Installing HDPE Water Line to One (Eventually Two) House. Need Advice.

[Al N]

My house has an approx. 300' set-back from the meter. The current water supply line is 3/4" copper which was installed in the 1960s. It has begun developing multiple pinholes and must be replaced. It runs out of a 5/8" x 3/4" meter. Pressure is good at approx. 350' developed feet even with 3/4" pipe but I don't yet know what is the pressure at the meter.

Plan: Run either 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" HDPE pipe from the meter to the current house (300')

Future plan: Tee off of the new line at 100' and run additional HDPE pipe 550' from tee to an additional, new house (650' from meter.) and have water company upgrade meter with 1" x 3/4" version.

I'm a DIYer who has worked with PEX and copper but I'm uncertain about a few things:

1. Should I choose IPS or CTS size pipe?
2. Would 1 1/4" pipe be adequately large to avoid frictional losses (assuming proper pressure) or should I run
run 1 1/2", or a combination?
3. What fittings will I need to connect to the meter tailpiece? Waterworks x barb
adapter?
4. Will I also need reducer(s) for the size of pipe I intend to use?

Thanks in advance for advice!

 

[Reach4]

Should I choose IPS or CTS size pipe?

Use SIDR ASTM D2239

You would usually use barbed "insert" fittings into the poly. Use 2 worm gear clamps with the worms on opposite sides. The fittings will have NPT threaded fittings on the non-barbed side.

http://www.plasticpipe.com.cn/blog/peguide.pdf

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Michael Young]

go with 1-1/2". Do yourself a favor and where you cut in for the future run, install a ground-box with a valve so you don't have any buried joints. This will give you easy access for future repairs and also give you easy access when you're ready to add that second run.

 

[Jadziedzic]

What are the chances you (or a surviving relative) might sell either of the two houses in the future? For the cost of an extra 200-odd feet of pipe consider putting your tee near the meter, and have individual runs to each house. That way if you want to set up a separate account for each house at some future date you won't need to dig up that 100 feet of pipe to your proposed tee.

 

[Michael Young]

What are the chances you (or a surviving relative) might sell either of the two houses in the future? For the cost of an extra 200-odd feet of pipe consider putting your tee near the meter, and have individual runs to each house. That way if you want to set up a separate account for each house at some future date you won't need to dig up that 100 feet of pipe to your proposed tee.

Smart thinking jadziedzic

 

[Al N]

Use SIDR ASTM D2239

You would usually use barbed "insert" fittings into the poly. Use 2 worm gear clamps with the worms on opposite sides. The fittings will have NPT threaded fittings on the non-barbed side.

http://www.plasticpipe.com.cn/blog/peguide.pdf

Thank you. Are there any scenarios where I may want to use CTS size pipe instead of the IPS pipe you suggest using? I understand the size differences but I don't understand why one is chosen over the other.

 

[Al N]

go with 1-1/2". Do yourself a favor and where you cut in for the future run, install a ground-box with a valve so you don't have any buried joints. This will give you easy access for future repairs and also give you easy access when you're ready to add that second run.

Good idea. Thanks.

 

[Al N]

What are the chances you (or a surviving relative) might sell either of the two houses in the future? For the cost of an extra 200-odd feet of pipe consider putting your tee near the meter, and have individual runs to each house. That way if you want to set up a separate account for each house at some future date you won't need to dig up that 100 feet of pipe to your proposed tee.

A very good point. The "future location" is at the back of the property which shares the same driveway as the current house. There's a possibility I may rent out the current house if I ever build a new one in the back. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Michael Young]

Thank you. Are there any scenarios where I may want to use CTS size pipe instead of the IPS pipe you suggest using? I understand the size differences but I don't understand why one is chosen over the other.

CTS pipe will work fine too.

 

[Reach4]

Thank you. Are there any scenarios where I may want to use CTS size pipe instead of the IPS pipe you suggest using? I understand the size differences but I don't understand why one is chosen over the other.

SIDR pipe is neither CTS nor IPS. Those have consistent OD for gluing inside of glue fittings. SIDR has consistant ID for different pressure ratings (thickness) so you can use the same size brass or stainless barbed fittings.

https://terrylove.com/forums/index.php?threads/tips-for-400-ft-pipe-run.74073/ may have some info for you.

 

[Al N]

Thanks for everyone's replies. I found out that code here in Louisville calls for 200 psi rated CTS pipe when HDPE is used, so I'll be using that along with Ford pack compression fittings. I'm still trying to decide on 1 1/2" vs. 1 1/4" for the main run to the back of the property (650') but, either way, I'm going to tee off that and run 1" to the house.