How Do I Locate a Hairline Crack on a PVC Pipe?
- 1). Place your PVC on the ground and pour water through one end. Let the water flow slowly through the pipe. Watch the sides of the pipe for any slight leaks. Use a marker to mark any cracks you find.
- 2). Put on rubber gloves and run your hands along the sides of the pipe. Move slowly and run your hands along the surface as completely as possible to feel for hairline cracks. Mark any cracks you find.
- 3). Using a magnifying glass, inspect along the sides of the pipe, looking for cracks. The magnifying glass will show you much smaller cracks that are too small to see with the naked eye or feel. Mark any cracks.
- 4). Apply the silicone sealant to the cracks with a putty knife; cover them completely. Remove excess sealant and let it dry for several hours before using the pipes.
- 5). Inspect your nonburied or exposed PVC pipes using this method at least once a year to look for new hairline cracks. Apply sealant as needed.