[jayne]

I've got a small plumbing project I need help with so I'm looking for an actual plumber or a handyman who's got plumbing experience. I want to:

- replace the shutoff valve on the pressure tank with a better one (current one is plumbed after some cheap pipe that looks like it's going to break and then I'll have no way to shut the water off)

- replace some old suspect PVC that was run right in the middle of the basement (should be run along the wall, not just hanging in open space suspended by some strapping)

- add a "T" in a water line that runs to the barn to add a 2nd hose bib (I've already run the pipe to the hose bib, but haven't hooked that new pipe to a water source yet).

There is a chance I could do this work, but there is also a chance that I totally screw it up and flood the basement.... so I'm just going to pretend like I live in Cary and hire someone to do the work.

This is what I'm talking about, I think this setup is highly suspect:

 

[elenaidan]

Well brother, if I were a plumber, I would do it for free...... but I am not. If you get an elevator though. Gimme a call.

 

[Cowboysfan]

I love the strap for support!

 

[Lawless]

Man, pex is EASY. Get or borrow a crimper (the "tit" style rings are easier, they look like a CV boot clamp) and a bag of rings and some sticks of pex and do it. Tons of you tube vids on it. You can do it and you will be a better man because of it.

 

[Mr. Facebook]

I hate CPVC. I'd replace every inch of it you can.

 

[mj1angier]

Looks fine to me

 

[Scsmith42]

Man, pex is EASY. Get or borrow a crimper (the "tit" style rings are easier, they look like a CV boot clamp) and a bag of rings and some sticks of pex and do it. Tons of you tube vids on it. You can do it and you will be a better man because of it.

I concur with Lawless (with the exception that I prefer the standard solid pex rings). What you're proposing to do is relatively easy. Do you have a drain in your basement? If so turn off the water to the house (or from the well) and open up some faucets to relieve the pressure. Next attach a hose to the drain valve shown at the bottom of your pressure tank and drain the tank. You need to leave a faucet open somewhere so that the tank will drain completely. After that remove the old CPVC pipe and install the new PEX.

Tools to buy (or borrow) are a pex crimper and a pex / pvc cutting tool. You'll be surprised at how easy this project is to do.

 

[Armorpl8chikn]

You can do it. I can mail you my PEX tool if you want to do it yourself. If it wasn't so far, and I didnt have too many irons in the fire I would go down there and do it for you.

 

[jayne]

Man, pex is EASY. Get or borrow a crimper (the "tit" style rings are easier, they look like a CV boot clamp) and a bag of rings and some sticks of pex and do it. Tons of you tube vids on it. You can do it and you will be a better man because of it.

I did some pvc stuff myself, but it's outside where the penalty for failure is much lower. I want a pro to do the bits off the pressure tank and anywhere a leak will cause actual property damage.

I'm all for DIY, but sometimes the risk/reward payoff isn't there.

 

[Scsmith42]

I did some pvc stuff myself, but it's outside where the penalty for failure is much lower. I want a pro to do the bits off the pressure tank and anywhere a leak will cause actual property damage.

I'm all for DIY, but sometimes the risk/reward payoff isn't there.

It is darn near impossible to screw up a pex connection as long as you follow a few basics. If you still want to hire someone I can refer you to one of my farm hands who has a lot of experience with plumbing.

 

[rantingredneck]

I also have a pex tool available for loan and am a bit closer to you than the Chicken. If you decide to DIY

 

[jayne]

A member and plumber (who can out himself if he chooses) is going to give me a hand. Since it's a small job and we're keeping it in the family so to speak I'm hoping I'll have a chance to make a few connections myself. Psuedo-DIY with professional backup, can't get better than that.

We're a couple weeks out on the project, but I'll post pictures back into the thread in case anyone is interested in how it turns out.

 

[Iron bottom]

PVC is legal for the water supply piping, but not legal for water distribution. No PVC piping inside the building.

 

[jayne]

Project complete.

We went from that crazy floating piping that shook like a leaf in a wind storm every time the water was turned on/off to this steampunk worthy setup. We've got shut off valves for the whole system, one for the barn run and one for my garden run. That way if anything fails anywhere we can shut down just that leg and still have functioning toilets. That's important to me.

PEX wasn't bad to work with, except that it kept reverting to it's rolled form in spots. We spent a goodly amount of time getting everything perfectly lined up and straight and then you turn your back after it's in and things start trying to twist every which way. Hopefully it settles down in time and goes back to straight.

When it comes time to redo the water out in the barn I feel pretty confident I can do it all myself.

Thanks again to our mystery plumber!

 

[jp8819]

Looks good. As a side note some plumbing supply houses sell it in sticks as well which is easier to work with without trying to recoil like the rolls. Down side is more joints if you need to make longer runs.

 

[fishgutzy]

Looks good. As a side note some plumbing supply houses sell it in sticks as well which is easier to work with without trying to recoil like the rolls. Down side is more joints if you need to make longer runs.

Discovered PEX recently. Love it. No torch. No solder.
Wanted to put a gate valve in the garage for the line going to the outside faucet.
PEX made it a piece of cake.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[rskahle]

I was happy to come and help, it was great to meet a new member and getting to Fuquay gun was cool.