Repairing a Ruptured PVC Pipe

Cut the flow of water to the ruptured pipe from the water source immediately to avoid water damage to the surrounding area.

Locate the break in the pipe by digging up the area surrounding the rupture with a spade. Take care not to jam the spade too deeply into the ground when digging to avoid creating a second break. If you have difficulty finding the precise location, then have a helper turn the water back on while you watch the pipe for the escaping water.

Continue to remove the soil surrounding the pipe, digging beneath the break area about 3 inches and about 1 foot in every direction from the break to allow you free access to the pipe.

Cut the pipe on either side of the break, about 6 inches from the ruptured edge. Use a PVC cutter to ensure you cut it with a clean edge. Place the blades of the cutter around the pipe, then squeeze the handles to cut straight through. Place wadded pieces of cloth in both of the remaining pipe ends to prevent water, mud or other matter from entering.

Measure the cut pipe length with a tape measure. Take the old pipe with you to purchase a replacement. Make sure the replacement is of the same diameter and quality, and is long enough to fit the missing section. Ensure that the pipe couplers fit around the pipe snugly.

Allow the ground surrounding the rupture site to dry out, then remove the cloth from the openings when you're about to install the new piece of PVC. Check the openings for any foreign matter, and clear it out before fixing the break.

Apply a PVC primer to the pipe ends in the ground, brushing it in place with the applicator included with the primer over the portion of the pipe that you’re placing the PVC glue. Primer softens the pipe in application of the "welding" process with the PVC glue. Place primer inside the coupling as well, up to the point where the coupling covers the pipe end. Wait for the primer to soften the pipe enough that you can scrape away a thin layer of the piping by dragging a knife blade over its surface before applying the PVC glue.

Brush the end of one of the in-ground ends of pipe with PVC glue. Wait 10 seconds for the glue to react with the PVC and then slip one of the couplings onto the end. Repeat the process to attach the coupling to the other in-ground pipe end.

Repeat the primer application process on both ends of the replacement pipe and the other ends of the coupling attached to the pipe in the ground. Brush a layer of glue on both ends of the replacement PVC pipe section, then slide the replacement into both couplings, completing the pipe connection. After you slide the coupling on one end, you'll have to bend the PVC patch piece to fit its free end into the other coupling. The longer the piece, the easier it will be to bend. When both ends are in the couplings, twist the pipe a bit to ensure there are no gaps in the glue seal.

Wait 10 minutes for the pipe to dry, then turn the water back on to test the connection. A successful repair will have no leakage from either coupling. Fill the hole in with the soil that you removed.