Bidding a job & need contractor pricing?
We've got you covered!
Cement and Primer
Bidding a job & need contractor pricing?
We've got you covered!
PVC and CPVC Pipe Cement and Primer
Choose from our selection of pipe cement and primer for PVC and CPVC applications, available at low prices online. Plumbing primer and cement (pipe glue, joint glue, valve cement) is used to prepare, connect and seal together individual pipes, fittings and valves for a permanent, leak free bond. We offer Spears® brand PVC cement, PVC primer, CPVC cement, and CPVC primer made in the USA to industry leading standards for professional quality results and lasting reliability. Our cement and primer products can be safely used for a wide range of applications, including:
- Potable water (drinking water) systems
- Industrial chemical transport and fume ducts
- Turf maintenance, irrigation, and sprinkler systems
- Pools, spas, and aquariums
- Drain, waste, and vent (DWV) and sewer systems
- Product manufacturing, ingredient handling
Products are low smell, low VOC (volatile organic compound) formulas. Pipe cement and primer products are certified to ASTM D2564 (PVC cement), ASTM F493 (CPVC cement), NSF/ANSI 61, and meet Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) requirements. Spears cement and primer are SCAQMD compliant and acceptable for US Green Building Council and LEED compliance credits. They are also UL 2818 GREENGUARD Gold certified and safe for plumbing in sensitive environments like schools and healthcare facilities.
Pipe Cement & Primer Selection Guide
We offer heavy bodied PVC and CPVC cement that provide longer working times for jobs. CPVC cement is recommended for use in industrial piping systems and chemical applications and is the best choice for both PVC and CPVC fume and air duct systems. PVC pipe primer and CPVC primer are available and should be used for material it is labeled for on the can. Available primers are NSF certified lead-free and are manufactured to meet ASTM F656 and UPC (purple primer only) standards. Primer is essential to properly soften and prepare PVC and CPVC surfaces prior to applying pipe glue.
Use this chart to compare our pipe cement and primer options and select the right product for your project.
| Product Name | Body Type | Set Time | Recommended Use | Max Pipe Diameter | Color Options |
| PVC 11 | Heavy Body | Medium | General plumbing, warm temps | Up to 12" | Gray |
| PVC 17 | Heavy Body | Medium | Industrial, pools, irrigation | Up to 12" (18" non-pressure) | Clear, Gray |
| PVC 19 | Extra-Heavy | Slow | Large diameter, high gap filling | Up to 30" | White, Gray |
| CPVC 24 | Heavy Body | Medium | CPVC & PVC, chemical resistance, acids/bases | Up to 12" | Orange, Gray |
| Primer 68 | N/A | Fast | Standard PVC/CPVC (Sch 40) | N/A | Clear, Purple |
| Primer 70 | N/A | Fast | Industrial/high PSI (Sch 80) | N/A | Clear, Purple |
All PVC cement cans come with dauber. Replacement, additional cement daubers are available for purchase at 3/4 inch and 1-1/4 inches. For proper solvent cement welding, the applicator is recommended to be at least half the size of the pipe.
Spears brand PVC cement has a recommended shelf life of 3 years. Spears CPVC cement has a recommended shelf life of 2 years. All primers, PVC primer and CPVC primer, have a recommended shelf life of 3 years. For recommended dry times and temperatures, see our Pipe Cement Set Times and Cure Times charts.
Why Choose Spears® Pipe Cement and Primer?
Spears pipe cement and primers are engineered to outperform standard options and deliver professional grade results even for the most demanding applications. Made by a PVC, CPVC, and DWV pipe manufacturer with over 40 years experience, here is why you should choose Spears pipe joining products:
- Certified for Sensitive Environments: Spears solvent cements go beyond standard plumbing codes. They are GREENGUARD Gold Certified to UL 2818 standards for guaranteed low chemical emissions. This makes them a safe choice for indoor air quality in schools, healthcare facilities, and occupied buildings.
- Eco-Friendly Performance: Formulas compliant with SCAQMD Rule 1168/316A for low VOC emissions and high strength bonding power without the heavy chemical impact to help projects qualify for US Green Building Council and LEED credits.
- Superior Application Control: Achieve extended working times for complex industrial assemblies or superior gap filling with large diameter pipes, Spears has a formula designed for the job. Heavy bodied and extra-heavy bodied cements provide excellent viscosity that prevents run-off and ensures a leak free seal even on loose fits.
- Reliable Chemical Resistance: Spears CPVC cements are specifically formulated to resist aggressive chemicals, including acids, caustics, and hypochlorite solutions. This makes them an ideal choice for industrial processing, wastewater treatment, and fume duct systems where standard cements might fail against regular work demands.
- USA Made Quality: Every can is manufactured in the USA according to strict quality control standards to ensure consistent performance, stable shelf lives, and the reliability professionals need.
Frequently Asked Questions
PVC cement is formulated specifically for joining PVC pipes. CPVC cement is designed for CPVC pipes, which handle higher temperatures. While CPVC cement can technically be used on PVC, you should never use PVC cement on CPVC pipes.
Yes. Primer cleans the pipe surface and softens the plastic, allowing the cement to create a permanent chemical weld. Skipping primer can lead to weak joints and leaks.
No. PVC cement does not bond properly with CPVC material and can cause joint failure, particularly in hot water or chemical applications.
Apply primer to the outside of the pipe end and the inside of the fitting socket. While wet, apply a full layer of cement to the same surfaces. Immediately insert the pipe into the fitting with a slight twist and hold for 30 seconds.
Yes, most of our cements and primers are certified to NSF/ANSI 61, making them safe for potable water systems. Always check the label to confirm.
Set and cure times vary based on pipe size, temperature, and humidity. A joint typically sets in a few minutes, but you should allow it to cure fully before pressurizing the system. For detailed information, please refer to our Pipe Cement Set Times and Cure Times charts.
Generally, Spears PVC cement and primers have a shelf life of three years from the manufacture date. Spears CPVC cement has a shelf life of two years. Always store the cans in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly sealed.
| Scenario | Recommended Material |
| Low temperature air movement | PVC Duct |
| High temperature or steam exhaust | CPVC Duct |
| General purpose, low risk systems | PVC Duct |
| Chemical fume or corrosive gas handling | CPVC Duct |
| Projects with strict fire codes (hospitals, labs) | CPVC Duct |
Choose from our available pipe cement and primer for PVC and CPVC applications for sale at low prices online. Plumbing primer and cement (pipe glue, joint glue, valve cement) is used to prepare, connect and seal together individual pipes, fittings and valves. We offer Spears Manufacturing® brand products that are made in the USA and provide industry leading quality, reliability and certification standards. Our cement and primer products are ideal and safe for use in applications involving chemicals, ingredients, potable water (PW, drinking water), turf maintenance, irrigation, sprinkler systems, pools, spas, aquariums, industrial uses, drain waste vent (DWV) uses and sewer (SW) based uses. We offer low smell, low VOC PVC and CPVC cement (low volatile organic chemical) that is certified to ASTM D2564, NSF / ANSI 61, the Uniform Plumbing Code and is SCAQMD compliant acceptable for US Green Building Council and LEED compliance credit. PVC cement is intended for use on PVC pipe and fittings only. PVC cement cannot be used for CPVC pipe, but CPVC cement can be used for PVC pipe in addition to CPVC. However, pipe cements are best used for the pipe material on the product label.
We offer heavy bodied PVC / CPVC cements that offer longer working times for jobs. CPVC cement is recommended for use in PVC industrial piping systems for chemical applications and is the best choice for both PVC and CPVC fume and air duct systems. Available Spears pipe glue includes PVC 11, PVC 17, PVC 19 and CPVC 24 in quart and gallon sizes.
- PVC 11 is a heavy body gray, medium set glue good for warm temperatures and all pipe classes and schedules up to 12" in size.
- PVC 17 is heavy body clear or gray cement ideal for plumbing, industrial, pool, irrigation and electrical piping systems and suited for all pipe classes and schedules up to 12" as well as non pressure up to 18".
- PVC 19 is our extra heavy body cement in white and gray that is ideal for large diameter piping systems up to 30", high gap filling requirements as well as all pipe classes and schedules.
- CPVC 24 is a heavy body orange or gray CPVC cement. CPVC 24 is a high strength, chemical resistant solvent cement for use with CPVC piping systems suitable for those carrying acids, bases, salts, and sodium hypochlorite. CPVC 24 is ideal for use in waste water plants.
Primers are made for use either with PVC or CPVC as labeled on the product can. Available primers are manufactured to meet NSF, ASTM F656 and UPC (purple primer only) standards. Our pipe primers can be used on PVC products and CPVC products. Primer is essential to properly soften and prepare PVC and CPVC surfaces prior to gluing. Available Spears primers include clear primer and purple primer in Primer 68 and Primer 70 types in quart size and gallon size cans. Choose from either clear or purple color primers to allow identification of the primer used in installation.
- Primer 68 is our basic, standard primer good for use on PVC / CPVC plumbing systems and recommended for schedule 40 pipe.
- Primer 70 is our premium, industrial duty primer recommended for schedule 80 pipe, high PSI systems and large diameter pipes. Primer 70 is ideal for applications in cold weather conditions.
All PVC cement cans come with dauber. Replacement / additional cement daubers are available for purchase at 3/4 inch and 1 1/4 inches. For proper solvent cement welding, the applicator is recommended to be at least half the size of the pipe.
Spears brand PVC cement has a recommended shelf life of 3 years. Spears CPVC cement has a recommended shelf life of 2 years. All primers have a recommended shelf life of 3 years. For recommended dry times and temperatures, see our Pipe Cement Set Times and Cure Times charts.