Home Improvement → [Plumbing] using PVC primer and cement left out all winter

I need to make some modification to my pool plumbing (1.5" PVC), adding a tee ,a ball valve, and couple of feet of pipe.

Anyways, I left the cement and purple primer cans outside in my rubbermaid storage bin. It probably froze at some point in the winter, and I was wondering if it would be OK to use??

I opened both cans, and the inside primer and cement both appear to be in good shape.. What do you think, safe to use?? Or I am looking at joint failures down the line?

IMO - the 10 bucks saved by not getting fresh, isn't worth the risk...

I'd pitch it and buy new, just to be sure...

Neither of those compounds are water based, so I very much doubt they froze. If anything the cold reduced the potential for evaporation.

The primer is probably okay, but for the few bucks, I'd get a new can of cement. That said, I've successfully used primer and cement that were stored in an unheated maintenance garage all winter, when I used to do volunteer work at the school. But, if there's any doubt, a couple of small, new cans is the way to go. It's a minimal investment to make.

I just redid the plumbing for my sump pump using primer and cement that was sitting in an unheated garage the whole winter and it held fine, on the other hand pool pipes will deal with a lot more water and pressure than my sump pump, so might not be a good comparison.

Honestly, seeing how much things cost for pools if damaged, I would spend the ten bucks needed for new primer and cement.

If the cement still smells like acetone and is somewhat liquid without being lumpy, then it's still good.

My stuff sits in my truck year round, although it probably gets used faster. Cold really isn't the problem, it's hot that kills it.

If it's gloppy or boogery on the dauber, toss it. If its still syrupy, it's fine.

I store mine in the garage year-round, where the temp ranges from probably -10 to 100 F. I have a can of primer that is at least seven years old and still seems to work OK.

The cement only lasts about a year, though, and I crank that cap on tight with Channellocks.

If it flows freely, no chunks, I will use it. If it's at all rubbery, no way.

Also FYI for the small amount of household stuff I do, I buy the 4 oz. cans and not the packs that include both primer and cement. Home Depot seems to only stock 8 oz. cans, so I usually get the 4 oz. at Menards.

If it seems to be the right consistency (ie: the solvent has not evaporated or separated) it should be good.

It's not water-based so it doesn't actually "freeze".

The biggest problem with water-based products freezing is that when water freezes, it forms ice crystals, resulting in the water and other components can become separated from the mixture, and can be very difficult or near impossible to mix back in properly and restore the product's original properties.

Not so much a problem with products based on solvents other than water.

Anyways, if still in doubt, just toss it and get a new can.

As far as I know we do not remove any of that stuff from our pool vans (sit outside year round) so I'd say your good to go on the temp front. Stuff might be bad for another reason but I would not worry about the temp it was stored at.

I worked golf course maintenance for many years. I have chanced once or twice repairing irrigation with glue/primer left in shack all winter. Twice failed.

Yeah you are right.. For the $8 for a new set ,its worth it..because if that fails, im looking at a leak and a lot of aggravation!

PVC joints are really temperamental it does't take much for them to fail get new primer and Cement.

I seriously doubt the various warehouses, Conex boxes and tractor trailers the product passed through on its way to you were climate controlled. Most chemicals that need to be stored within a specific temperature range will indicate such right on the tin.

I agree with nunya - boogery is the perfect description of the consistency of spoiled PVC cement. You're looking for something with a good Vermont maple syrup viscosity. You'll know if it's bad when you go to use it.