP testing is done with water, you do not want anything to come apart at 250 psi if there is a 3000 ft run of 8'' pipe charged with that might be a bad time.

[themisfitter]

What state plumbing code? I thought Kentucky was different…

[quietobserver]

Why not vent out the gable end, up high? After 22 years of building steel buildings I've yet to understand why you'd cut a hole in a brand new metal roof and then depend on a $12 boot not to dry rot and leak.🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[StarKnight]

inspector comes by 4 months later- "There's no water in there so it fails"

[gzus]

I swear I thought this mug was Spice Adam's. 😂😂😂

[recoblade]

You never have to ask somebody if there are Milwaukee Fanboy just give him five minutes they'll be sure to tell you

[bits]

Well ur right almost! It's always been to test with water if you read your code book, and your supposed to have 10 feet of head pressure on that pipe not just fill the pipe, so you were taught wrong JR. If you don't believe me ask any inspector

[truckstreestoys]

Water coming down being a pass criteria is so counter intuitive