I would like to replace my one and one half inch pvc water line to the ranch house that is 20 years old. Does anyone have any experience with the poly pipes.

I need to run just over 1/2 mile.

It's easy to work with. Only real difference in the grand scheme of things is that polypropelyne pipe uses compression type fittings.

I would suggest, however, that A) don't replace the existing line unless you are sure it's leaking and B) if you do replace it, don't use the cheap poly fittings - go with the more expensive ones that use thread compression. The cheap fittings are easier to install, but are very prone to failure. I think I'm up to a dozen replacements in my yard irrigation system alone.

There is a class action lawsuit about poly piping in mobile homes and it's tendancies to rupture/seperate at the fittings.

I worked on a ranch that was ENTIRELY plumbed with poly and it was a nightmare- I was chasing leaks on a weekly if not daily basis.

That is only the gray pipe, I had it in my trailer at ATM. Got the whole thing replumbed for free. The black 1" poly pipe is good stuff, and comes in rolls. Just rent you a trencher and go to town. Good luck.

I spent last year's 4th of July replacing 1300 lf of poly line. What I found was once it split the first time no matter how many times you repaired it you were chasing another leak in 10-14 days. Go for the PVC, it will be cheaper in the long run when you factor in the time repairing the poly pipe. Find a contractor supply place and buy your materials there we got 20 ft lengths "belled" on one end drastically reducing our fitting cost.

We did the math... and it's quite a bit more expensive than PVC when you count the fittings and such... so we ran the 1400' feet we needed to in 3/4" PVC.

"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."
-Thomas Jefferson

BS,

You should get at least 40 years of service out of a good sch.40 or c900 pvc pipe. I would not even consider replacing mine unless you are having a lot of trouble with it.

PVC is less expensive up front, but you will pay for it in the long run. Black poly pipe will last years, and if you don't want to bury it, you can keep it above ground. You can drive over it, it will be fine.

These guys work in both Oil & Gas and Farm & Ranch.

www.quickline.cc/QL-ourproduct.htm

Thank you for the replies. The PVC I want to replace is 1 1/2 inch and is giving me problems with the joints coming loose. 20 ft sections with a 4 inch bell/gasket. This line runs through a qtr mile of pasture. I think because of the wet spring and now very dry conditions, I'm getting alot of earth movement.

My understanding is that the polyethylene piping has come a very long way since its introduction in the 60's. My thought is to replace the PVC in the pasture using a ditch witch and putting the poly in......eventually tying back in to the pvc that runs up the 300' slope to the house.

I have used the black poly before also. It is good stuff however I have had problems with the joints in it as well. All of joints were assembled using a coupling and hose clamps. If this is what you decide to do, be sure and double up on your hose clamps. Use 4 on each joint and make sure they are stainless steel.

What about the clear peck pipe?

Would love to hear the results others have had as well. I spent yesterday repairing a 2" PVC line that has been there 20 or so years. It runs about a half mile and is about 2 feet deep. I don't know if we got a bad bunch of couplers or what, but over the years I've become pretty efficient at repairing breaks. The clay soil doesn't help, but it would be interesting to know how much sand it would take and how deep we would have had to place the line to keep from having these joint issues.