Plumbing folks...got a question

[ukiltmybrutha]

Hi,

I have to remove a pressure tank from my well system. There are some fittings that I have not encountered before especially since I am mostly a gearhead.

I have had some plumbing experiences where fittings were put together a certain way and the PVC ended up needing to be cut because certain fittings wouldn't turn etc.

Before I get involved with removal do I need to cut the PVC at all based upon this configuration or will these fittings just to the left and right of the pressure switch allow me to do what I need to do to remove the pressure tank? I am not worried about the electrical portion I know what I need to there.

Any special tools required.

Thanks.

 

[PCustoms]

Hi,

I have to remove a pressure tank from my well system. There are some fittings that I have not encountered before especially since I am mostly a gearhead.

I have had some plumbing experiences where fittings were put together a certain way and the PVC ended up needing to be cut because certain fittings wouldn't turn etc.

Before I get involved with removal do I need to cut the PVC at all based upon this configuration or will these fittings just to the left and right of the pressure switch allow me to do what I need to do to remove the pressure tank? I am not worried about the electrical portion I know what I need to there.

Any special tools required.

Thanks.

Right side looks like PEX. You'll probably be able to unscrew it, but the fitting will spin inside the pipe and I wouldn't trust the crimp after. Cut it and put new fitting in, you need a new band crimp and the fitting.

The left side looks like PVC or CPVC. Cut it.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

Right side looks like PEX. You'll probably be able to unscrew it, but the fitting will spin inside the pipe and I wouldn't trust the crimp after. Cut it and put new fitting in, you need a new band crimp and the fitting.

The left side looks like PVC or CPVC. Cut it.

Well thank you.

 

[PCustoms]

Well thank you.

No problem.

I didn't go into a ton of detail, so if you have a question feel free to ask away

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

No problem.

I didn't go into a ton of detail, so if you have a question feel free to ask away

Nah you did fine. It's hard to think when you are half soaked. Sometimes when repairing plumbing I get a mental block and start gloating at how someone could be smart enough to install something without leaks but not create a scenario where things can easily be replaced. I spend a little bit too much time in disbelief and instead of accepting what I am looking at.

Thanks again.

 

[PCustoms]

Sometimes when repairing plumbing I get a mental block and start gloating at how someone could be smart enough to install something without leaks but not create a scenario where things can easily be replaced. I spend a little bit too much time in disbelief and instead of accepting what I am looking at.

Can't tell you how many times I've been buried in a plumbing trainwreck, mapped it all out, gone to the store for parts and 1 of 2 things happen:

-I get back and find an easier way to do things, if I had only bought that 1 extra fitting
-I totally forget wtf I had planned on doing

My house had 3 or 4 different types of plumbing when I bought it, some frozen/split. I hate plumbing.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

Can't tell you how many times I've been buried in a plumbing trainwreck, mapped it all out, gone to the store for parts and 1 of 2 things happen:

-I get back and find an easier way to do things, if I had only bought that 1 extra fitting
-I totally forget wtf I had planned on doing

My house had 3 or 4 different types of plumbing when I bought it, some frozen/split. I hate plumbing.

LOL! My neighbor was a plumber. I watched and learned from him. I like saving the money when I can but like you I can't take it anymore. So so sick of frozen pipes and even more sick of well pump related issues. I can handle the vast majority of them but as I get older I just want to sit down and watch a movie from time to time. I hate to say it but automobiles are the same for me at this point. I get these bright ideas and the juice just isn't worth the squeeze anymore. **** takes forever and my body hurts more and more each year....but the physical work keeps me healthy.

 

[housewolf]

Nah you did fine. It's hard to think when you are half soaked. Sometimes when repairing plumbing I get a mental block and start gloating at how someone could be smart enough to install something without leaks but not create a scenario where things can easily be replaced. I spend a little bit too much time in disbelief and instead of accepting what I am looking at.

Thanks again.

Installing where things can be easily replaced, I (plumber) sometimes decide cutting the pipe will be the easiest way to replace or service a device. It’s really dependent on the situation and material. Small PVC or pex, I’ll usually figure on cutting pipe, especially if the supply needs to be tuned off anyway. If it’s larger or threaded pipe, I’ll always install unions. The likelihood a device will need to be serviced or replaced plays into it too.

As far as running to the store to get parts, I find I get a good parts list, go to the box store, and they don’t have all of what I need. So I’m redoing my job in my head based on what parts are available. I’m retired now and don’t do much plumbing work anymore, but traveling 25 miles to the Plg supply is often more effective than going 13 miles (opposite direction) to Lowe’s.

 

[gba2331]

Plumbers probably don’t install unions because they don’t need the convenience and they are more prone to leak, but as a homeowner I definitely try to use them. At least you’re not sweating copper. I can do it but its not my favorite task.

 

[gba2331]

Since you have it apart, maybe consider….
….ball valve to shut off all water to the house (easier for others to understand how to turn water on ‘off)
…metal pan to go under the tank and any other accessories

 

[PoorUB]

When it comes to repairing old pluming I often take the shotgun approach. Blow it all up and start over! Any time I have tried to skimp and try to deal with old plumbing it comes back to bite me.

 

[Fav Onefour]

When it comes to repairing old pluming I often take the shotgun approach. Blow it all up and start over! Any time I have tried to skimp and try to deal with old plumbing it comes back to bite me.

I'd agree.
It's not so amazing how often the next problem is just past the parts that were fixed.
Do it right, do it once.

 

[DGersic]

When it comes to repairing old pluming I often take the shotgun approach. Blow it all up and start over! Any time I have tried to skimp and try to deal with old plumbing it comes back to bite me.

I did that last year.



Highly recommended, but it is a bit of work to fix it right.