Ring Seal And Solvent Weld Soil - The Differences

When it comes to PVC-U Soil Pipes, there are basically two choices of system. You can either use a ring seal system, which utilises push fit joints with rubber seals, or you can use a solvent weld system which uses a chemical bond to weld permanent joints in place. Both are perfectly suitable for domestic use and the solvent weld system is equally suited to most commercial applications. The main features and benefits of both systems are outlined below.

Manufacturing Quality

Both systems are manufactured by Floplast in the UK to BS4514.2001 and both carry the British Standard Kitemark.

Colours Available

The Ring Seal system is available in a high gloss finish in Grey, Black, White and Cast Iron Effect. The Solvent Weld system is available in high gloss Black and Olive Grey (which is more of a greenish dark grey than the Ring Seal grey option).

Working Temperatures

Both systems can carry liquids in a continuous flow with temperatures of up to 76°C. For intervals of up to 2 minutes both systems can carry liquids with temperatures of up to 100°C (the temperature of boiling water). The Solvent Weld system is specially formulated to be resistant to boiling water.

Other Resistance

Both systems are resistant to most inorganic acids and alkalis and are unaffected by ultra violet light. Neither system will support combustion, although all PVC-U soil pipes should always be sealed with fire collars wherever they pass through cavity walls and floors.

Pipe Supports

We recommend that for both systems pipes should be supported with pipe clips every 2m when fixed vertically and every 1m when pipes are run horizontally.

Jointing Methods

Joints in the ring seal system are push fit. The joint is made pushing the end of a lubricated, chamfered pipe squarely into the fitting, which compresses the rubber seal to make an airtight and watertight joint. Once the pipe has been pushed fully into the joint it should be withdrawn approximately 10mm to allow for any expansion in the system. Ring seal joints can be easily dismantled if required.

Joints in the Solvent Weld System are made by brushing Floplast solvent weld onto the clean outside surface of the end of the pipe, and also onto the inside of the fitting. The pipe is then immediately inserted into the fitting and twisted to ensure a good bond. The solvent weld actually melts the two surfaces and bonds them together to make a permanent gas and watertight joint. Water can be run through the joint within 20 minutes, although we recommend that the system is left for 24 hours before full testing. Solvent Weld joints are not demountable so care should be taken to ensure that all pipes and fittings are correctly aligned prior to assembling the joint.

As the pipe and fitting sizes are identical, solvent weld fittings can (and often are) used within a ring seal installation if required. On a full solvent weld system push fit joints should be incorporated every 4m to allow for expansion.

Compatible Waste Systems and Pan Connectors

All Floplast WC Pan Connectors are suitable for use with either system. Push fit, Compression and Solvent Weld Waste pipes are introduced to either system using boss adaptors, but if using the Solvent Weld soil system we would recommend that the ABS waste solvent weld waste system is used.