How to Cut PVC Pipe: The 3 Most Common Methods

A leaky pipe can ruin your day, but it can also lead to breakthroughs. If you find yourself installing a new PVC pipe underneath your bathroom sink and think, wow, this material would make a great towel drying rack, you’re not alone. PVC piping is versatile and durable and can be used in a ton of fun and interesting ways. Our guide will show you how to cut PVC pipe so you can fulfill your DIY dreams.

What Is PVC Piping?

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping is white plastic tubing traditionally used for plumbing, drainage, and ductwork in heating and cooling systems. DIYers have found exciting ways to use PVC piping for projects such as storage pockets, table legs, and dog beds. 

PVC piping is known for being cost-effective, resilient, durable, and able to withstand heat and corrosion—making it an optimal choice for professional plumbers.

PVC vs. CPVC 

While the two sound similar, PVC and CPVC shouldn’t be used interchangeably. CPVC, short for chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, is often used for fire alarm sprinklers and irrigation. It can handle temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, more than PVC’s limit of 140 degrees. The chlorine in CPVC helps prevent bacterial buildup and increases chemical resistance.

CPVC pipes are off-white, light gray, or yellow, while PVC pipes are white or dark gray. Because of CPVC’s ability to handle higher temperatures, you’ll see them used for hot water applications, whereas PVC is more commonly used for cold water. PVC is the go-to material for home plumbing and drainage systems and is more affordable than CPVC.

Before Cutting PVC Pipes

Before beginning your PVC pipe-cutting project, you’ll want to break out your toolbox or take a quick trip to your local hardware store. 

In addition to PVC piping, you may need:

• A PVC pipe cutter

• Handsaw or hacksaw

• Miter saw

• Silicone lubricant

• 120-grit sandpaper

• Personal protective equipment

The type of cutting tool you choose will depend on the thickness of the PVC pipe. For example, a PVC pipe cutter is best for pipes under 2 inches in diameter, whereas a miter saw might work best for a sewer line replacement, which requires a thicker PVC pipe.

How to Use PVC Cutting Tools 

Before you begin these methods, you’ll need to put on your protective gear—goggles, work gloves, steel-toe boots, long sleeves, and long pants. If you have a silicone spray handy, spray your pipe once or twice. Silicone spray should help the blade cut the PVC more easily. 

How to Use a Pipe Cutter

A PVC pipe cutter (available in rotating and ratcheting styles) resembles a pair of pliers, except it has a thick, sharp blade affixed to one side. A pipe cutter is simple, efficient, and clean. The rotating style is for pipes under 2 inches, and the ratcheting style is for pipes up to 2 1/2 inches. 

Rotating Pipe Cutter

1. Mark the pipe where you want to cut it. 

2. Place the pipe on a stable surface—a sawhorse, cabinet, workbench, or clamp.

3. Position the rotating pipe cutter’s jaws over the marked area of the pipe, so the blade is gently touching it. 

4. Rotate it around two to three times, then twist the mechanism at the end of the tool to tighten it around the pipe.

5. Repeat Step 2 several more times (between two to four times does the trick), rotating the cutter around the pipe, then twisting it to tighten.

6. The cutter should slice right through the pipe, as the blade has gone deeper into the pipe with each rotation. 

Ratcheting Pipe Cutter

1. Mark the pipe where you want to cut it. 

2. Place the pipe on a stable surface—a sawhorse, cabinet, workbench, or clamp.

3. Pull the handles all the way apart to engage the ratchet mechanism and pull the blade out.

4. Place your pipe in the cutter’s jaws with the blade fully engaged, holding the cutter at a 90-degree angle.

5. Squeeze the handles of the cutter to apply pressure and push the blade through the PVC piping.

6. As the cutter tightens more onto the pipe, you should squeeze and release it more slowly.

7. Continue to squeeze and release until the blade fully cuts through the pipe.

Pros and Cons of Using a Pipe Cutter

Most online tutorials for how to cut PVC pipe recommend using a pipe cutter. A pipe cutter can give you a level of control that's similar to the grip you get from scissors or clippers. However, the blade is sharp enough to cut through PVC pipes like a hot knife through butter! In fact, plumbers and other pros don't leave home without pipe cutters. Here's a look at the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Portable, lightweight, and easy to store.

• Delivers a quick, clean cut through pipes.

• Leaves virtually no messes or debris behind.

• No concerns over materials snagging on the blades.

• No electricity is needed.

Cons:

• Quality cutters can be pricey.

• You may need cutters of different sizes to accommodate pipes of different widths.

• If you don't hold cutters perfectly in position, you may get a slanting effect with your cut that compromises the quality of the fit.

• Cutters need to be maintained to avoid rust.

• This is a single-purpose product that isn't versatile enough to be used for anything other than cutting PVC pipes.

• Pipe cutters tend to break more easily than other cutting tools.

• Pumping the handles when using a pipe cutter can be difficult if you suffer from joint pain or arthritis in the hands or wrists.

Using a Hacksaw

A hacksaw or a carpenter’s handsaw is a popular tool in the kits of plumbers, DIYers, and electricians. Hacksaws are small-toothed and have an easy-gripping handle, which makes them efficient at cutting through pipes. 

1. Mark the pipe where you want to cut it.

2. Hold the pipe over the edge of a stable surface—a miter box (a box for holding a tool securely) provides a steady guide for your hacksaw. A vise or clamp also works well. 

3. Slowly saw the pipe in a back-and-forth motion until you fully cut your PVC pipe.

Pros and Cons of Using a Hacksaw 

A hacksaw may seem like the obvious choice for cutting PVC pipe because it's the go-to tool in your garage whenever you need to adjust lengths on raw materials. The hacksaw gets points for being convenient. However, you may sacrifice quality with this choice. Here's a rundown of the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Relatively inexpensive compared to high-powered tools.

• Serves as a great multipurpose tool to have in the garage.

• Most people already own one.

• Requires minimal setup.

• Easy to use for straight, even cuts.

• Versatile enough to use with most pipe sizes.

• Portable.

• No electricity is needed.

Cons:

• Jams when debris sticks in the blade during cutting.

• Can create lots of messy particles.

• You may need to use a vise in order to cut PVC with this type of tool.

• You'll need a good amount of body strength to be able to make manual cuts.

• Cutting with a hacksaw can take more time and effort compared to other options.

• Hacksaws can feel unwieldy or unstable at times.

Using a Miter Saw

Miter saws are electric saws that cut pipes fast and at a square 90 degree angle by locking the angle into place—ensuring an accurate cut every time. 

1. Mark the pipe where you want to cut it.

2. Position the pipe against the fence (the mounted, flat piece on the saw table) and under the fine-tooth blade. Make sure the pipe is clamped into place.

3. Lift up the blade carefully and start the saw.

4. Slowly lower the blade into the PVC pipe and start to cut.

5. You may need to cut your pipe multiple times. You’ll need to stop the blade, rotate the pipe, and turn the saw back on to continue cutting.

6. Turn the saw off and lift up the blade. 

Pros and Cons of Using a Miter

Setting up your miter saw could be worth it if you already own this expensive power tool. However, you wouldn't necessarily want to purchase this equipment just to cut PVC pipe. Let's cover the pros and cons.

Pros:

• Cuts through pipes quickly.

• Requires essentially no manual force.

Cons:

• Electricity is needed to operate this tool.

• Risk of personal injury is greater with this tool.

• Due to its weight, a miter saw is not very portable when doing work in a driveway, yard, or shed.

• Cutting with a miter saw creates lots of scraps and debris.

• Maintaining control and precision can be difficult.

• Miter saws can cost hundreds of dollars.

• Using a miter saw requires training and practice to avoid injury.

• Miter saws require ongoing maintenance with each use.

• If a machine doesn't have a grooved or recessed base, the blade may not be able to go lower than the pipe.

Deburr the PVC Pipe Ends

You’ll want to cut PVC pipe square (smooth ends). But, cutting a PVC pipe often leads to burrs (unsmooth edges) that you’ll need to remove before fitting your pipe into a fastener. Not removing burrs can cause clogs and leaks down the line.

Using a Utility Knife

Hold your utility knife at a slight angle and run it along your PVC pipe's inner and outer rim. Take off the burrs until you have a smooth finish.

Pro tip: If the burrs aren’t sharp, you can also use a butter knife to trim the edges.

Sanding 

Take 120-grit sandpaper or a rough cloth and carefully sand the inner and outer rim of the PVC pipe until all of the burrs are gone. Ensure not to over sand, as this could also lead to poor fitting in your fastener. 

Tips for Working With PVC Pipe

• Remember that the goal is to achieve a clean, straight cut.

• Choose a PVC pipe cutter when working in small, tight spaces.

• A hand-held pipe cutter may strain your hand if you're working with several pipes. So, you’ll want to take breaks in between cuttings.

• Your finished piece of PVC pipe should have a square cut with no burrs and a beveled edge (which makes it easier for the pipe to adjust into the fitting).

DIY PVC Pipe Cutting vs. Hire a Pro

If you’re handy and have all the above tools in your kit, cutting PVC pipe will save you on the hourly cost of hiring a plumber, which can run as high as $200 per hour. If you have to purchase the tools, you can expect to pay:

• PVC pipe cutters: $10–$12

• Hacksaw: $15 on average

• Miter saw: $100–$800

If your PVC pipe project involves plumbing and drainage, hire a plumbing repair specialist in your area. You can expect to pay an average of $350 on the cost of plumbing repairs and services, including cutting PVC pipe.