Water line, iron pipe to PVC

[bucolic_frolic]

So there is an actual leak in the underground water line. Putting a temp putty fix in for the winter, still serviceable.

Leaks at the well fitting, because PVC over brass pitless adapter. I'm thinking it's best to refit with Iron coupling and teflon over brass threads, then PVC threads into Iron coupling, then glue to PVC pipe. There's a PVC elbow after that but it would be more work to refit, and I'd need more digging to make more play in the pipe.

What's leaking is the PVC over brass. It just had a minor issue that grew a little. And I cannot find a PVC coupling that is smooth on one side and female threads on the other, so I'm figuring they fail a lot and either don't make them or won't carry them. The fitting is 25 years old.

Thanks for a quickie on this specific issue, and Happy Holidays!

[Kali]

1. can you take a picture?

I have (way too much) experience with old pipe to PVC though not a lot with brass. brass often has different thread sizes than other pipe, that may be your problem. yes female thread to normal pvc couplings are available - what size?

[bucolic_frolic]

2. It's all 1" pipe

I don't think the 1975 pitless adapter threads were oversized, or just a hair. They are covered here in teflon tape. Turning the fitting on there was very tight, but smooth, and it didn't leak at the time. Now it's sprung and you can see the leak shooting in this pic. The black pipe covering on the left is foam insulation installed for going over a rock upline.

[Kali]

10. prob cracked tightening it on

then the water pressure will cut it open - get at least schedule 40, 80 even better

link went wonky, I just googled "1 inch pvc to female threaded coupling"


in general tape and pvc don't work well together

https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-Female-Thread-Fitting-Adapter/dp/B07M5LH1S6

[bucolic_frolic]

11. Thanks for your help

That's why they use brass to brass. I think the original was a brass fitting to the steel pipe. Brass was so corroded I tossed it. There could be some corrosion on the threaded pitless too.

The brass lasted 20 years. This PVC 25. So I guess I have no complaints!

[Kali]

12. try working on 50 year old galvanized that was probably used when it got put in LOL

saved only due to being on low elevation gravity, never would have handled actual pressure

pvc plumbing is one of the greatest inventions of mankind! up there with baling wire, duct tape, and jb weld.

[bucolic_frolic]

13. I have acid 6.2 water and it just corroded the galv steel pipe to lumps and clogs

Lasted about 15-20 years. First to go was the joints, they didn't bury the threads enough or cut them too long.

[tikka]

3. From the photo it looks like the threaded to PVC fitting is cracked and leaking.

Try looking at Shark bite fittings. They are very versatile and easy to use.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. I've looked at that closely too

I don't think it's cracked, it's a pinhole that grew over time.

Shark Bite for pitless adapter?I looked at them online, they are push to connect and that involves a pvc washer that will be underground forever. I'm thinking glue is better, and takes up less space. Plus they don't mention PVC. Just CPVC.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-in-Push-to-Connect-x-FIP-Brass-Adapter-Fitting-U094LFA/202270502

Thanks

[Hassin Bin Sober]

5. Will this work?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjc08y-u__0AhVnjokEHUZlC_EQFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSupply-Giant-TTDQN300-Transition-One-Piece%2Fdp%2FB016Y8LUMS&usg=AOvVaw1aYA3JENrwIBpIkP3aWe42

[Hassin Bin Sober]

6. Or this?

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/plumbing/pipe-fittings/plastic-fittings/43118?store=14817&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwdPVvrv_9AIVFsmUCR1uZA8qEAQYBCABEgLCjfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[bucolic_frolic]

8. No, need female threads, those I can get at Lowes. /nt

[bucolic_frolic]

7. I need to come off the pitless adapter threads, so no that's opposite, but I think this would:

https://www.amazon.com/Supply-Giant-CSDQG300-Transition-One-Piece/dp/B016Y8TER6/ref=pd_sbs_2/132-1796693-9841634?pd_rd_w=j4riV&pf_rd_p=690958f6-2825-419e-9c16-73ffd4055b65&pf_rd_r=73EK7S9BQCNTK0GB4K6C&pd_rd_r=03242747-4d23-46f1-9b92-2235b3459848&pd_rd_wg=bFPjv&pd_rd_i=B016Y8TER6&psc=1

The original was a steel coupling that pretty much rusted out. The brass would have the added advantage of not needed a pipe wrench. Would brass be strong enough underground for decades?

That says one piece molded. I think I'll check on HomeDepot and Lowes stores and see if they have a brass like that. Teflon tape or one-piece molded seems the same to me - simple connection.

Thanks!

[bucolic_frolic]

9. A double female 1" brass coupling would work too.

Just turn it onto the pitless adapter, then use PVC female on the other end.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-1-in-FIP-Red-Brass-Coupling-Fitting-801849/300096750?MERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-300096750-_-N

But I'm back to a pipe wrench. A hex fitting would be best.

[bucolic_frolic]

14. Patch is in

Cleaned with acetone, sanded, cleaned again, pasted with JB WaterWeld. It gets really sticky after about 8-10 minutes. Not too easy to work with. Surface was a bit wet but not under pressure. I view this as a temp weld to get past the winter. Be nice and easy to dig further and install a new brass adapter and male PVC conversion so it stays inside the joint and doesn't crack. Dry weather an easy project. 32 degrees and muddy not so much.

[william ortiz]

15. The pitless adapter is indeed a very weak link.

The fact that you are having this problem only after 25 years indicates that it really doesn't matter what you do to it, it will still fail. As you have noticed, it's not going to last too long. So my suggestion is to leave the pitless adapter out of the plan altogether. This means you can save more money. I presume you can afford spending a couple of hundred dollars on a new well fitting. More important than the cost of end product is the time that you are going to spend on this project. You already have a new well. I would certainly not want to go back to the same well to fix a part I knew was going to get it soon. So once again, I would leave the pitless adapter out of the plan. I would also avoid using any PVC pipe. These pipes are not meant to withstand constant pressure, and the pressure of water is constant. In your case, the pressure is going to be very low because of the location of the well. So I would use schedule 80 pipe. The fittings you need are not expensive. However, you will need a coupling that is smooth on one side. Iron would be a better idea than brass because it's cheaper and more durable.