Bending PVC pipe - Just because you can

Step 2: Finishing the bend

Once the PVC pipe is good and soft, lay it down on a flat suface and bend it while rotating (or rolling) it.  Do not bend it quickly or stop rotating too soon or the pipe will kink.  Once the bend is the correct angle, hold it while it cools.   As long as you don't overheat it or kink it, it'll hold pressure just like a straight pipe. 

Remember: your heat gun is also your friend when running PVC pipe (or conduit) and you have to make that ~12 degree angle in order to get it into that next fitting - even if the pipe is already in the trench.  Just remember to keep the heat source moving - but please don't try drying your hair with it.. 

Comments

[jimvandamme]

I've bent 3 inch drain pipe by holding it over the kitchen stove and rotating it until got rubbery. Then I put about a 3 degree bend in it to make it drain well. You're not going to make pretzels out of 3 inch DWV pipe.