Plumbing Info

If the run from the house to the street is short (under 60 feet) I’d use Type L soft copper. It is less likely to break and it has no fittings in the ground except at each end of the pipe. I’d also put foam insulation around the copper run. For longer runs my next choice would be schedule 40 PVC pipe. Not a bad choice at all.

I would not use flexible plastic – that is black poly pipe. It comes in a roll. It is too soft. Hard surfaces (rocks) rub holes in it and where ever there is a transition to another type of pipe or an elbow it will leak there – because of the hard adapter, radiator clamps, and the soft pipe. These connectors will break over time. I repair them weekly. Schedule 40 PVC or copper is the best way to go with water mains.

7 Comments

  1. Korey

    I know this post is a few years old. Would you consider running schedule 80 pvc pipe as opposed to schedule 40 for outdoor runs like this? Here is an example of the gray stuff: http://www.pvcfittingsonline.com/pipe/schedule-80-pvc-pipe.html that i’m looking at. I’ve heard schedule 80 is more commercial grade. I thought maybe it was better suited for this type of application?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Anthony

      Both types are approved for outdoor use in many situations, and what’s better for you depends on many factors that we unfortunately can’t address. You might want to pose your question at our partner forum, http://www.plbg.com/ – there are plenty of helpful people there that should be able to help.

      Reply
  2. Jeb R.

    What size in diameter would you use for this?

    Reply
  3. Mike

    I have a run of pipe to go from the meter to the house about 200 to 250 lots of rock any idea,s??

    Reply
    • Anthony

      PVC is probably going to be your best bet, but you should really consult with a local plumber who can actually take a look at the situation. Best of luck!

      Reply
  4. Fran

    3/4 street meter, street to house 900 feet. 3 bath home ( 5000 sq feet ) question would 1 1/2 inch line from street to house be OK? currently have 3/4 line and its not good

    Reply

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