How to deal with leakage or cracks in PPR pipe union and can it be repaired locally?

Common causes of leakage or cracks in PPR pipe unions
There are many reasons for leakage or cracks in PPR pipe unions, usually including the following categories:
*Improper hot melting: Too high or too low temperature during hot melting, improper time control, will affect the fusion quality of the joint and the pipe, forming hidden dangers such as false welding and desoldering.
*Water hammer impact or high pressure fluctuation during use: If the water pressure control system is unstable, long-term water hammer phenomenon is easy to cause fatigue cracks at the joint.
*External force impact or stretching: During the construction site or later decoration, external force collision may damage the pipe joint, especially when the buried pipe is affected by the expansion and cracking of the wall.
*Material aging: Although PPR pipes have strong heat resistance and anti-aging properties, if the ultraviolet rays in the use environment are strong or the water quality is acidic or alkaline, the pipes are prone to aging and brittle cracking.
*Product quality problems: Poor joint materials, large mold errors or insufficient thickness can also easily cause the joint to become a weak point in the system.

Judgment and preliminary treatment of leakage or cracks
When a PPR joint is found to be leaking, it should first be determined whether it is a crack in the pipe itself or a loose joint weld. The following inspection methods can be adopted:
* Local drying observation method: wipe the outside of the joint dry, wrap it with toilet paper and observe whether it is continuously moist.
* Comparative observation after closing the main valve: If the water mark disappears after closing the water inlet valve, it can be preliminarily determined to be a pipeline pressure leak.
* Observe cracks with light: Under light, fine cracks or deformation marks are easier to find.
If it is only a very small water seepage, it can be temporarily blocked with waterproof tape, sealant and other materials, but such methods are limited to short-term emergency and cannot replace long-term repair methods.

Can local repair be performed?
In principle, once cracks or leaks occur in PPR pipe unions, local repair is not recommended as the final solution.
Although there are materials such as PPR special leak-proof glue and quick repair tape on the market, since the PPR pipe itself is a thermoplastic material, once the hot melt joint has structural problems, surface blocking cannot fundamentally solve the problem of internal strength reduction. This type of emergency treatment is applicable to:
* Transitional measures before waiting for professional construction personnel to arrive;
* Temporary water stop to avoid damage to indoor items;
* Minor cracks on non-pressure main roads.
* The reliable repair method is to cut the damaged section and reconnect it with hot melt. Specific steps include:
* Close the main valve and drain the pipeline;
* Use a pipe cutter to cut the pipe at the appropriate position on both ends of the leak;
* Remove the original joints and aging parts;
* After cleaning the interface end face, use a hot melt tool to reconnect the new joints and pipe sections;
* After cooling and shaping, resume water supply and test the sealing.

Why do even electric forklift manufacturers attach importance to the integrity of the pipeline system?
Companies such as electric forklift manufacturers that are engaged in equipment assembly and precision manufacturing have extremely high requirements for the stability of the factory environment. In the design of their factory buildings, the sealing and reliability of the water and gas supply systems directly affect the operation of the equipment and the safety of employees. Once the PPR pipe system leaks, it will not only cause short circuits in the production equipment and slippage on the ground, but also increase the equipment maintenance costs and the risk of shutdown. Such enterprises will give priority to PPR joint products that meet national standards in infrastructure supporting, match with standardized construction plans, and set up inspection systems to ensure long-term stable operation of the system.

Preventive measures and maintenance suggestions
To reduce the risk of leakage of PPR pipe unions, it is recommended to pay attention to the following points during selection and use:
*Select PPR joint products that meet the standards and check the batch and certification information;
*Calibrate the temperature of the hot melt equipment before installation;
*Be sure to perform pressure testing after installation to ensure that there are no hidden leaks;
*Avoid hanging heavy objects or generating tension on PPR pipes;
*Establish a regular inspection system, especially for hidden pipeline areas.