Harry c
Gold Member
Hi Pooh,
Pex is a fairly new type of pipe and I'm sure it's great stuff. I just don't have the tools or experience to work with it. Don't be afraid of the old stuff though. The gas lines in many areas are polyethylene pipe. They weld it together with hot air. It's a lot like the black poly pipe. The main water lines are likely to be PVC. Either of these pipes will last "forever" under the ground. I prefer the PVC 'cause I don't like the barb fittings and hose clamps for the Polyethylene and because 1 inch schedule 40 PVC is good to about 400 psi. You can definitely pull either of these in with a subsoiler. I pulled in up to 200 ft of 1 inch PVC at a time for my irrigation system. I used the 20 ft glue together stuff and glued my "pull" together on top of the ground stretched back from my starting point. That way it was just a continuous pull with no stops. I also pulled 100 ft of 1 1/2 inch, again no problem. Make sure you pull the subsoiler through once to break the ground and make sure you don't have any rocks or roots that will stop you once you start your pull. If that happens you'll get some practice with the shovel. If your ground permits, pulling is far easier than trenching with anything. There's basically no backfilling and it barely tears up any of the grass. I lived in Crossville for 18 years so I realize the rock might not let you pull. If you decide to rent the trencher, pay the few extra bucks and get the ride-on. It'll dig faster, save enough of your energy that you'll be able to get the pipe in same day, and the angle blade will backfill the ditch far better and faster than any loader. Also, if you hit rock, the ride on will pull out most small boulders. The walk behind will just bounce and beat you up.
A little additional suggestion: Install a pressure reducing valve just outside the meter box. You will be responsible for any leaks or pipe problems on your side of the meter so put it close to the meter not down at the house. Hilly areas can result in some really high water pressures. (I have 140 psi at my place). There's no point in subjecting your piping to the high pressures and surges or paying for the lost water if a line leaks.
Pex is a fairly new type of pipe and I'm sure it's great stuff. I just don't have the tools or experience to work with it. Don't be afraid of the old stuff though. The gas lines in many areas are polyethylene pipe. They weld it together with hot air. It's a lot like the black poly pipe. The main water lines are likely to be PVC. Either of these pipes will last "forever" under the ground. I prefer the PVC 'cause I don't like the barb fittings and hose clamps for the Polyethylene and because 1 inch schedule 40 PVC is good to about 400 psi. You can definitely pull either of these in with a subsoiler. I pulled in up to 200 ft of 1 inch PVC at a time for my irrigation system. I used the 20 ft glue together stuff and glued my "pull" together on top of the ground stretched back from my starting point. That way it was just a continuous pull with no stops. I also pulled 100 ft of 1 1/2 inch, again no problem. Make sure you pull the subsoiler through once to break the ground and make sure you don't have any rocks or roots that will stop you once you start your pull. If that happens you'll get some practice with the shovel. If your ground permits, pulling is far easier than trenching with anything. There's basically no backfilling and it barely tears up any of the grass. I lived in Crossville for 18 years so I realize the rock might not let you pull. If you decide to rent the trencher, pay the few extra bucks and get the ride-on. It'll dig faster, save enough of your energy that you'll be able to get the pipe in same day, and the angle blade will backfill the ditch far better and faster than any loader. Also, if you hit rock, the ride on will pull out most small boulders. The walk behind will just bounce and beat you up.
A little additional suggestion: Install a pressure reducing valve just outside the meter box. You will be responsible for any leaks or pipe problems on your side of the meter so put it close to the meter not down at the house. Hilly areas can result in some really high water pressures. (I have 140 psi at my place). There's no point in subjecting your piping to the high pressures and surges or paying for the lost water if a line leaks.
