Things You'll Need
Work gloves
Safety glasses
Paper towels
Utility knife
Medium-grade sandpaper
Needle-nose pliers
Deburring tool
Do-it-yourself homeowners find working with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plumbing pipe relatively simple since it requires no special skills or tools. PVC pipe is less expensive, lighter in weight and will not rust or corrode like metal plumbing pipe. Working with PVC pipe requires cutting various lengths with a hacksaw. This process leaves burrs or slag bits of plastic material around the inner and outer periphery of the pipe which must be removed before connecting with another pipe or joint. You can quickly deburr PVC pipe with the proper tools.
Deburring with a Utility Knife
Step 1
Grip the PVC pipe near the open end and hold firmly with one hand. Wear gloves and safety glasses to protect your hands and eyes while working.
Video of the Day
Step 2
Insert paper towels into the end of the PVC pipe if plastic residue left from deburring is an issue. The towels provide a seal that prevents the residue from falling into the pipe.
Step 3
Remove the burrs from the inner periphery wall of the cut PVC pipe using a utility knife. Move the knife slowly around the inner wall of the pipe.
Step 4
Remove all burrs on the outer periphery using the knife.
Step 5
Clean the inside edge of the deburred PVC pipe with medium-grade sandpaper. Be sure the surface is smooth, clean and free of burrs.
Step 6
Clean the outer area of the pipe end with the sandpaper.
Step 7
Remove the paper towel from the pipe and discard. If necessary, use needle-nose pliers to reach into smaller diameter pipes to retrieve the towel. Do not reuse the paper towel.
Deburring with a Deburring Tool
Step 1
Select the correct size deburring tool for the inner and outer diameter of the cut PVC pipe.
Step 2
Grip the PVC pipe near the open end and hold firmly with one hand. Wear gloves to protect your hands and safety glasses while working.
Step 3
Insert paper towels into the end of the PVC pipe.
Step 4
Insert the inner reamer end into the PVC pipe until it is fully seated. Rotate the tool in one direction for 2 or 3 full turns only.
Step 5
Remove the tool and inspect the inner periphery wall of the pipe to ensure that all burrs have been removed. Repeat Step 4 as needed.
Step 6
Place the outer reamer end of the deburring tool over the outer periphery of the PVC pipe and turn in one direction 2 or 3 turns only.
Step 7
Remove the tool and inspect the pipe to ensure that all burrs have been removed. Repeat step 6 if necessary.
Step 8
Clean the inner and outer edges of the deburred PVC pipe with medium-grade sandpaper and remove paper towels.
Tip
Moist paper towels help to provide a better seal when used on larger diameter pipes.
Video of the Day