PEX Piping Newby

[Handloader109]

To those who say you need a large diameter pipe for the 1500 foot run, I'll say it all depends. I've owned two homes with over 1000 foot runs. First was installed with 3/4 inchpvc line, up a hill with elevation change of about 50 feet. Not bad, but I had two story house on top of that and fairly low pressure from main line. So yep, would have been nice to have done in inch and half.... that was the 1000 foot run. In current house it is over 1500 feet. 3/4 black. Pipe had been run. Joints every 400 feet it seems, (already had to fix one) I have very good pressure, but I run downhill about 20 feet from height of the meter to my house which is only single story. All depends. 2inch is overkill, btw

 

[Tractor Seabee]

To those who say you need a large diameter pipe for the 1500 foot run, I'll say it all depends. I've owned two homes with over 1000 foot runs. First was installed with 3/4 inchpvc line, up a hill with elevation change of about 50 feet. Not bad, but I had two story house on top of that and fairly low pressure from main line. So yep, would have been nice to have done in inch and half.... that was the 1000 foot run. In current house it is over 1500 feet. 3/4 black. Pipe had been run. Joints every 400 feet it seems, (already had to fix one) I have very good pressure, but I run downhill about 20 feet from height of the meter to my house which is only single story. All depends. 2inch is overkill, btw

A static line (no flow) will equalize pressure at both ends. When flow starts is when the changes start. A given line size, at a given pressure, at a given head, minus all the friction determines the GPM at some pressure at the outlet. More flow decreases pressure. Line size and length become the constants in the equation. Yes, 2" may be an overkill depending on what flow and pressure you can live with. In all circumstances I never size a water fee line at less than 1" IPS. Remember "double the line size=4 times the volume. Going from 1" to 1 1/2 doubles the volume. Length and fittings determine the friction factor depending on the material. There are tables on all this stuff.

Ron

 

[Jeepnford]

has anyone used Pex for their main water line from the meter, I am going to run about 1500ft of water line and the least number of joints the better.

Maybe you have done this already but I just had a new water line ran to a house I'm remodeling and the water line is a blue colored plastic pipe called CTS. It uses a different fitting than PEX and you might be able to get it in large rolls for fewer joints.

 

[GLyford]

I think the water tastes better. I could taste a very slight metallic taste from the copper pipes.

Same here.

 

[tomplum]

Thanks for replies on taste.

 

[RTBee]

I had a similar question as Woody, I'm going to have to bury about 500-600 feet slightly uphill (maybe 40 feet elevation) and thinking of using PEX. The outlet at the meter is 3/4". Do I have to stick with 3/4" or can I use 1" or even 1-1/4"? And which would give me the most pressure? Just ball park so I can start planning on what to buy.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Larger line will allow more volume to flow. If your wanting more water per minute at the house then a larger line is needed. The water pressure at the meter is not going to change much, so that is the working pressure you have for use. Only thing you can do for more water it to increase the diameter of the pipe since you cannot change the water pressure your getting from the supplier.

 

[RTBee]

Larger line will allow more volume to flow. If your wanting more water per minute at the house then a larger line is needed. The water pressure at the meter is not going to change much, so that is the working pressure you have for use. Only thing you can do for more water it to increase the diameter of the pipe since you cannot change the water pressure your getting from the supplier.

Thanks! That's exactly what I needed to know.

 

[orezok]

My lateral is about 750'. I ran 2" not because I needed more pressure at the house, but because it provides my fire protection. With a booster pump at the end, I can shoot water over 100' at many gallons per minute.

 

[patrick_g]

Be careful not all PEX is created equal. Some of it is UV challenged and if stored in sunlight at some time prior to purchase you might have a problem. There are UV "toughened" varieties.

No taste or odor contributions from PEX.