ideas for in-ground water shut off valve

[s219]

I am running water to my pier. The piping is underground (PEX sleeved inside black poly) and below the frost line as it runs from my home to the top of the stairs that go to the pier. From that point I will transition to PEX or black poly that will be on hangers under the stairs, going on down to the pier (about 40' drop). The attached sketch illustrates this.

I want to put a shutoff valve near the top of the stairs at the end of the underground run. That way I can shutoff the pier water when not in use, and I can close the valve in cold weather to drain that lower section of exposed piping.

I could put in a regular frost-free yard hydrant as my neighbor did, but then the second section of piping (heading down the stairs) would need to attach at the top of the hydrant, and hydrants are more for garden hoses anyhow. I'm really running a permanent pipe from that point so I don't see the benefit of a raised hydrant and attaching up high. The pipe's already at/below ground level and then goes under stairs to head downhill.

So I'd like to put a ball valve in the ground, probably in a box, and then make a tee with a handle that can reach down through the box cover to the valve to turn it. I can fill the box with insulation to help protect the valve from cold. I have been looking at so-called "curb" valves which are commonly used as a shutoff valve on a water meter, but they are really tough to find as a separate part. Looking for suitable sized ones (3/4") with the right connections has not been easy. Another option is a regular off the shelf ball valve. Might be a little less beefy, but they are readily available with lots of connection options. Might be tricky to make a T handle to work with the puny key on the top of a ball valve though.

I am using PEX and could get a crimp-on valve, but I am sort of thinking I should mount the valve in between plumbing unions in case it ever needs to be replaced at some point.

Anyhow I am out of ideas, but I am betting that someone clever here on TBN might have some better ways to handle this. Surely there has to be an easy way to put a robust shut off valve below ground level. Someone may make a pre-fab tee-handle shutoff valve for in-ground mounting, but I sure haven't found one! Really, I am looking for something like a yard hydrant, but one that has the out port underground, inline with the in port. There's really no need to send water up the neck in this case.

thanks,
219

 

[LD1]

Only thing I can think of, and I didnt see you mention, is doing like they run water around here. There is a plastic cap that attaches to maybe a 18" diameter tube that gets burried. The water line and valve run through this pipe. Take the cap off, reach your arm down there to turn on and off. the ones connected to our houses have a meter in there as well, but you wouldnt need that.

So, basically like you are planning, with a valve inline , but instead of a handle coming above ground, there is an access cover and its contained within a pipe to keep the dirt back. No insulation in any that I have seen cause there is plenty of warmth in the ground to keep from freezing. Allthough they assume you will be using water frequently so I dont know how it will act sitting idle all winter. But probably no different than foreclosed houses and I have never herd of issues.

 

[ohmyback]

At the lake we have a 6" round pc of PVC buried vertical in the ground with a notch cut in to straddle the water line. This creates "the box". The top is at ground level with a cast cover that rests on top like a normal water meter cover. For shutting off the water we just have some 4" pvc slotted that turns the ball valve. It is just a standard plastic ball valve and we shut it off and on every time we show up and leave the lake. It has held up for 20 years with no problems. Does not seem to flex or move at all. I would think for a couple of shut offs a year it would hold up fine for you. They do have a drain in the house down in the basement just like you are proposing. They drain everything past the ball valve during the winter. There is another shut off at the property line where the line comes in if any work needed to be done.

 

[s219]

Thanks for the suggestions guys -- kind of along the lines I was thinking.

I might also put in a tee for a blowout in my crawl where the line originates, just in case I want to blow the whole thing out for winter.

 

[drajj5]

I am not sure who thought it up.... but my dad cut the bottom of a five gallon bucket and placed it in the ground. Only enough of the bucket was left above ground to use the lid that came with the bucket. I have several camp spot's that have full hookups which include running water. I have never had line or a spigot freeze in the winter. I am unsure if it would work in the North but here in "North GA, close to the Appalachian Trail" it has been successful.

They are cheap and the lid last for over 10 years when in the shade. If it becomes brittle the lid is super easy to replace.

Cost? The local Burger King supplies free pickle buckets if asked. At least my local one does.

 

[GPintheMitten]

That wouldn't work here, wish it would though. Good idea.

 

[Mendonsy]

What you're looking for is called a "curb valve". Mueller Company makes a whole bunch of different varieties. Their stuff is probably overkill for what you are doing but their catalog might give you some ideas.

 

[MossRoad]

Thanks for the suggestions guys -- kind of along the lines I was thinking.

I might also put in a tee for a blowout in my crawl where the line originates, just in case I want to blow the whole thing out for winter.

Why don't you put the shutoff in the crawl where the line originates?

 

[Budweiser John]

I'm inclined to just put the valve at the source of the water line with a stop and waste valve so the entire lime could be drained in the cold season.
Putting the valve at the source would preclude the necessity of sleeving the pipe protecting it from frost

 

[s219]

Why don't you put the shutoff in the crawl where the line originates?

There will be a main shutoff in the crawl, but I also want one outside near the top of the stairs in a more convenient location, so I can open/close the valve for daily use when going down to the pier. I don't want to leave the water turned on down there all the time, first because the 40' drop down the hill bumps up the pressure pretty high, and second because I'd probably be asking for trouble from people passing by on the creek.