Water supply line replacement?

[crguy]

About 30 years ago, I replaced the galvanized pipe water supply line from the meter to my house with some blue plastic tubing that was recommended. Don't recall the name, but it was flexible and came in big coils. The ends used barbed plastic fittings which were pressed in. A few years ago a pinhole leak developed in the line which I sealed with a clamp. Now a new leak developed at one end where there was a hose clamp over the end that was on a barbed plastic fitting. I'm thinking it's time to replace the whole line if this one is reaching the end of its' life. What materials are people recommending these days? I have seen some recommendations for PVC.

 

[Bert_]

Poly is about the best thing, which it sounds like you already have. Should last longer than 30 years. There are different pressure ratings and the lower the rating, the thinner the pipe is. Rocks in the trench can wear through the pipe also

I use 1" 250# poly for almost everything. And brass fittings

 

[Uncle murph]

About 30 years ago, I replaced the galvanized pipe water supply line from the meter to my house with some blue plastic tubing that was recommended. Don't recall the name, but it was flexible and came in big coils. The ends used barbed plastic fittings which were pressed in. A few years ago a pinhole leak developed in the line which I sealed with a clamp. Now a new leak developed at one end where there was a hose clamp over the end that was on a barbed plastic fitting. I'm thinking it's time to replace the whole line if this one is reaching the end of its' life. What materials are people recommending these days? I have seen some recommendations for PVC.

1” black plastic available everywhere is tough to beat.Treat yourself to a couple of yards of sand to bury it with and it will outlast you.

 

[BrandonV]

Suppose it depends on where you are. Out here in Arizona most homes have a PVC main which is eventually replaced with copper.

 

[mrbill55]

About 30 years ago, I replaced the galvanized pipe water supply line from the meter to my house with some blue plastic tubing that was recommended. Don't recall the name, but it was flexible and came in big coils. The ends used barbed plastic fittings which were pressed in. A few years ago a pinhole leak developed in the line which I sealed with a clamp. Now a new leak developed at one end where there was a hose clamp over the end that was on a barbed plastic fitting. I'm thinking it's time to replace the whole line if this one is reaching the end of its' life. What materials are people recommending these days? I have seen some recommendations for PVC.

I'm thinking you should replace it with the White Polyethylene tubing (PEX),you'll need to know if you have a 1/2", 3/4", or 1" diameter line. Simply trench the line from the house to the meter, add a sand base, lay the line, add more sand to bury it, then refill with material, careful not to throw any hard debris (large rocks, tree limbs, etc) back in the fill.. Two quality sharkbite fittings, one on each end, and you are done. It really is that easy.


Bill S.

PS: I recommend purchasing from a commercial plumbing supply house, as they can tell you what you will need for a seamless fit

​

 

[D45]

I have 1" blue pex

My 3/4" black poly pipe from the late 1970s cracked apart and there was a huge class action lawsuit involving it

 

[Wamsutta]

That gray schedule 80 PVC is what I'm thinking about going with. It's considerably thicker than white PVC.

 

[lynnbilodeau]

PEX.

 

[frankd]

We also had the galvanized water line to the home replaced as well. Here I'm NY all of the quotes we got were for copper so that's what we used. We weren't even given another option.

 

[driftpin]

Ranch style house built in the early 1960's, Florida, was a galvanized line to the house. I replaced it with pvc to near the line into the house, and had it transition to copper for coming above grade, and to the through-wall into the building.

 

[larry4406]

The water service lines for our new homes are black poly.

 

[Stuart in MN]

To be clear, you're talking about a buried line from the street to your house?
In my part of the country the water meter is in the house basement, so I'm confused by your description of from the meter to the house. The buried line is typically copper here, although I'm not sure about new construction - they may be using black poly.

 

[racecougar]

The water service lines for our new phones are black poly.

It may be off topic, but what do you mean by water service lines for phones?

 

[mike93lx]

To be clear, you're talking about a buried line from the street to your house?
In my part of the country the water meter is in the house basement, so I'm confused by your description of from the meter to the house. The buried line is typically copper here, although I'm not sure about new construction - they may be using black poly.

I believe the location is often dependent on climate. My experience in MA had meters in the basement, but here in VA, they are out by the street as they only need to be a couple feet down.

 

[crguy]

To be clear, you're talking about a buried line from the street to your house?
In my part of the country the water meter is in the house basement, so I'm confused by your description of from the meter to the house. The buried line is typically copper here, although I'm not sure about new construction - they may be using black poly.

Yes, from the street. Residential in this part of the country has the meters close to the front edge of your yard by the street. No basement.

 

[D45]

I have 1" blue pex

My 3/4" black poly pipe from the late 1970s cracked apart and there was a huge class action lawsuit involving it

I was given two options, Pex or copper

Plumbing contractors said he would use Pex at his house if he had to replace the main supply line

 

[dcg9381]

Suppose it depends on where you are. Out here in Arizona most homes have a PVC main which is eventually replaced with copper.

Use PEX. Our house has 2 x 1" main PEX lines. Take a lot more abuse than PVC if you disturb it.

 

[mike93lx]

For anyone installing pex/poly, are you sleeving it in anything that would allow easier replacement down the road?

 

[larry4406]

It may be off topic, but what do you mean by water service lines for phones?

Typo - iPhone decided homes should be phones. I corrected post.

 

[dcg9381]

For anyone installing pex/poly, are you sleeving it in anything that would allow easier replacement down the road?

I did not. But if I was going to do it over again, I'd likely sleeve it in PVC. Gonna depend on how deep you are burying it and what the soil is like where you are. I have done short runs of 1/2 PEX through 3/4" electrical conduit before (as the sweeps are easy to get), but not sure that would make anyone happy if you're subject to inspection, not that I can think of any reason why a sleeve over PEX in the yard would fail.

 

[mike93lx]

I did not. But if I was going to do it over again, I'd likely sleeve it in PVC. Gonna depend on how deep you are burying it and what the soil is like where you are. I have done short runs of 1/2 PEX through 3/4" electrical conduit before (as the sweeps are easy to get), but not sure that would make anyone happy if you're subject to inspection, not that I can think of any reason why a sleeve over PEX in the yard would fail.

Thinking of where I am now, the water line isn't super deep, but it crosses the electrical feed and at least one drainage line. If I ever had to replace it, I'd sure appreciate being able to just pull the pipe out vs tearing up the yard and avoiding other utilities.

Back in MA, it would have been at least 4' deep, plus the soil is rocky

3" pvc is about $2.50 a ft and 2" is under $2. Feels like reasonable insurance

 

[Bert_]

250# poly is quite a bit thicker wall than pex.

 

[BrandonV]

Use PEX. Our house has 2 x 1" main PEX lines. Take a lot more abuse than PVC if you disturb it.

Good to know. Back in the day it was always copper used, newer homes I saw had PVC, and I'd always replace with copper. I guess new builds moved on to the next cool thing.

 

[housewolf]

I think the best advice you can get would be from someone with experience in your region.

I’ve done most of the plumbing on my property but there’s a lot of SCH 10 (irrigation pipe) still buried and in service here after almost 50 years. I’ve had no problem with any of it to date. What I’ve installed UG has been SCH40 PVC. We have practically no frost line and very sandy soil.

 

[mrbill55]

For anyone installing pex/poly, are you sleeving it in anything that would allow easier replacement down the road?

Clean the trench of any rocks and tree roots, lay down 6 inches of sand (play sand will do), lay down your Pex, add another 6 inches of sand on top of the Pex, fill with clean dirt, top as you desire. Follow this, and you do not need to sleeve the Pex at all.


Bill S.