Very helpful for me right out of the gate by identifying the name/description of the two halves of the slip union. I need to replace the pvc supply and discharge lines for my sprinkler system backflow device because the male threads of each line are damaged and leaking. Each of the lines attach to the continuous portion going into the ground by slip union connectors. I had no idea what they were called and how to search for partial replacements until I saw this video. Even though the slip unions are not damaged, they are glued to the part that needs to be replaced. FYI - these are 16 years old and held up well. They allowed me to easily disconnect my $$$ Backflow device and move it into the house during the winter.
How do you do this without increasing the total length of the plumbing? As in how do you know exactly how much of the PVC to “trim” from the existing pipe so that the union doesn’t ADD length.
One union should have been turned over. That way if you need to replace the valve again or the pipe gets damaged you only need to buy one union to repair it. This is especially true if you put unions on your back flow preventers. It keep anyone from installing the back flow preventer backwards.
@@averageguy1261 Sorry. Im better with my hands than I am with my head. Im not the best word smith. My uncle who was a maintenance man at a manufacturing facility taught me this trick. If you have to repair or replace the item attached with the unions, why buy two unions and throw the same two halves away?
Unions are usually a temporary fix ir an emergency fix if the parts are not readily available but shutting the water off at the house or unit is the best way to do any plumbing work so you can get the parts needed. If you can't keep the water off like at a shared apartment complex a union would be the fix then the water is back on the off when you return with the parts
I have a couple of unions on my property. They have been there for decades - no problems. I would say if they are leaking, replace them, BUT make SURE that if you are using a PVC primer (you should), DON'T let ANY primer touch the O-ring, as this video installer DID at 2:24, you can see it plain as day - it's Purple.
Well it was a good video, but most folks would screw up if they were putting a glue union in a line without deducting the takeout of the union. You should show your subscribers how important takeout is.
The utilization of PVC Unions is so it can be taken apart and put back together again without the use of specialized tools. Allows to be worked on with relative ease.
@@MAGAMAN it’s supposed to be an educational video that people can learn from (that’s the whole point of people making these videos). So it’s a reasonable expectation that someone would expect to come away from this video with an understanding of the topic. For someone for whom this is brand new territory, the video doesn’t do such a great job at the how-to.
Good video. Educational, clear, and with humor. Nice job.
Thank you!
Very helpful for me right out of the gate by identifying the name/description of the two halves of the slip union. I need to replace the pvc supply and discharge lines for my sprinkler system backflow device because the male threads of each line are damaged and leaking. Each of the lines attach to the continuous portion going into the ground by slip union connectors. I had no idea what they were called and how to search for partial replacements until I saw this video. Even though the slip unions are not damaged, they are glued to the part that needs to be replaced. FYI - these are 16 years old and held up well. They allowed me to easily disconnect my $$$ Backflow device and move it into the house during the winter.
Thanks and Blessings Alfred!
Thank you for this video!
How do you do this without increasing the total length of the plumbing? As in how do you know exactly how much of the PVC to “trim” from the existing pipe so that the union doesn’t ADD length.
They have this fancy tool called a tape measure.
@@MAGAMAN I guess you've never actually tried to measure the length of a union.
Great video thanks. Clear and simple, good for idiots like myself
Unions are king!
One union should have been turned over. That way if you need to replace the valve again or the pipe gets damaged you only need to buy one union to repair it. This is especially true if you put unions on your back flow preventers. It keep anyone from installing the back flow preventer backwards.
Took me a second to understand this, but this is the small golden tip in the comments
OooOoooh, it took me 10x before I understood. Thanks!
@@averageguy1261 Sorry. Im better with my hands than I am with my head. Im not the best word smith. My uncle who was a maintenance man at a manufacturing facility taught me this trick. If you have to repair or replace the item attached with the unions, why buy two unions and throw the same two halves away?
What about insulating it?
If the length is critical, do I need to cut off extra pvc to end up at the same overall length?
Cut the same amount
Do you have to do maintenance on those unions, for example do the O rings go bad after some time?
Unions are usually a temporary fix ir an emergency fix if the parts are not readily available but shutting the water off at the house or unit is the best way to do any plumbing work so you can get the parts needed. If you can't keep the water off like at a shared apartment complex a union would be the fix then the water is back on the off when you return with the parts
I have a couple of unions on my property. They have been there for decades - no problems.
I would say if they are leaking, replace them, BUT make SURE that if you are using a PVC primer (you should), DON'T let ANY primer touch the O-ring, as this video installer DID at 2:24, you can see it plain as day - it's Purple.
Any advantage of the threaded versus solvent union?
Hello,
This will be customer preference.
How long will the unions on the inlet side last under constant pressure?
The longevity of unions will be like any other fitting. They are able to utilized under constant pressure.
My question too! Thanks for asking!
I love these now!
We are glad to hear!
Make it easy . Thanks !
Looks like a real professional job with glue running down the pipes
Why not just go male adapter into bottoms of anti siphon valves and slip into cut pvc?
Very nice
Video hindi me
Well it was a good video, but most folks would screw up if they were putting a glue union in a line without deducting the takeout of the union. You should show your subscribers how important takeout is.
You didn't mention a word about how many turns on the pipe threads, nor how to tighten the union so it doesn't leak. REALLY??
If you are that dumb, you should probably not be doing this kind of work.
PRO Tip: Tighten it until it doesn't leak.
Why not just use a coupling fitting?
The utilization of PVC Unions is so it can be taken apart and put back together again without the use of specialized tools. Allows to be worked on with relative ease.
It skipped right over the part I needed to see… when he was putting the pieces together at the end. Ugh.
Bad advise I used 12 of these on my sprinkler valves nothing but problems a true nightmare. Now I have to take them out what a waste of money.
that was no help at all
If you're learning how to use Union join its 100% helpful seems like you have a different issue
Waaah, he didn't solve my issue that he never claimed he was going to solve. Waaaah!
@@MAGAMAN it’s supposed to be an educational video that people can learn from (that’s the whole point of people making these videos). So it’s a reasonable expectation that someone would expect to come away from this video with an understanding of the topic. For someone for whom this is brand new territory, the video doesn’t do such a great job at the how-to.