Can I re-use an existing blue alkathene pipe?

Question

Hi,I've got a 55 metre Alkathene water pipe running to an outbuilding....The pipe has never carried water - instead I've "pulled" some CAT5 and alarmremote cables through it (done using two vacuum cleaners, some fishing lineand a ball of cotton wool!).As we are now a "wireless" property, I was wondering if I removed the cablesfrom the pipe caould I re-use it for water to the building. The caveat isthat I used some PTFE cable-pulling lube in the pipe when getting the cablesthrough.What do you think? Can I re-use it - is that PTFE cable-pulling stuff reallytoxic? Should I lay a new pipe?I have the oportunity to lay a new pipe as we are finally having ourgeothermal (heat pump) underground coils laid, and they go pretty muchbetween the two buildings, so I can lay a new pipe in one of the trenches...ThanksMike

Grunff · Accepted Answer

PTFE has very low toxicity. The lubricant will have had an oil base, which may or may not be slightly toxic. If it was me, I'd flush the pipe through with plenty of water (and maybe some detergent) and use it.

jrwalliker · Answer

Isn't there a risk of freezing your water pipe if you share a trenchwith the heat exchanger pipe?John

Ian Stirling · Answer

A ball of cotton (cloth), pushed through with water pressure wouldn't bea bad idea either.

Mike Deblis · Answer

I had thought of pulling a cotton plug through the pipe as I pulled out the cables.

FWIW, the PTFE lube I used was DuPont, "Yellow 77 Lubricant" from Ideal Industries Inc. No mention on the container at all about toxicity, which is why I'm interested....

Thanks

Mike.

Newshound · Answer

It looks pretty benign according to the safety data sheet

Andrew Gabriel · Answer

It doesn't look completely harmless in the Material Safety Data Sheet:

Ian Stirling · Answer

> Water doesn't look completely haremless in its MSDS.

Grunff · Answer

'd say that's pretty harmless - a quick flush through with water and I'd be quite happy to drink out of that pipe.

Dave Liquorice · Answer

I'd keep the handy duct for when you want fibre or a real connection  to the out buildings again. Bung in another pipe you know it makes sense.

David Lang · Answer

Hi MikePTFE is pretty well inert.  For example thread tape and frying pans.Dave

Mary Fisher · Answer

>>So would I.Mary

Can I re-use an existing blue alkathene pipe?

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