What size pipe from meter to house??

[Anonymous]

I have to replace the pipe from the meter to house since its currently steel and 42 years old. The county said I need to use copper. .

The meter to the house distance is 72 feet, the meter is sized for 3/4" fittings, the current pipe is also 3/4", and the house has been recently piped all in 3/4" copper. Water presure is 44 PSI at the entrance to the house. I did get to see the inside of the steel pie and its internal size has been reduced a lot by gunk all in side.

A plumber at the parts counter said to use 1". He could not explain why it would work better, but said he had done this before for his company many times. Another jumped in and said it had to do with sidewall resistence. I find it would be harder for the water to push from 3/4" to 1" then back down to 3/4" when it enters the house.

The question is what size pipe should I use for the best flow and pressure? I will be using 20' lengths of copper.

By the way. If a 1" or larger pipe is required should the house have been plumbed with the same for best performance.

Thanks for your help,

Tom

[Wgoodrich]

The supply line is sized by the load applied much like electricity is done. Depends on how many and what type outlets you have in your home. List all types of faucets, hose bibs, etc. in your home then we can size the minimum size required to serve your home as your water supply line.

The answers you have been getting sounds like they are by the seat of the pants, experience guesses. The supply line is supposed to be sized by the number and type of faucet outlets etc. Don't forget to name washers, dishwashers etc. also.

Then we can calculate the pipe size you require.

Good Luck

Wg

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your quick reply. I have the following,

5 hose bibs
1 washer
2 vanity sinks
1 kitchen sink
I dishwasher
2 showers.
2 toilets

I will be adding two hose bibs, not that I use them at the same time but are for convienence (don't like dragging a long hose around). The bibs will be along the existing pipe run if that makes a difference.

I hope this is the correct information.

Tom

[Wgoodrich]

YOU SAID; 75 FEET METER FITTING SIZE 3/4" @ 44 psi;
5 hose bibs
1 washer
2 vanity sinks
1 kitchen sink
I dishwasher
2 showers.
2 toilets

Chart 2903.7 IRC
The maximum plumbing units allowed with the meter, fittings, pressure, distance using 3/4" supply line to your house would allow

8.5 plumbing units.

Chart P2903.6 IRC 1.4 per bath group, 1.4 washer, 2.5 kitchen group, 2.5 hose bibs totalling 7.8 total plumbing units.

You are allowed a maximum of 8.5 plumbing units, you have with one hose bib total 7.8 plubing units.

As long as you are not using a sprinkle system you are within minimum supply line size using 3/4" as you discribed. However if you plan on running more than one hose bib or have a sprinkler system then you need the 1" supply line to the house.

Remember just one short piece of pipe reducing smaller than the rest of the pipe limits that pipe supply rating to the smallest fitting in your system. Also understand that the feeder along the street while serving more than one house also is calculated in a different manner giving diversification of not all house using all fixtures at same timel. Don't worry about what the Utility supplies you and your supply line being bigger. This is not uncommon.

Hope this helps

Wg

[Anonymous]

You can get your 1'' copper (K) in soft rolled . This will allow to have a continous piece without joints. which could be potential problems in the future.

[Anonymous]

A plumber at the parts counter sugested to use a roll of copper in order to avoid joints and the pressure drop they cause.

When you say problems do you mean from improper soldered joints causing a problem? I read on the copper asosiation site that a joint that wasn't debured could cause a sort of small eddy (disrupt flow) and cause corrosion in the pipe to a point of failure.

Tom

[Wgoodrich]

The bur is supposed to be removed for that reason.

Wg