Ask the Builder
Drilling Holes for PVC Pipe Fittings Video
By Tim Carter
©1993-2008 Tim Carter
Summary: Tim Carter demonstrates how to drill holes for pvc pipe fittings so that you don't waste valuable time enlarging a mis-drilled hole.
Here is a tip to remember when drilling holes for PVC pipe fittings. If your job requires that a PVC fitting be partial inside a stud, be sure to drill the right size hole. In a prior job, Tim was working with 1-1/2" PVC, so he knew that he needed to drill a 2-1/8" diameter hole for the pipe. But he soon discovered a little problem.
Looking at the sample holes, the PVC pipe fitting hub will not fit into a 2-1/8" diameter hole. It is large than the opening. Instead of having to spend time enlarging the hole you just drilled, be sure to drill a 2-9/16" diameter hole. This size will accommodate the PVC pipe fitting hub.
So before you start drilling holes in your studs for your plumbing project, think it through. Figure out if any fittings will be inside studs. If so, drill the right hole, the first time.
