flexible piping

[MRB068]

Anybody have a diy on putting fittings on flexible piping?

[LazyPup]

Depends on what kind of flexible piping your talking about.....

4 inch flexible drainage pipe has fittings that screw in the ends.

If your talking about Roll Poly Pipe you use BARB fittings. Barb fittings have a male end with ridges that goes inside the pipe, then a clamp it put around the outside. (you may have to warm the end of the pipe in a bucket of hot water to get the fittings in tight.)

If you have PEX tubing the code requires the use of metalic barb fittings that are locked in place with a crimp ring. And it is only approved if the lock ring is set with an approved crimping tool.

If your talking about flexible plastic water supply lines on faucetts and toilets, the use the regular compression nut on the valve, but you must use the plastic ferrules instead of the brass ferrules that come with the valves.

[MRB068]

I am using the Roll Poly Pipe with BARB fittings. Is there any tools that that will force the fittings in the pipe?

[LazyPup]

There are no specific tools required, however it can be rather difficult at times, especially if the pipe is cold. If possible you can stick the end of the pipe in a bucket of hot water, or wrap it with a rag and soak the rag with boiling water to warm the pipe a bit.

You can also heat the end of the pipe with a hair dryer but be very careful as not to overheat it or it will distort the pipe.

Some guys coat the male end of the Barb fitting with a very light film of plumbers grease, but i prefer not to do that as it will potentialy cause a problem with keeping the fitting tight once the line pressure is turned on.

When installing barb fittings on cold pipe you have to inspect the pipe carefully after the barb fitting is in to insure the end of the pipe wall did not split out.

Once you have the fitting started into the pipe you can hold the pipe securely in your hand and tap the fitting in place, but you have to be careful not to damage any threads on the fitting, this is expecially critical if you are putting a MIP x barb fitting on the end of the pipe as the male threads are exposed to damage. You could loosely fit a pipe coupling over the male threads while you tap the pipe, then remove the coupling. That will protect the threads.


As a Side note: You did not state what you were using the pipe for. While PE (polyethelene) continuous roll pipe is approved for direct burial underground water service, it is not permitted for distribution within the structure.