Hi, I need to replace my main going into the house from the meter. I will be using 60 ft of 3/4 poly line as that is what is there now. I have patched it but the line has busted three times in the last 5 years so this time is replacement.
I do not want to dig tru my yard and I have heard of pulling the new line in as you pull the old one out.
Dig a hole at the meter and one at the house disconnect both and with a nipple inserted into the old line at the house, then the new line (thus connecting them) and drill tru the line and nipple and place two bolts in each side. (pluging the new line first) Then using a wench or a tractor/ truck pull the old line out and at same time the new line in. Also maybe using sopy water as lube?
Any ideas as to if this will work or suggestions??
Thanks
Hmmm, I've never pulled on the pipe itself.
I fed a 3/8" cable down the old line, attached it to the new pipe in the ditch and then pulled the cable back. this way you don't stretch the pipe.
I suspect your problem to begin with is that your line is not buried deep enough and got frozen and burst 3 times in the last 5 years, pls let me know if I'm wrong. Please complete your profile with your location name for everybody to see.
Old Poly lines fail quite frequently here, and we never hit freezing temp for more than a day or two each year at the most, if at all. When they get old they fail.
That's a fairly common practice but there is a couple of things that may work against you. 1) the bolts are going to create a lot of unwanted resistance and 2) will the old pipe stand the stress if it has been failing from normal use.
You might consider researching - pipe pulling - and or - pipe pulling sleeves - that are made for that type of work.
I've linked just one example but possibly one of your local plumbing suppliers has more contacts you could consider.
Those pipe pullers seems to be very helpful and appropriate for this use. I'd be concerned about the volume of the 3 patchs (or who know how many more where done before you) that you will try to squeeze through the nominal diameter of the original pipe. If you just pull from the old pipe, I'm afraid it can actually break at one of the weak spots or at one of the patches, and then you finish with a partial pipe buried into the ground and then yes you'll have to dig big time.
Rest easy-- that is not a concern when pulling pipe.
Last one I did was a new 3/4" soft K copper. We were replacing a 3/4" galvanized pipe. Pulled 60 ft in, hooked up and operating, including digging pits 5' deep in less then 1/2 day.
This was a total fail. The old line snapped as did the cable. Cable was probably too small but the line did not move an inch. Dug it out the old fashion way. Thanks for the encouragement and all.
I think my able is 3/8" and connects to the new pipe only. My pulling method does not pull on the old pipe at all.
Glad to hear you're done though
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