Water main size query
Discussion
I'm doing a major house renovation & have got to the stage where I need to move the incoming water pipe. I've exposed the pipe in question which is black plastic, I can't measure the diameter without cutting it open which I don't want to do until I can reconnect it all back up! I've measured the external circumference of it which is 68mm. I ***think*** that means I need to get the 20mm version? Or would a house built in '79 ~ '80 era have an imperial plastic pipe?! Also, when they quote pipe sizes is that external diameter or internal? Thanks for any help 
Dave_ST220 said:
I'm doing a major house renovation & have got to the stage where I need to move the incoming water pipe. I've exposed the pipe in question which is black plastic, I can't measure the diameter without cutting it open which I don't want to do until I can reconnect it all back up! I've measured the external circumference of it which is 68mm. I ***think*** that means I need to get the 20mm version? Or would a house built in '79 ~ '80 era have an imperial plastic pipe?! Also, when they quote pipe sizes is that external diameter or internal? Thanks for any help
It is half inch imperial so 20mm blue will do. Before you cut it go to a plumbers merchant and ask for the fittings to join half inch to twenty millimetre blue as some need inserts and there are three thickness's of black imperial. Thanks guys. Is it worth replacing it to the road with 25 or 32mm? I will be getting a water meter fitted. Would they connect up new pipe at the same time? ! It would be easier to leave it but if it makes a big difference I'd do it. At the moment the main goes straight to 15mm pipe. We are free plumbing the whole place with a mains pressure hot water system if that affects anything?
We're in the exact same position and it's a job we're doing in the coming weeks. I did wonder how to connect black imperial pipe to the blue pipe.
We are going for 32mm. Not sure what length of pipe you require, but the cheapest place I've found for 50m of 32mm is at Toolstation at £47.84 incl VAT
Fittings are cheaper elsewhere though.
We are going for 32mm. Not sure what length of pipe you require, but the cheapest place I've found for 50m of 32mm is at Toolstation at £47.84 incl VAT
Fittings are cheaper elsewhere though.
Rules & Regulations for pipes:
1. All pipe is to be made of a long hole, surrounded by metal or plastic, centered around the hole.
2. All pipe is to be hollow throughout the entire length -- do not use holes of different length than the pipe.
3. The ID (Inside Diameter) of all pipe must not exceed the OD (Outside Diameter) -- otherwise the hole will be on the outside.
4. The pipe is to be supplied with nothing in the hole, so that water, steam or other stuff can be put inside at a later date.
5. All pipe is to be supplied without rust; this can be more readily applied at the job site. (NOTE: Some vendors are now able to supply pre-rusted pipes. If available in your area, this product is recommended as it will save a great deal of time at the job site.)
6. All pipe over 500ft (150m) in length should have the words "LONG PIPE" clearly painted on each side and end, so the contractor will know it's a long pipe.
7. Pipe over 2 miles (3.2km) in length must also have the words "LONG PIPE" painted in the middle so the contractor will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine whether it is a long or short pipe.
8. All pipe over 6ft (1.83m) in diameter must have the words "LARGE PIPE" painted on it, so the contractor won't mistake it for a small pipe.
9. Flanges must be used on all pipe. Flanges must have holes from bolts that are quite separate from the big holes in the middle.
10. When ordering 90 or 30 degree elbows, be sure to specify left-hand or right-hand, otherwise you will end up going the wrong way.
11. Be sure to specify to your vendor whether you want level, uphill or downhill pipe. If you use downhill pipe for going uphill, the water will flow the wrong way.
12. All couplings should have either right-hand or left-hand threads, but do not mix the threads. Otherwise, as the coupling is being screwed on to one pipe, it is being unscrewed from the other.
13. All pipes shorter than 1/8in (3mm) are very uneconomical in use, requiring many joints. They are generally known as washers.
14. Joints in pipes for water must be watertight. Those pipes for compressed air, however, need only be airtight.
15. Lengths of pipes may be welded or soldered together. This method is not recommended for concrete or earthenware pipes.
16. Other commodities are often confused with pipes. These include; Conduit, Tube, Tunnel, and Drain. Use only genuine pipes.
1. All pipe is to be made of a long hole, surrounded by metal or plastic, centered around the hole.
2. All pipe is to be hollow throughout the entire length -- do not use holes of different length than the pipe.
3. The ID (Inside Diameter) of all pipe must not exceed the OD (Outside Diameter) -- otherwise the hole will be on the outside.
4. The pipe is to be supplied with nothing in the hole, so that water, steam or other stuff can be put inside at a later date.
5. All pipe is to be supplied without rust; this can be more readily applied at the job site. (NOTE: Some vendors are now able to supply pre-rusted pipes. If available in your area, this product is recommended as it will save a great deal of time at the job site.)
6. All pipe over 500ft (150m) in length should have the words "LONG PIPE" clearly painted on each side and end, so the contractor will know it's a long pipe.
7. Pipe over 2 miles (3.2km) in length must also have the words "LONG PIPE" painted in the middle so the contractor will not have to walk the entire length of the pipe to determine whether it is a long or short pipe.
8. All pipe over 6ft (1.83m) in diameter must have the words "LARGE PIPE" painted on it, so the contractor won't mistake it for a small pipe.
9. Flanges must be used on all pipe. Flanges must have holes from bolts that are quite separate from the big holes in the middle.
10. When ordering 90 or 30 degree elbows, be sure to specify left-hand or right-hand, otherwise you will end up going the wrong way.
11. Be sure to specify to your vendor whether you want level, uphill or downhill pipe. If you use downhill pipe for going uphill, the water will flow the wrong way.
12. All couplings should have either right-hand or left-hand threads, but do not mix the threads. Otherwise, as the coupling is being screwed on to one pipe, it is being unscrewed from the other.
13. All pipes shorter than 1/8in (3mm) are very uneconomical in use, requiring many joints. They are generally known as washers.
14. Joints in pipes for water must be watertight. Those pipes for compressed air, however, need only be airtight.
15. Lengths of pipes may be welded or soldered together. This method is not recommended for concrete or earthenware pipes.
16. Other commodities are often confused with pipes. These include; Conduit, Tube, Tunnel, and Drain. Use only genuine pipes.
We have moved to direct cylinder in the house. Flow was poor with existing 1/2 inch & 15mm mains incoming pipework. Installed new 32mm MDPE to the house, 22mm distribution to pick up on the old mains 15mm, and 22mm all the way to the new direct cylinder and previously loft tank fed cold to the baths and showers.
Night and day difference, just like it used to be when we had the storage tank. Full flow to showers and baths all the time.
I'm not sure what the tap on the water board side of the meter is, but the meter is still only 15mm, but with a push fitting that takes the 32mm MDPE on our side of the meter.
You can't have 63mm surely ?! Isn't that a flexible duct over the existing pipework ?!
Night and day difference, just like it used to be when we had the storage tank. Full flow to showers and baths all the time.
I'm not sure what the tap on the water board side of the meter is, but the meter is still only 15mm, but with a push fitting that takes the 32mm MDPE on our side of the meter.
You can't have 63mm surely ?! Isn't that a flexible duct over the existing pipework ?!
doesn't explain the 600mm though 
Woody3 said:
We're in the exact same position and it's a job we're doing in the coming weeks. I did wonder how to connect black imperial pipe to the blue pipe.
We are going for 32mm. Not sure what length of pipe you require, but the cheapest place I've found for 50m of 32mm is at Toolstation at £47.84 incl VAT
Fittings are cheaper elsewhere though.
If 25m will do you can get it here:We are going for 32mm. Not sure what length of pipe you require, but the cheapest place I've found for 50m of 32mm is at Toolstation at £47.84 incl VAT
Fittings are cheaper elsewhere though.
http://www.plastics-express.co.uk/water-service-pi...
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