Plumbing material question

[three fish]

Planning a basement sump room and trying to plan on what to use for the drain and return lines. Ideally I would like continuous lines (no joints) as this will be above a finished ceiling. I looked into Pex but I can't seem to find anything bigger that 1". I also could not find fittings in poly to go from pex to threaded or barbed.

My second thought was using the black tubing used for underground sprinkler systems. This fits many of the standard poly fittings. A friend told me this tubing may leach unwanted chemicals into my system.

I am planning two seperate drain lines and one main return that splits when it gets to the tank for a total of about 60'.

Maybe flexible PVC is my best option?

 

[customcolor]

spa flex will work....they cut it to length that you need at the hardware store...anything over 1" is harder to bend it cuz of its memory that it has from being on the role.....using some heat on it can change that....50' (if you need that much) maby per role and it wont kink

 

[three fish]

spa flex? Describe it to me. Is that the black stuff? Sorry.

 

[Jhildebrand]

Agreed. A bit pricey though. Long runs are better with hard PVC and using spaflex to make the beds or go around things. Great for return lines, but kind of a waste on a big project.

You might also look at suction or braided hose. Might change your mind when you see what a 100' roll costs though...

 

[Jhildebrand]

Spaflex is flexible PVC. Comes in a roll in either black or white. White most common. Menards sells it in 10' sections, Home Depot by the foot, up to 1.5". You need to use flexible PVC cement or the rain-r-shine cement. Both have the blue label. Regular PVC cement sucks and doesn't form a good bond. I use the rain-r-shine and it sets fast and bonds great.

 

[Jhildebrand]

To soften this to make it more workable, just soak it in a tub with a couple inches of hot water for 10 minutes...

 

[Fishcrazy06]

Spaflex is flexible PVC. Comes in a roll in either black or white. White most common. Menards sells it in 10' sections, Home Depot by the foot, up to 1.5". You need to use flexible PVC cement or the rain-r-shine cement. Both have the blue label. Regular PVC cement sucks and doesn't form a good bond. I use the rain-r-shine and it sets fast and bonds great.

+1 I love this stuff and would never use anything else again. Not only do you bypass the use of 45 or 90 fittings you have less head loss due to more sweeping turns in the plumbing!

 

[three fish]

Now I understand. I have seen Spaflex for about 2$ ft. Thanks for the recommendation for the rain r shine.

 

[siropa]

Why the paranoia about a continuous run? If you use hard PVC and prime and glue it right, it isn't going to leak.

 

[three fish]

That would be a much cheaper option for me Siropa. I do like the idea of reduced head loss because of the the soft curves.

 

[siropa]

You could always use a few pieces of spaflex in the worst spot where the bends are.

 

[MrSquid]

Not only do you bypass the use of 45 or 90 fittings you have less head loss due to more sweeping turns in the plumbing!

That's what I was going to say.

Lowe's sells spaflex too. (I'm just sayin'..... in case you guys feel compelled to help my 401k )

 

[customcolor]

That's what I was going to say.

Lowe's sells spaflex too. (I'm just sayin'..... in case you guys feel compelled to help my 401k )

thats where i go for all and i do mean all my pvc needs.....if they dont have it you dont need it

 

[dauphin07]

I'll make a deal with you: You get them to open a store in GB and I'll buy all my stuff there. I heart Lowe's...

 

[customcolor]

the one in kimberly is only about 20-30min from ya

 

[MrSquid]

I'll make a deal with you: You get them to open a store in GB and I'll buy all my stuff there. I heart Lowe's...

They DO own land there. So it's just a matter of time. I however have no pull in that decision. :tongue: