Pressure testing DWV

Jar546

Jar546

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OK, professional plumbers. How you you pressure test your PVC or ABS DWV systems when required for inspection?

I think we can get a good conversation out of this subject.
 
lots of gun powder down the stack.


BUt really we fill the whole system with water. You have test balls and caps and test plugs blocking off the openings.
 
I am bringing this up because the IPC and IRC have a water method and air pressure test. The compressed air test seems to be the most popular but the plastic pipe industry does not allow it even though it is widespread.

Many times on jobsites, there is no waterflow because there is a well and it is often not ready for use when the plumbing rough is due.
 
99% of the time we use air @5lbs. Manufactureres don't like you pumping foam core pvc up past 7 lbs. Water is a huge pain in the you know what, but occasionally necessary.
 
test

Water. It is easier to find a leak, often at a cleanout plug, than air. And if it is a stubborn cleanout plug that will not seal, the inspector can see it and will usually not reject it. That would not be the case with air.
 
I once caught a plumber gluing the plugs on the clean outs. I was like WTF man are you crazy?!?! Apparently he never did service work. The inspectors learned of his practice and made him go back on 100's of jobs to correct this issue.
 
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