What size MDPE is normally used for a domestic water main, 20mm or 25mm? The run is about 5m to the house, plus another 5m under the house. Looks like it's currently a 15mm copper pipe going out through the front wall into the ground, but I haven't exposed any of it underground yet.
I *think* our very recently replaced (few weeks) main blue pipe is 25mm. Bloomin' awkward to get at - but seems a tiny bit larger than 22mm copper OD.
Meant to say - that goes into 15mm copper thereafter.
On Friday 08 March 2013 11:15 Andrew Gabriel wrote in uk.d-i-y:
Don't know about MDPE, but my main is 1/2" alkathene. I jointed 25mm MDPE onto that when I rerouted. The aim being that should I ever have the drive up, I'd replace the rest with 25mm.
Normally, I've not seen anything more than 1/2" internal bore pipe as "usual" and that runs across lead, iron adn the plastic mentioned above.
Mine is 25 mm OD (into 15 mm copper). Blue, replaced about 10 years ago, presumably MPDE.
Until a few weeks ago mine was 1/2" heavy wall copper, but I've replaced it with 25mm. Where ever I've run water pipes here on the farm I've always run
25mm as the difference in price is minimal compared to the cost of trenching. I've laid approx 3/4 mile so far!AWEM
ps anyone want to buy my trenching machine now it's finished with? - going on ebay when I can get round to it.
In message , Andrew Mawson writes
I'm still interested but concerned about getting it home from Sussex:-(
Well it is on caterpillar tracks so you could slowly drive it home
AWEM
Tempted, but sadly overkill for a 5m trench. Out of curiosity, have you got a picture of it (or point to a similar one)?
I just invested in something called a drain shovel to deepen the trench I already started. Soil is very sticky clay - when you dig a clump out, no amount of waving the shovel around or banging it on something will detach the wad of clay from the shovel - you have to scrape it off.
How big and heavy is it?
AJH
I guess it weighs about 1.5 tons. It digs a 6" wide by up to 1 metre deep trench though reasonable soils, (but not through rubble & hard core) It is maybe 10 foot overall long by perhaps 3 foot wide, 2 cylinder diesel (Lister if I remember correctly) Photos here :
AWEM
AWEM
The local water company advised 25mm to go with the 15mm meter being installed. As we had previously had flow problems on a 15mm (meter) shared supply , I installed 32mm for the main run (300m) 'T'd to 2 runs of 25mm into the house for the 2 rising mains we have. The flow rate is excellent. For the minor difference in cost, in your situation, I'd go with 25mm. Please reply to group - email address is not monitored Ian
In message , Andrew Mawson writes
Just the job for my GSHP!
I see you didn't need to add any extra ballast to keep the tracks on the ground:-)
Delivery from Sussex to above Watford should not be a problem then.
AJH
In message , snipped-for-privacy@sylva.icuklive.co.uk writes
Quite. Fully fuelled, supplied with operators manual and an on site working demonstration of all safety device compliance:-)
I can tow 2 tons but that has to include the trailer. Apparently VOSA are quite tarty about an all up weight of 3.5 tons needing an *O* licence. Fortunately there is an exemption for 4/4 pickups.
It's not just the load that you have on board at the time that counts, it's also the trailers plated capacity. If you tow a 3.5 ton rated trailer, using (say) a Land Rover also rated up to 3.5 tons then if you don't have the trailer test under your belt they will do you even if the trailer is empty. Sadly I'm of an age where the trailer test isn't needed :(
With the load in question I towed it quite happily for perhaps 100 miles on my Ifor Williams flat bed when I got it.
AWEM
AWEM
In message , Andrew Mawson writes
Me too:-( I don't claim to understand trailer regs. but have latched on to the 4/4 exemption).
Ah! Here to lets say Robertsbridge is 89.2 miles.
O licence necessary for commercial use over 3.5 tonnes, dual purpose vehicles are exempt.
The drivers hours regulations would require a tachograph but agricultural use enjoys an exemption up to 100 km radius of base.
As an operator of the plant I have an exemption of 50km from base but as a delivery I would have to stick a piece of paper in the tacho.
AJH
Mine is 32mm, I asked for large size ... 25mm is standard in my area.
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