Solvent weld cement for joining plastic pipe and fittings. The 250ml tin comes with a brush in the lid, so you can get on with the job without hunting for an applicator. A sensible size for first fix work on domestic and light commercial jobs.
Trade QTY discounts — the more you buy, the more you save
Quantity
Discount
You Save
Price/unit
Buy 20+
£0.26£0.31
7.5% off
£3.19£3.83
Discount applies across all variants of this product.
Mark Vitow Firstfix Solvent Cement 250ml is a solvent weld cement for joining plastic pipe and fittings. It does not glue the joint in the usual sense. It softens the surface of the plastic on both parts, so when you push them together they fuse into one piece as the solvent flashes off. Get it right and the joint is as strong as the pipe itself. Get it wrong and you will be revisiting it with a bucket and a few choice words.
The 250ml tin is the size most plumbers and installers end up reaching for. It is big enough to see you through a full first fix on a house, but small enough that it will not sit half-used in the van going stringy for six months. Solvent cement left with the lid loose will thicken and become useless, so a tin you actually get through is a better buy than a larger one you throw away.
Using Firstfix Solvent Cement on Site
Solvent cement of this type is used for waste and drainage runs, overflows, soil pipe connections and similar jobs where you are working with rigid plastic pipe and push-fit or socket fittings that are designed to be solvent welded. It is a first fix product by name and by nature: you will be using it while the pipework is still exposed, before boards go down and walls are closed up.
Always check that your pipe and fittings are the right plastic for solvent welding. ABS, PVC-U and MuPVC are the usual suspects on domestic waste. Polypropylene and polyethylene will not weld with solvent cement at all, no matter how much you apply or how hopefully you hold the joint. If the fitting says push-fit only, believe it.
Getting a Good Joint
Preparation does most of the work. Cut the pipe square, remove burrs and swarf, and wipe both surfaces clean and dry. Any grease, dust or moisture will weaken the weld. Dry fit first so you know how far the pipe goes into the socket, and mark it. Once the cement is on, you have seconds, not minutes, before it starts to grab.
Apply an even coat to the pipe end and a lighter one inside the socket, push the pipe fully home with a slight quarter turn, then hold it for a few seconds. A small bead of cement around the shoulder of the fitting is normal. A river of it running down the pipe means you have used too much, and that excess can soften the pipe wall from the inside.
Work in a ventilated space. Solvent cement gives off fumes that you do not want to be breathing in a cupboard under the stairs. Keep it away from heat, naked flames and anyone with a lit roll-up.
The brush in the lid is handy for most pipe sizes, though for larger diameters a separate brush matched to the pipe width will give you better coverage and a more consistent joint. At this price, the tin is easy to keep stocked, and since pipe fittings are always bought in bulk, it makes sense to keep a couple in the van rather than make a second trip to the merchant when one runs out mid-job.
Pro Tip: Wipe the cement off the rim of the tin before you close the lid, otherwise it dries into a crust that seals itself shut and you will be chiselling it open on the next job.
Used for solvent weld joints on rigid plastic waste and drainage pipework, covering basins, sinks, baths, showers, washing machine and dishwasher wastes, overflows and soil connections. Common in new build first fix, extensions, bathroom refits and general plumbing repairs where ABS, PVC-U or MuPVC pipe and fittings are being joined. Equally useful for plumbers, drainage installers and maintenance teams.
Best For
Waste and drainage pipework
First fix plumbing
Bathroom and kitchen waste runs
Overflow pipe connections
Repairs and alterations to existing plastic waste
Compatible Materials
ABS pipe and fittings
PVC-U pipe and fittings
MuPVC pipe and fittings
Solvent weld socket fittings
Key Properties
250ml tin
Brush applicator in lid
Solvent weld cement
Suited to first fix plumbing
Not suitable for: Not suitable for polypropylene or polyethylene pipe, push-fit only fittings, or pressurised water supply and gas pipework. Check the fitting manufacturer's guidance if you are unsure.
Solvent cement works fast, so have everything cut, cleaned and dry fitted before you open the tin. Apply to the pipe end first, then the socket, push home with a slight twist and hold briefly. Wipe off any excess and leave the joint undisturbed until it has set.
Keep the lid on whenever you are not actually applying. Open tins lose solvent quickly, and thickened cement gives weak joints.
Cut the pipe square using a pipe cutter or fine-tooth saw.
Remove burrs and swarf from the cut end with a deburring tool or fine abrasive.
Wipe the pipe end and the inside of the socket clean and dry with a lint-free cloth.
Dry fit the pipe into the fitting and mark the insertion depth on the pipe.
Apply an even coat of cement to the pipe end, then a lighter coat inside the socket.
Push the pipe fully into the fitting with a slight quarter turn and hold for a few seconds.
Wipe away excess cement with a clean cloth, then leave undisturbed to set before testing.
Can I use this on polypropylene waste pipe?
No. Polypropylene and polyethylene do not solvent weld, so the cement will not bond them. Use push-fit or compression fittings designed for those materials instead.
How long should I leave the joint before running water through it?
Allow the joint to set before putting it under any load or running water. Cure time varies with temperature, pipe size and how much cement was used, so colder conditions mean a longer wait. Check the tin for the manufacturer's guidance.
Why has the cement in my tin gone thick?
Solvent evaporates when the lid is left off or not sealed properly, leaving the cement thicker and less effective. If it has become stringy or lumpy, bin it and open a fresh tin rather than risk a weak joint.
A solvent-based cement formulated for welding rigid plastic pipe and fittings. The solvent softens the surface of the plastic so the two parts fuse together as it evaporates, forming a continuous joint. Supplied in a 250ml tin with a brush applicator fitted to the lid. Suitable for use on common plastic waste and drainage materials such as ABS, PVC-U and MuPVC.
