Pressure Testing CPVC

[John Dillinger]

I am instaalling the bathroom in the shop and it is time to air test the plumbing. The CPVC is rated at 100 PSI @ 80C and the water pressure will be 60 PSI . I used CPVC on both hot and cold although it is not necessary on the cold. How much air pressure do I need to air test the lines?
Indusrial electrical work is my thing. I just get by with plumbing

Thanks JD

 

[Steevo]

Is there a question in there somewhere?

 

[s.a.steel]

Testing any PVC pipe with air is dangerous. It should really be tested hydrostatically(with water).

 

[isaac338]

Is there a question in there somewhere?

"How much air pressure do I need to air test the lines?"

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

You dont need to air test the lines,just use the one step solvent glue,apply to both ends
then insert the parts followed with a 90* degree twist. There will be no leaks.

 

[R6 Racer]

I don't know if this helps at all, but I had a leak in one of my pool lines. All my lines are underground & under a poured concrete deck.
The pool company gave me the name of a company who specialized in finding leeks like mine. They ran the pump until the lines were as full of water as possible then sealed off both ends. They basically pressurised the water filled lines with a scuba tank up to the pressure of 60psi & waited to see which one went down.

So at least I know that its safe to use air pressure to pressure test water filled lines.
Oh Ya at least lines that are under ground.

Oh ... never mind.

Steve

 

[Torque1st]

Look on the manufacturer's website. They usually have instructions for testing.

 

[nehog]

As mentioned test with water, not air... But generally testing is not necessary if you did the glue right.

 

[brownbagg]

all you do is fill with water and wait couple hours to see if it falls

 

[ddawg16]

I don't know if this helps at all, but I had a leak in one of my pool lines. All my lines are underground & under a poured concrete deck.
The pool company gave me the name of a company who specialized in finding leeks like mine. They ran the pump until the lines were as full of water as possible then sealed off both ends. They basically pressurised the water filled lines with a scuba tank up to the pressure of 60psi & waited to see which one went down.

So at least I know that its safe to use air pressure to pressure test water filled lines.
Oh Ya at least lines that are under ground.

Oh ... never mind.

Steve

Wrong.....you stated above they filled all the lines as much as they good with water. They only used the air tank as the final pressure source. That volume of air was extremly small. Had there been a break, the water would have just gone 'blub'. No danger. Whereas, had all of the lines been filled with air....a break would have been much more dangerous.

To the OP....hook up the water...turn it on....if it leaks, fix it....if not....don't worry about it.

 

[gsport]

i don't think checking with air is a bad thing here just because he's not going to be going full air presure... 60 lbs of presure wouldn't explode anything. if he has a failure it would be just a fitting popping off.

 

[buddyboy]

pressure test your drains and vents with 5# for 1/4 to 1/2 hour

not sure about pressure testing for water lines

good luck

 

[W650Mike]

1.5 x operating pressure is a very common water line test pressure. Check w/ a rental sop for a hand pump hydro test unit; fill with water, vent the air, attach pump and increase the pressure. Hold for at least 30min (2hr is more common) - checking for leaks.

No leaks or separations? Good to go!

 

[VWandDodge]

i don't think checking with air is a bad thing here just because he's not going to be going full air presure... 60 lbs of presure wouldn't explode anything. if he has a failure it would be just a fitting popping off.

At 60lbs it's going to fire off like a rocket or explode.

:sigh: Here we go again.
http://www.osha.gov/dts/hib/hib_data/hib19880520.html

Safely Testing PVC and CPVC Pipe Systems

 

[Will67]

My county require both hot and cold water lines pressurized with air at I think 10or 20 psi. I was at work when it happened, but do remember coming home at gauge was still on cold water line and still had pressure at 10 psi. Be damn careful when you de-pressurize do it very slow

 

[bad_idea]

hydrostatic test with water. air is dangerous. water good. air bad.

think of a bullet traveling through air vs traveling through water. water absorbs force.

 

[John Dillinger]

Thanks for everyones input

JD