Is it possible/ worth it to unglue fittings attached to blue piping?

[BeastOfBodmin]

We just moved a stack of blue piping, with various elbow and tap connectors glued on, from one place in the garden to another.

 

Is it possible, or even worth it, to unglue some of these parts for reuse?

[Crossy]

A heat gun or gas torch on the inside of the pipe will soften things enough to work the pipe out.

 

I wouldn't trust the re-used fittings on much pressure but when needs must ...

 

One of many YouTube videos: -

 

 

[Artisi]

For the cost of fittings is it worth the hassle, plus certainly quicker to use new ones. 

[Jeff the Chef]

I have managed to refit some parts after they came apart by using wirewool to get the old glue/cement off the used fittings and renewing the glue/cement to refit, but as has been said for the price of new not worth the bother unless its an emergency.

[Muhendis]

2 hours ago, Jeff the Chef said:

I have managed to refit some parts after they came apart by using wirewool to get the old glue/cement off the used fittings and renewing the glue/cement to refit, but as has been said for the price of new not worth the bother unless its an emergency.

 

Blue PVC pipes (and other colours too) are neither glued nor cemented together. They are welded using a PVC solvent. If the joint has been done properly, it is virtually impossible to take it apart.

As has been said. Get new pipes, joints and fittings. They are dirt cheap and very easy to fit.

[sometimewoodworker]

3 hours ago, BeastOfBodmin said:

Is it possible, or even worth it, to unglue some of these parts for reuse?

It’s absolutely possible, it is usually not too difficult.
 

The only time it makes sense is if you need the fitting and a new one will take too long to get.

 

Despite the contention of some, the parts are not bonded by more than the odd molecule so heat will release them. However the degree of heat is very close to the amount able to deform the fittings so you will probably deform a few before you get the feel for the minimum heat needed.

 

For amusement/education I have taken some apart, the pipe is always sacrificial.

 

NB the joints I took apart were always done correctly, so the contention that they are permanent and irreversible is incorrect.

 

The only absolutely permanently joined pipe is welded PP-R 

[frank83628]

3 hours ago, BeastOfBodmin said:

We just moved a stack of blue piping, with various elbow and tap connectors glued on, from one place in the garden to another.

 

Is it possible, or even worth it, to unglue some of these parts for reuse?

I use a grinder and slowly put a few cuts through the glued joints, then break off with an old chisel or flat screwdriver. 

[UWEB]

6 hours ago, BeastOfBodmin said:

We just moved a stack of blue piping, with various elbow and tap connectors glued on, from one place in the garden to another.

 

Is it possible, or even worth it, to unglue some of these parts for reuse?

No, not at all. All this blue Fittings regardless the size costs peanuts.

[rwill]

I've seen them cut the fittings on both sides of the pipe and pry the fitting off.  Just deep enough to cut the fitting and not the pipe.

So they can be removed.

[Luuk Chaai]

I had a Thai "plumber" a the house last week to replace a pump

sat there  for 45 minutes watching him cut and chisel away at the old fitting so he could reuse them..

I waited until he was all done with that then pulled out the bag with all the new fittings needed ( I'm always prepared )

not a shot in hell I would re-use any of those

 

[thaibeachlovers]

Seriously? For the cost of blue fittings one wants to spend the time and hassle to take the old fittings off?

 

Just cut the pipe as close to the fitting as possible and use elsewhere. The fittings get dumped.

[Sydebolle]

Don't go there, the heat guns result in brittled PVC which can create much more headache and financial issues than replacing used piping parts with brand-new stuff 😉 

[Garouda]

On 2/26/2025 at 9:07 AM, BeastOfBodmin said:

We just moved a stack of blue piping, with various elbow and tap connectors glued on, from one place in the garden to another.

 

Is it possible, or even worth it, to unglue some of these parts for reuse?

I've done it several times, just cut the pipe at about one inch from the fitting then use a plier to tear the pipe around the plier until it is removed, heating can help, but it is tricky.

[digger70]

Yes you can and can reuse ,But  it's Not worth the trouble  .

Cut the fittings of and glue New fittings .those small fitting are cheap.

[The Old Bull]

It depends on how far you are away from the store because the most expensive item will be the fuel you use going to the store.

[khunPer]

On 2/26/2025 at 3:07 AM, BeastOfBodmin said:

We just moved a stack of blue piping, with various elbow and tap connectors glued on, from one place in the garden to another.

 

Is it possible, or even worth it, to unglue some of these parts for reuse?

Most plastic parts for blue pipes are so cheap that reuse is not worth it.