$11,000 Water Bill

[cat fever]

Let's be clear that "poly" refers to a lot of different things.

Poly Butylene is a product with wide spread use many decades ago. It has a problem of becoming brittle and flaking from the inside out due to exposure to chlorine in municipal water supplies. The high failure rate of poly butylene has given all poly a bad name.

Polyethylene and better yet, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a much different product. It does not react to chlorine and other chemicals that can be present in water supplies. It is flexible and exceptionally durable.

I would absolutely recommend using the appropriate pressure class HDPE for long water supply runs. If it were mine I would use 500' rolls. At every joint along the long run I would install a brass 1/4 turn ball valve with integrated barbed fittings. I would clamp the line to the fittings with stepless (continuous band) Oetiker clamps (two per barb with the crips offsets from each other.

For reference, the City I am in does not use gasketed PVC pipe for it's water supply system. They use gasketed ductile iron mains and copper or HDPE service lines.

Not sure but can polybutylene even be found/bought anymore?

To be specific, mine is the Polyethylene. (blue) I do prefer the compression fittings that use a stainless steel sleeve that goes inside the pipe. Put together properly, it's never coming apart unless you want it to.

 

[Creamer]

Let's be clear that "poly" refers to a lot of different things.

Poly Butylene is a product with wide spread use many decades ago. It has a problem of becoming brittle and flaking from the inside out due to exposure to chlorine in municipal water supplies. The high failure rate of poly butylene has given all poly a bad name.

Polyethylene and better yet, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a much different product. It does not react to chlorine and other chemicals that can be present in water supplies. It is flexible and exceptionally durable.

I would absolutely recommend using the appropriate pressure class HDPE for long water supply runs. If it were mine I would use 500' rolls. At every joint along the long run I would install a brass 1/4 turn ball valve with integrated barbed fittings. I would clamp the line to the fittings with stepless (continuous band) Oetiker clamps (two per barb with the crips offsets from each other.

For reference, the City I am in does not use gasketed PVC pipe for it's water supply system. They use gasketed ductile iron mains and copper or HDPE service lines.

All I have ever seen is Polyethylene or HDPE and that is all I am familiar with. Cat Fever's connections sound really good - I have always used barbed fittings which once they are set up are not coming off. The only problems I have had is plastic fittings cracking so I would never use them in a buried application - brass all the way.

Cat - I have never heard of "Christies Red Hot Blue Glue" for PVC.

 

[cat fever]

All I have ever seen is Polyethylene or HDPE and that is all I am familiar with. Cat Fever's connections sound really good - I have always used barbed fittings which once they are set up are not coming off. The only problems I have had is plastic fittings cracking so I would never use them in a buried application - brass all the way.

Cat - I have never heard of "Christies Red Hot Blue Glue" for PVC.

A quick google search will show/tell you all about it. That is all I've used for at least 30-40 years. It really is the best you can buy. IMHO

 

[justinramani]

We finally have an update!

Somehow the builder was able to negotiate the insane water bill down to $625. He paid the bill in full yesterday and as of today our account has a $0 balance! My wife and I really didn't see that coming, but we are both glad that we reached a resolution on that front.

As for the replacement of the water line - the builder has ordered the pipe and it should be installed next week. The builder is doing the right thing and getting it taken care of, but it did take some effort on our part.

Ill provide another update when the water line is replaced. I would like to thank everyone on here for their support. It has been a difficult few weeks, but the support and comments from everyone has helped put things into perspective.

 

[Streetcar]

Glad everything is turning out well

 

[TheMan419]

Glad the builder is standing up for his work! Sadly the opposite seems to be the norm these days.

 

[cat fever]

Very good news for you and your wife.:thumbsup:

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

We finally have an update!

Somehow the builder was able to negotiate the insane water bill down to $625. He paid the bill in full yesterday and as of today our account has a $0 balance! My wife and I really didn't see that coming, but we are both glad that we reached a resolution on that front.

As for the replacement of the water line - the builder has ordered the pipe and it should be installed next week. The builder is doing the right thing and getting it taken care of, but it did take some effort on our part.

Ill provide another update when the water line is replaced. I would like to thank everyone on here for their support. It has been a difficult few weeks, but the support and comments from everyone has helped put things into perspective.

I'm very happy for you guys. What a relief it must be to get this problem brought to a close. I'm glad you stuck to your guns and also glad the builder stepped up and did the right thing.

 

[murph1]

Some relief finally, what kind of pipe is he installing?

 

[EddieWalker]

Happy to hear it's all been resolved in such a favorable manner!!!!