Water Poly Pipe - 20mm or 25mm ? What fittings?

I was planning to use 20mm Vinidex 'blue stripe' poly pipe to run a water line but there was a hitch because the store didn't have any. But they have plenty 25mm pipe.

And we got to talking and it seems the price per 50m is only $5 different so that becomes moot, I don't care.

Leaving me mainly with a starter question: Is there any point or any downside in using a diameter pipe larger than the pipe that supplies the water? i.e. this will be fed from a home tap line that's only 1/2". That doesn't matter a damn either way or there's things I should know about that?

Then fittings. They're directing me to 'Philmac' fittings, compression fittings, and it seems a simple elbow is about $10. And cheaper for the 25mm pipe than for the 20mm!

Curious. And expensive. The simple little pipe run I want to make looks like having maybe 8 elbows in it, maybe more. $80 and more just for the elbows. Then the fittings at each end: tap to pipe, pipe to tap.

There is another kind of pvc fitting that they glue on. They seem to use that with the white rigid plastic pvc. Does that get used with this 'blue pipe' or absolutely not?

I might be going about it all wrong. Thought I'd ask the experts.. ?

A plumber will sort it out super quick in PEX.

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Originally Posted by droog

A plumber will sort it out super quick in PEX.

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Thank you for that. Another new one on me. Never heard of it before. I googled and learned a bit. I see Bunnings have it. But their price for 20m was more than for 50m of Vinidex. And it seems to have a problem in the sun. While we're planning to bury this pipeline it might not yet happen. It's not really my job and I can't say what will happen.

That blue stripe vinidex seems to survive well on top of the ground in all the paddocks around here.

I'm just a bit chary of the cost of fittings. Don't need to be though. I mean if it doubles the cost of the pipework from $100 to $200 that's okay really. It's just kinda deep within me to always look to shaving costs down. I was never a quantity surveyor or even the purchasing officer but I've been damn close to both.

Principle. I'm just trying to find the best gear for the job, in principle, in these modern days.

Thanks for the tip. :)

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Originally Posted by abrogard

Thank you for that. Another new one on me. Never heard of it before. I googled and learned a bit. I see Bunnings have it. But their price for 20m was more than for 50m of Vinidex. And it seems to have a problem in the sun. While we're planning to bury this pipeline it might not yet happen. It's not really my job and I can't say what will happen.

That blue stripe vinidex seems to survive well on top of the ground in all the paddocks around here.

I'm just a bit chary of the cost of fittings. Don't need to be though. I mean if it doubles the cost of the pipework from $100 to $200 that's okay really. It's just kinda deep within me to always look to shaving costs down. I was never a quantity surveyor or even the purchasing officer but I've been damn close to both.

Principle. I'm just trying to find the best gear for the job, in principle, in these modern days.

Thanks for the tip. :)

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There is a very good reason that PEX is used in the majority of new construction for water, hot and cold as well as gas. That reason is cost.
Blue stripe is cheap, the fittings are not. It will add up.

Bunnings is not always the best price particularly for plumbing, a plumber will obtain the parts for less than you will.

Droog,
this bloke is a troll. Disengage.

yep. okay. thanks.

25mm would be better even though you are coming off 1/2" because 8 elbows will restrict the flow and you will get more volume in a 25mm pipe, however where possible go for a sweeping slow bend and just clip the pipe rather than using elbows.

Sorry to sound so dumb but what's 'just clip the pipe' ? When we get clear of the building we can go sweeping curves. When it gets to the destination shed I was reckoning on two elbows right there - one to lift it up off the ground and the other to turn it into the shed.

But that's not right is it? I can easier cheaper feed it into a bit of old gal pipe I've got with elbows to hand - or even put it into that cheap white stuff...

It's all just a tiny little neighbour's fancy really but I find it very interesting indeed how it seems to expand to take in all kinds of considerations.....

All this plotting and planning is about 'what to do next'. Currently it's all running fine on a garden hose. :)



I'll try to get away with fewer elbows.

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Originally Posted by abrogard

Sorry to sound so dumb.........I'll try to get away with fewer elbows.

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Sounds like you have got it under control :2tsup:

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Originally Posted by jack620

Droog,
this bloke is a troll. Disengage.

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Thanks. Yes I have seen all the other threads but sometime you try and help out especially when you see questions on joining polyethylene with pvc fittings, or trying to join two obviously different sized threads.

All of it is illegal work but at least it will be clearly a DIY bodge, I just hope it does not cause injury to someone.

A clip is something you use to secure the pipe to either wood or masonry/concrete, good luck with your install

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Originally Posted by Camelot

A clip is something you use to secure the pipe to either wood or masonry/concrete, good luck with your install

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Thanks for that. My strange head. Misses the obvious sometimes. Thanks for your good wishes. They are much appreciated. :)