The Best Ways to Cut a 4 Flex-Drain Pipe

Cutting Flex Pipe

• Because Flex-Drain pipe is used in drainage projects that often extend across lawns or landscapes, you may not need to cut the pipe often. Its collapsible nature and flexibility allows the pipe to fit many different channel shapes and designs. You can, for example, collapse portions of the pipe; you don't need to shorten the length. However, when you're connecting the pipe to gutters or tricky channel areas, you can cut a section to make the fit easier without damaging the pipe itself.

Cutting Tools

• Cutting drainage pipe is a simple process that doesn't require any complex tools. Flex-Drain recommends using a box cutter to cut between the ridges of the pipe where the material is the weakest. This takes only a few moments and results in a clean enough cut to attach the pipe to a coupler. If you're making many cuts in a row or want a more precise cut, you can switch to a hacksaw or similar blade for more rapid results.

Couplers

• Flex-Drain couplers are a necessary component for any installation procedure. These couplers are short, durable sections of plastic that connect one Flex-Drain length to another. Flex-Drain produces these couplers to automatically lock into the ridges of its pipes, making the couplers easy to add. But without them it becomes very difficult to suddenly change a pipe's direction or to connect cut pipe to other piping materials. Purchase couplers along with the primary piping length.

Additional Steps

• When connecting Flex-Drain pipe you don't want any more leakage than is absolutely necessary for the fit. To prevent leaking, cleaning any dirt or dust off the cut before you attach the pipe. Use the knife to pare away any burrs or chips in the plastic that might cause connection problems. You can also use putty or solvent cement for an even more watertight bond if you don't want any water to escape.