My rigid backflush pipe solution

[zimm]

I went with 100' of 2" poly from home depot, a 1' section of 2" clear PVC with a vacuum break hose bib on a 'T', and a 1.5" MIP to slip using a double clamp collar. I need to make some sort of support for the 'T' fitting to prevent the clear hose from sagging. But when backflushing, you sure can see all the **** in the water! I plan to bury the hose going across the yard this weekend. The whole run is downslope so it should self drain.

In retrospect, it would have easier and cheaper to go with 1.5", but bigger is better!

 

[duckhunter27]

Looks good.

 

[zimm]

Thanks. I'm curious to see how the clear PVC hold up in the weather.

 

[CUTiger78]

The hose bib is a vent to allow the pipe to completely drain? Looks good.

I've been tempted to built a lawn waterer for my backwash water. Maybe 20' of PVC from the filter to the yard, then a "T" w/ 20' of PVC on either side of the "T". Cap those lines & drill holes in them along their length to allow the water to spray out. Just a thought....

 

[zimm]

Yes, the hose bib has a built-in vacuum break, so when the pump is turned off, initially the clear hose gets sucked closed, but the vacuum break allows air in and the line drains.

 

[mpnret]

I'm looking at the gray fittings where you have the 2" clear clamped on. Are they sort of like a barbed fitting for holding a hose on? Only difference being that it is actually just one ring or a single barb. If so do you have a source? I have one fitting that is 1-1/2" slip on one side and that type of connection on the other end and I was trying to find some more.

 

[techguy]

Those look like the barbed fittings I used for a flex irrigation pipe project. I only found then in irrigation at Lowes. hD did not sell this product.

 

[zimm]

Don't waste time at the big box store. Here's what I used. http://www.plumbingsupply.com/insertfittings.html

 

[JamesW]

Good call on the vacuum breaker. Most people miss that. They do have vacuum breakers that work automatically. Such as this:

http://www.salcoproducts.com/page/vv34b102a
Or, this

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Oatey-1-1-2- ... /100204205

 

[zimm]

Nice, what I like about those is they look like they'll flow more air than the little hose bib does. It's automatic too, but the clear hose sucks closed for a few seconds.

 

[mpnret]

I use the watts one on my solar panels and it does flow a good amount of air and is quick acting (1psi, I think). I would expect the one built into the hose bib has a much higher psi and flows less air causing the hose to collapse. I would bet the Oatey from HD even flows a bit more. I used the watts one being it is in a critical position up on my roof but for your backwash the Oatey would be fine if you didn't want the hose to collapse. Just spin that on grey connector so the valve mounts vertically and you may also need an adapter for the Oatey.

 

[zimm]

I wanted to follow up and say that the clear hose is still working just great. I never did support it, its been holding up fine by itself. The plastic is getting a little cloudy after being out all winter. I'm guessing I'll get another season or 2 out of it and replace the clear section again.