This is the standard stuff used around here, 160 PSI and 200 PSI I think. I have some that is existing at my house and it is springing pin-hole leaks every couple of years. What is the deal with that? I would think the stuff should last forever. My supply is only about 55 PSI. I really don't want to replace the whole thing but it is annoying.

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Is the pipe buried? If it is on the surface, it may be getting UV damage. For me, the decision regarding replacement would have a couple big factors. How precious is the water. Here in CT, water damn near grows on trees, but in CO, any leak gets immediate attention. Also, what damage is the leak causing. Are there times when the supply is off, so that a hole in the pipe might allow contaminants in? And of course, how long a run it is.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

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This is a line that goes out to some garden hydrants. These pinhole leaks are literally pinhole. They don't really show up on the water bill. I just step in a spot and get "squish". It is down about 18" - 24" so no freeze or UV damage. That is why I am asking. I just don't see why these tiny leaks would emerge.

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

Replace with a different type of tubing/pipe?

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

About 26 years ago there was a blue polybutelene ( I think) that was approved for domestic water service. After 10 to 20 years in the ground, it, too, developed pinholes. I replaced mine with copper.\Don't know about the black, unless it is a version of polybutelene.

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1982 300SD " Wotan" ..On the road as of Jan 8, 2007 with Historic Tags

Pretty sure the black stuff is polyethylene.

I've never heard of it developing pinholes. Cracks and splits, but never pinholes. Probably just too old. Although, it may have been stretched when installed. Lot of contractors like the black stuff because you can pull it through the ground rather than digging a trench. Someone might have over done it.

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

Not really an uncommon problem, especially with smaller diameter poly pipe (1/2, 3/4) which is relatively thin walled, compounded by the shallow depth. The holes are usually caused by stones/pebbles working against the pipe due to movement from frost or the on/off cycle of the water. We never allow direct burial of any pipe, especially the smaller diameters (under 2"), without sleeving them; it's cheap insurance.

Jim

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2005 C240 4matic wagon (daily driver)
87 190D - 225K (on loan)
85 190D - 312K (on loan)
2011 Subaru Legacy AWD (Wife's)

I've never experienced or heard of the black plastic pipe having any kind of leak problems... (as I reach for a piece of wood, lest my well pipe be leaking when I get home...) But, I've always dealt with 1"+, thick walled pipe. We had a set of sump pump pipes that laid out in the direct sun all year around in Ohio with no noticable damage after probably 20+ years.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

Underground polybutylene pipes can be black, gray or blue. That's probably what you have, and the pinholes will turn into gushers in time. Start saving! Sorry.

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1984 300TD