Running PVC Water Lines

YoungOne · #1 03/27/07, 12:47 PM

I have a total of 3600' of PVC line to run in a trench 4" by 24". I am hoping for ideas on how to do this as efficiently as possible. we are renting a trencher to dig as quick as possible and will layer sand / pipe / sand then backfill and compact by driving the line over with truck. Any ideas on how to speed this up? I would love to get it done in a single weekend (say 2 guys 20 work hours each).

Hammer4 · #2 03/27/07, 01:04 PM

Any reason you are using pvc and not a roll of black poly? I would think the black poly would be faster to get put in, no joints to fool with.

Also what size of pipe are you putting in, for that long a run you better make sure its big enough or you won't have any flow at the far end. (Due to some law of fluid dynamics I don't really know.)

YoungOne · #3 03/27/07, 01:22 PM

Mostly 1", not looking for pressure just simple gravity fed system tank on hill. Main Line a 2-way from well to Tank and back 500', 1st line 250' (10' elev), 2nd line 1150' (35' elev), 3rd line 1700' (35' elev). Each site will have a cistern tank so no need for high flow or pressure just so that the water gets there. I figured I'd have to talk to a friend who runs hydraulic numbers for city pipelines and see what he comes up with. If 1" ain't enough "them other folk gonna haul there water".

harrisjnet · #4 03/27/07, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungOne

Mostly 1", not looking for pressure just simple gravity fed system tank on hill. Main Line a 2-way from well to Tank and back 500', 1st line 250' (10' elev), 2nd line 1150' (35' elev), 3rd line 1700' (35' elev). Each site will have a cistern tank so no need for high flow or pressure just so that the water gets there. I figured I'd have to talk to a friend who runs hydraulic numbers for city pipelines and see what he comes up with. If 1" ain't enough "them other folk gonna haul there water".

Stick with PVC. It will outlast the black poly by years. Schedual 40 PVC is plenty good enough for what you are doing. If you can get the slip joint pipe enstead of the glue ends, you will be better off. The slip joints allow for a little movement in case of extreme heat, cold or rain. I am a licensed Water Operator in Oklahoma. On our system we have two customers who put in long stretches of line at about the same time. One used slip joint the other used glue in. Almost every joint of the glue in has had to be dug up and repaired. No leaks on the slip joint line at all. It may cost a little more, but if it is worth doing, it is worth doing right. JMO

Old Vet · #5 03/27/07, 01:34 PM

Dig your trench then lay out the line beside it and couple it togeather before letting it doun in the trench. This will save time and efort. If you put it togeather in the trench you have to lift the pipe and couble it togathere and then let it down in the ditch.

harrisjnet · #6 03/27/07, 01:37 PM

Oh, another thing. If you have any major curves or elbows in your line, drive some kind of strong metal stake behind it. This will keep it from pushing against plain dirt and moving far enough to cause a leak.

littlebitfarm · #7 03/27/07, 01:43 PM

Don't backfill the trench until you check the pipe for leaks!

Kathie

okiemom · #8 03/27/07, 03:52 PM

Is Pex an option? I have heard it can expand many times over and not break if frozen and no/very few joints.

Windy in Kansas · #9 03/27/07, 04:33 PM

It is not a big deal and two people should easily get it done.

After the trench is cut string out the sections of pipe to their approximate position. It is better to have them too close than too far apart.

Build a box of plywood to hold your fittings if the joints aren't bell joints.
Have a center divider in the box taller than the sides to serve as a carrying handle and also with two V or simple depressions cut into it so that they will support the ends of the two pipes that will be joined. This facilitates cleaning and gluing without fighting dirt.

In addition to fittings the box will carry cleaning supplies such as rags and primer, and the required glue.

One person cleans and primes, the other person glues and holds the joint together as recommended. One the job I did the glue required a ¼ turn after the joints were brought together and held for 1 minute. While this is being done the other person goes ahead to clean and prime the next joint.

We assembled the pipe beside the trench and laid it in after pressure testing.

Our 3,000 foot job could have been accomplished in one day but the trip totals for the trencher was 280 miles.

We were installing 2 inch line so smaller may go even faster.