[pwd77]

What are the best fittings for PE pipe?

I'm planning to run a mainline from the house supply to the irrigation valves. It will make a bend (~10' radius) and go up a steep bank, so something flexible would be best.

The house supply is 1" PE, tee'd to copper just inside, then runs outside. it is zone3 here, very cold in winter.

I prefer PE due to the ease of negotiating the landscape. However, all the fittings I have seen are interior, so the ID is choked at both ends.
Are there fittings that go on the outside (as with PVC)?
Are the choke points irrelevant?
Does one just go with 1-1/4" to solve this problem?
Is it acceptable to bury pipe with metal clamps on it?

Thank you!

[massplumber2008]

Hi Pwd77...

PE pipe only has insert fittings as you have seen... no outside fittings. If running PE try to get it so you are only installing SS clamps at each sprinkler head... no clamps in between heads if possible..

Increasing to 1.25" will not help you in terms of volume here as the 1" PE that supplies the house is what will determine volume available to the house and the irrigation system.

Check out this link for info. On irrigation systems:

Irrigation tutorials; sprinkler & drip systems, design, install and repair.

How many sprinkler heads are you planning on?

Let me know...

MARK

[pwd77]

Hi Mark
I see your point about 1" PE following 1" PE. I guess the plumber probably used the same fittings. However, are the number of constriction points (fittings) significant? Is that different than having your whole line the same ID as the fitting?

I'm planning to run PE just to the valves, then PVC or flex PVC from the valves since it will be pretty linear.

Its an irregular plot, about 60' x 50' (+/-). I do not have a specific plan on the # sprinklers, thought I would use the free Rainbird service or irrigationtutorials.com for a better estimate. Probably 3 heads total, 3 on each of 3 lines. 1 valve for each 3 heads if necessary. High end rotating heads, 30'-plus range.

Right now I just want to get supply up where I need it and use it to manually sprink until I decide on the final design.

Thanks,

Pete

[massplumber2008]

Hey Pete...

I'm not really an inground sprinkler guy... just connect the vacuum breaker (which you will need) up for most jobs! Check out the tutorials for best details or wait until one of the other guys pop in... someone here should have better idea on this.

I do know that the maximum size that you can work with is the 1" PE... that may limit the number of heads/distances allowed... just not sure how to tabulate for you.

Good luck here...

MARK