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dennyp214
Jun 24, 2012, 10:29 AM
I have to replace the outside supply line running from the meter to the house,the run will be about 100 ft. I was considsering using PEX but have received conflicting info.

massplumber2008
Jun 24, 2012, 01:34 PM
I see no issue with PEX here, but what size tubing are you running? Be clear that PEX pipe sizes run about 1 size lower than you think. For example, 3/4" pex fittings are actually reduced to about 1/2" ID, so you treat the 3/4" like 1/2", OK?

So, again, what size main do you need to run?

Mark

dennyp214
Jun 24, 2012, 10:47 PM
I was planning on a 1" line. Should I go to 1 1/4" line?

Thanks for the info

massplumber2008
Jun 25, 2012, 11:01 AM
What type of PEX pipe/fittings will you be using?

How did you determine that 1" was the correct size for your house?

Let me know, OK?

dennyp214
Jun 25, 2012, 02:57 PM
What type of PEX pipe/fittings will you be using?

How did you determine that 1" was the correct size for your house?

Let me know, OK?

The manager of the plumbing dept. said 1" is standard, however after digging up the meter I see that the line is 3/4", either a copper or bronze and in good shape, I see no pitting. Would I be able to attach the pex line to the existing line using a compression fitting? The fittings that I was thinking about for the pex line are the type that use the stainless steel bands rather than the crimp type.

mygirlsdad77
Jun 25, 2012, 03:32 PM
Just curious, why are you running a new line if copper is in good shape? If you are planning on tying onto the copper, will the run still be 100ft? What does the city say the norm is for new water service? In my area, we are only allowed to use copper or black poly (160 or 200psi), but with the black poly plastic, or any plastic for that matter you may be required to run a tracing wire for future locating of the line. There are no compression fitting available for pex, that I know of. Here you would have to flare the copper and use a flare by threaded fitting, or braze a transition fitting onto the copper. They do make copper to black poly compression fittings, and copper to copper compression fittings for use underground, so I would think this the best bet in the long run. Black poly is also about the cheapest material and easy to run. Check with the city and some local plumbers and see what they are using underground. We have yet to use pex as a main water service, we only use it underground within the footing of the home and never use fittings underground just to be safe. One thing to note, wirsbo and rehau make pex fitting and connections that don't decrease the internal size of the system with the fittings, but they require the correct pex piping to go along with the fittings.