Water line question

[rickyb01]

I have to run a water line to a home I'm building and would like to get some of your opinions on what you guys would do. Now remember its hard to find most materials. I'm needing to get the water line in so they can pour the concrete pad for shop. The shop pad is about 350 feet from the meter and I'm running 1" line. My two options are 1" pex and schedule 40. This is somewhat rocky ground with a lot of clay, sand and small stone in the mix. I'm reading that it wouldn't be a bad idea if I go with Pex to sleeve it which is going to raise the cost.

Pex line 1" x 400' is going run around 400.00 and I will roughly have two fitting in the total run. If I sleeve the pex with 4'x100' black corrugated sewer and drain pipe its going add another 240.00 for a total of 640.00. The pex isn't a full one inch inside diameter and more like .830. I can get a 300' roll and 100' roll so really one connection to get to shop.

Schedule 40 will be in 20' sticks at around 300.00 and I wouldn't think I would need to sleeve this. With the schedule 40 I will have about 20 glue joints and of course would use the blue glue in a quart. The PVC is a full one inch ID which means more water up to home and shop.

I am somewhat familiar with both setups. Meaning I have experience gluing PVC and I also have a pex tool and have ran pex before. My pocket book is telling me to go with PVC. Probably no clear cut answers but what would you guys do in this situation?

 

[Diggin It]

If I didn't need water right away, I'd run an inch and a half or two inch sleeve using flex or sweep elbows through the floor/pad and out ten feet or so into the yard. Then I could push the water line in later, hopefully after prices and supplies stabilize.

If required to use rigid pipe like schedule 40, considering doing similar. Run through the floor/pad and a single stick out into the yard to connect to later.



I don't need to deal with codes or inspectors though.

 

[workinonit]

PVC would be my choice simply because I've run miles of it with no issues. You mentioned the glue but also get the blue cleaner as well. It's probably as important as the glue. PEX may be easier but it's just a matter of choice.

 

[grsthegreat]

personally i always run black poly pipe with full spec grade compression fittings. im not sure if 1" pipe at that distance will get you enough water flow. what pressures are you getting from the system.

on my house pressures were kinda low so we went with 2" pipes, and a 2" water meter

 

[nyone]

I would avoid PVC. To many fittings and junctions can cause leaks.
Have you though about black poly? I have 400ft of 1in (80 or 100psi) sitting on the surface from a spring for 2 yrs now. The 160psi stuff is quite a bit thicker. I wouldnt bother with sleeving the 160psi black/blue poly. I do believe that it's also cheaper and thicker than pex but I could be wrong.

 

[Birdhunter1]

I wouldn't sleeve the line inside of a 4" pipe. The reason why is pressure changed will cause your waterline to flex and slap at the sleeve. Two things about waterlines I have learned is movement and poor workmanship are a certain pathway to leaks.
I ran 2000' of 1 1/2" PVC to my shop and house in October of 2010 and have yet to have a leak. Get a big can of cleaner and a big can of glue, tape them together and start walking along your 20' sections cleaning and gluing. Have another can of each at the ready, when you put the line down into the trench bury it before turning water on so it doesn't act like a mad snake and flop out and flail around causing a leak.

 

[herm0016]

my utility uses 250 psi pex. i would rather have less connections. a good supply house around you may even have longer rolls.

 

[4570Man]

Black poly is the worst option. I doubt pex is much better. Belled end pvc is the best. The pvc is a much harder pipe and is better for direct burial.

 

[Rebeldad1]

if you go pvc jump up to cpvc. much better quality, strength etc. not much more price. I wont go back to pvc again.

 

[4570Man]

if you go pvc jump up to cpvc. much better quality, strength etc. not much more price. I wont go back to pvc again.

Another piece of terrible advice. Belled end pvc is far stronger than cpvc especially with age. CPVC is for hot water. It has nothing to do with being stronger or better quality and it’s neither.