HELP ME with this pipe size...

**TURBOSCHILZ** · 05-23-2011, 08:14 AM

Hey fellas, I'm new to the site and have an issue that I could REALLY use some help with. I've recently purchased a home and it has an older sprinkler system, probably 80's I'm guessing. I've gotten the system into 100% working order, the only problem is that there are 3 lines that need repairs from getting whacked with a spade shovel or something, but I've cut out the small sections as I normally would, and normally I'd stick in a 3/4" male/male adapter with a couple hose clamps, at least that's what I've always done in the past. The problem is, the 3/4" adapters just don't fit properly, they're just a tiny bit loose, which is causing them to still leak a little, I've tried gluing them in with no luck, yet the pipe seems to be about the exact same size that you'd find in Home Depot (3/4"), is it a thin wall pipe or something? What is the best way to patch these up and have a long lasting repair that I won't have to worry about, of course short of replacing the entire lines?...lol Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Thank you fellas....

**LLigetfa** · 05-23-2011, 08:25 AM

I asume you are talking about poly pipe. I have never seen a male/male barb fitting that could be inserted without first heating up the poly to expand it. Pipe is normaly spec'd by the ID, not the OD so the thickness of the wall should not be a factor.

Are you sure you are using the right barb fitting?

**DonL** · 05-23-2011, 08:45 AM

Welcome to Terry's Forums TURBOSCHILZ

If it is not poly pipe then it may be CPVC and would need the correct CPVC fittings.

The OD is a little smaller on the CPVC and many PVC adapters will not fit tight enough.

Good Luck on your project.

Have a great day.

DonL

**TURBOSCHILZ** · 05-23-2011, 08:51 AM

Oh alright, that is a definite probability then, is CPVC a common item, would finding peices for it be simple?... Otherwise, other than the minor size difference, it's black, you can tell that it came off a roll, just like what's in Home Depot, but once again, not a pro, so really have no clue...lol So should I be using like a butt type connector and gluing them together?...

**LLigetfa** · 05-23-2011, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by DonL

If it is not poly pipe then it may be CPVC and would need the correct CPVC fittings.

I don't use CPVC but my understanding is that it is normally joined with female/female couplers and glue, not hose clamps. In that case OD certainly is a factor.

TURBO,
What colour is the pipe? Is it rigid or flex?

OK, I just reread your reply above and it does sound like poly pipe. Poly pipe should be joined with male/male barb fittings and four hose clamps, two on each side each 180 degrees from the other. Are you sure you and using barb fittings made specifically for poly?

**Gary Swart** · 05-23-2011, 10:52 AM

I seriously doubt that the pipe is CPVC. CPVC is normally used inside the house. I've never heard of it used for irrigation purposes, but of course anything is possibe. Besides all of that, trying to connect ridge CPVC or PVC with clamps? I don't think so. The suggestion that you have poly pipe is almost certainly correct, and you're just not patching it right.

**DonL** · 05-23-2011, 11:58 AM

Around here they use CPVC everywhere, but mostly PVC for underground.

I would think that the connectors trying to be used are the wrong size or type.

Should be poly barb fittings ,and not garden hose repair couplers.

New ones should be easy to find.

DonL

**TURBOSCHILZ** · 05-23-2011, 12:14 PM

I am using poly barb fittings, they are the gray 3/4", but are just barely too small that the water leaks around them, they slide in and out quite easily, I've clamped them, I've tried gluing them, but no luck... I'm thinking I need like a 13/16" barb fitting, do they make such a thing?...

**DonL** · 05-23-2011, 12:27 PM

I believe the correct ones will be black, Grey are normally used for vinyl hoses.

But I guess they could be any color.

Like LLigetfa said they will be a tight fit.

DonL

P.S. About any size could be had, But ID is 3/4 for the correct one. Outside may be 13/16. Could also be metric.

**TURBOSCHILZ** · 05-23-2011, 12:38 PM

Ya I've repaired many of them in the past, and they're always a really tight fit, I've had to heat them up or pound them in with a hammer in the past...lol Not sure why they fit so loosely on these pipes, the pipes have to be some weird off size, it's driving me crazy...lol Like I said, I'm thinking that the OD is the same, but I think that they have a thinner wall to them which is giving them a larger ID, that's why my barbs aren't fitting it... At least that's what I think is going on...lol

**DonL** · 05-23-2011, 12:47 PM

I would take a piece of the pipe to the local hardware store and let them fix you up.

Nowadays things are metric and there is no direct conversion, that matches perfect.

Sounds like you are on the right track.

Have a great day.

DonL

hj · 05-23-2011, 07:04 PM

If it is black it is poly, NOT PVC or CPVC. You need the proper sized insertable barbed connectors and hose clamps to seal them.

**DonL** · 05-23-2011, 08:15 PM

10-4 hj.

Simple fix to use the proper connections, for the proper type pipe.

DonL

**TURBOSCHILZ** · 05-24-2011, 05:59 AM

I took in a chunk to the hardware store, no luck as of yet... Even though it appears to be standard 3/4" poly, it obviously is not... We took some calipers to it, standard 3/4" came in at JUST under 1" OD, this guy came it at just over 1" OD... Pretty frickin weird...lol Anyone ever heard of a 13/16" barb fitting?...lol Any other ideas?...