Plumbing Question
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
Plumbing Question
I'm changing to a larger well tank. My old setup has PVC between the well tank and the pipe that comes from the well. Supply pipe through the house is copper. Is it necessary to use PVC for some reason? In case the wellhead is struck by lightning current won't pass through the house? Noise transmission? Im thinking about all copper after the galvanized barbed fitting from the well supply. Is that okay? Thanks.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,385
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From: Mercer County, OH
My house has a similar set-up. It was probably done that way because it was easier to deal with all the short runs and connections by using PVC. Do whatever you feel most comfortable with.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 567
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From: Vancouver, WA
I'm guessing that the PVC makes it easier to work around, but you also have to deal with 'galvanic corrosion' when you deal with copper and galvanised steel, and natural water chemicals. I would use the same set up.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 721
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From: Monmouth County, NJ
Other than the fact copper plumbing costs up to six times as much as PVC, there's no reason you can't use either.
Oh, and apparently living in California causes you to get cancer if you drink from PVC. So keep that in mind.
Oh, and apparently living in California causes you to get cancer if you drink from PVC. So keep that in mind.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: North west La
Sharkebite connections work great for many types of pipe. You can join pvc &copper with them. No lead & very easy to use
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Posting Guru
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From: Location, Location.
Lead-free solder isn't just available and work fine - building code requires that you NEVER use leaded solder for soldering water supply piping in a home. They make lead-free solder specifically for that. It's as common, or even more so, than leaded solder. There's no reason or excuse for having lead in your water supply lines.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2005
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From: Location, Location.
The flexible plastic hose between your pump and the plumbing serves several purposes:
- as a vibration damper to isolate the pump from the rigid copper plumbing - makes it quieter and gentler on your joints
- insulating galvanic action between the copper plumbing and the non-copper fittings at the pump
- the flexibility takes up any minor mis-alignments between the pump outlet and the copper line, taking stress off the fittings - it can be tough to get them lined up perfectly with the pump attached to those great honkin' well hoses.
Be sure to use hose with braided pressure-reinforcing.
- as a vibration damper to isolate the pump from the rigid copper plumbing - makes it quieter and gentler on your joints
- insulating galvanic action between the copper plumbing and the non-copper fittings at the pump
- the flexibility takes up any minor mis-alignments between the pump outlet and the copper line, taking stress off the fittings - it can be tough to get them lined up perfectly with the pump attached to those great honkin' well hoses.
Be sure to use hose with braided pressure-reinforcing.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
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From: N. Illinois
Thanks for the replies. For the little bit of piping, cost isnt the issue. What I see right now is weird corrosion on the PVC that looks like bubbled up battery acid on the PVC joints. Why? I'm afraid if I touch it, it will start leaking or crack. That's why I thought I'd switch. I never considered a braided flex connection, but will certainly add one. We have terrible black iron that has coated all interiors of our copper, so before I install the new well tank, I'm putting a whole house filter before the tank. Thanks for the replies.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 721
Likes: 1
From: Monmouth County, NJ
That sounds like the joints on the vinyl pipes weren't made properly. It's pretty easy to do, but you MUST follow the rules. Work fast, no water for 24 hours, twist each piece 90 degrees, don't be cheap with the cement, etc.
I would also like to add for any other readers out there, it is a myth that you should let the purple primer dry before putting the cement on. Apparently a lot of folks think this is the right way. If you do that you may as well not use the primer, the whole point is to soften the vinyl so it can mix with the cement. I've seen a fair amount of bad joints that were the result of improper cement application.
I would also like to add for any other readers out there, it is a myth that you should let the purple primer dry before putting the cement on. Apparently a lot of folks think this is the right way. If you do that you may as well not use the primer, the whole point is to soften the vinyl so it can mix with the cement. I've seen a fair amount of bad joints that were the result of improper cement application.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 721
Likes: 1
From: Monmouth County, NJ
Either that or your water is so toxic it has already turned you into a demented monster forever consigned to avoiding society and spewing BS on Ford Truck Enthusiasts all day. At least, that's what happened to me after I ignored the warning about drinking that really tasty water last year 
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