Water supply from well to the house

[soal man]

The new house is coming along nicely and I'm about ready to run the water supply line from my well to it, about 150 feet. I have been planning on using 1" pvc buried about 8-10 inches since there is no frost line to worry about. Does anyone recommend using anything other than pvc these days? I've heard from several people to stay away from the black flexible piping (can't think of the name).
Any other ideas/advice you may want to throw in on this will be appreciated.

 

[RickB]

I'd use 200psi roll (flexible) plastic over PVC any day. Jointed PVC would be my last choice for direct burial.

 

[Willl]

I've heard from several people to stay away from the black flexible piping

Don't know what problems they were having, but that stuff has been delivering my water to the house for over 20 years.

 

[JD5210]

What RickB suggested is what I would go with and is most likely the pipe used to go to the well. I would go deeper then 8 inches. So as not to dig it up or should you need to drive over it. You should also check with the city/county because most likely you have a 220 line running along side the pipe code most likely is 18 to 24 inches for electrical wire and if going under a cement walk/driveway at least were I am at ther is different depth/rules. On the electrical wire pumping houses will cut the wire to length, so you do not need to splice the wire.

I would use brass fittings and 2 clamps at each connection on each side, cheap insurance. Heat gun works great making it easier to get brass fitting into pipe. I would also put a check value in the house, between the pressure switch and the pump. This way if the pipe gets a hole in it or the check value on the pump goes, you will not burn up the pump.

If the pressure tank is the basement and you have plans in the future to finish the basement, put the out of site disconnect in now.
For future reference if some day, the pump does not work. Check the little pipe on the pressure switch often this gets plugged.

Sorry if this is more then you asked for, but can not hurt to make sure you know this.

 

[Reverend Blair]

I'd go at least 3 feet down with the pipe. Any shallower and you could dig it up accidentally or damage it by driving over it. It's easier to bury it deep the first time than it is to repair it twice, then decide to bury it deeper.

Any PVC pipe rated for potable water should work fine for you.

 

[Bill Williams]

I have used HDPE water line for the last 20 years and it is inexpensive, will last longer than copper, comes in rolls from 100 ft to 500 ft and is in sizes from 3/4" to 2" . It is approved by most water departments and bldg codes . The pipe can be joined with conventional compression fittings but you must use a stainless steel insert to allow the fitting to get a proper pull out proof grip on the plastic or you will be digging it up . I am not talking about PEX- you may need to go to a supply house to get the stuff, don't know if the big box stores carry it. Make sure it it is SDR 9 and don't put it in shallow 2' minimum or 6" below frost depth

 

[Mousefield]

I have used both PVC and black flexible plastic 1 inch pipe, no problems with either. I would make sure you use a good heavy walled pipe and go down a couple of feet, 8-10 inches is a little shallow for my liking.

 

[tommu56]

The other reason to go deeper is the arch of soil over the pipe spreads the load better than if you are at a higher level less soil.

tom

 

[eepete]

The 200 PSI black PE pipe is very strong. I used it for an 800 ft run from the municipal system. I went 2 feet deep, and 18 inches at the splice points (which you won't have).

I also put pea gravel in the trench before and after the pipe was laid in. That made sure there were no rocks that could puncture the pipe. It also makes it easy to find the pipe should you have to dig around it. Also put a marking tape at about 1 foot down above the pipe in case anyone ever digs around that area. With your 150 ft run, you can do it with no splices which is great.

While you've got the trench open, toss in some electrical conduit for the power to your well pump. Also think if there is anything else you'd ever do in that area, might be worth a 2nd electrical conduit for any future stuff. I'd put the electrical conduit below the water line by about 6" or so, check with local inspectors if this is new construction and must be inspected.

Pete

 

[Ranger Rick]

Whatever you do don't use the 160 PSI black polyethylene pipe that is available at the big box stores. The previous owner of our farm used it on the line to the barn and I have had to repair 3 leaks in the last 4 years. It is thin and is easily damaged. Go with the 200+ PSI black polyethylene pipe from a plumbing supply store. It has much thicker walls. Rick