The water line from the meter to service connection to my meter is leaking. My house is about 25 years old and has the blue water line that they were using at that time ( Isobutylene?)
Anyway, I have to replace it. I have some CODE questions.
Is it illegal for a home owner to repair his own plumbing?
Is a permit required? ( If a pipe breaks in the house I can repair w/o a permit, so why not this repair)
What materials are code correct for water service?
I know copper is, but it is spendy.
Must I use tubing ( either plastic or copper) or can I use pipe?
Is PVC or CPVC rated for ground contact?
Anything else I need to know?

Thanks,
Michael

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

Most of your questions depend on local codes.

A generic answer is not possible.

Around here, they still insist on 3/4" K copper for the line. But, other localities may be different.

Usually, the water authority dictates the requirements...........and performs an inspection prior to backfill to ensure proper depth...........or they won't connect to the meter.

Whether you can do your own plumbing work depends on your local code. Denver forbids homeowners from even changing out a toilet.
I believe all underground copper solder joints need silver solder unless I'm way out of date in my code understanding. I'd use soft copper to avoid any underground joints.
When I had this done on a rental, they dug a hole at the meter in the street, went into the basement and then drilled through the dirt with a homemade bit made out of pipe. When the drill went into the hole in the street, they attached the copper in the basement to the bit, then pulled the copper underground into the hole. (maybe vice versa on direction). The drill was one inch galvanized pipe with a homemade bit on the end and a water hose attached at the back which fed thru the bit and flushed out the debris into the basement. Used a half inch electric drill to spin it. (can't remember how it attached). Could easily have been turned by hand given the soil in our neighborhood. Took about 2 hrs for the whole job. They dug the hole inthe street with a backhoe. Distance was about 30-40 ft.
You could also dig down and repair the existing pipe. I've seen that done.
Don't know what the code is on materials. Everyone around here uses copper tubing as far as I know. City has a lot of lead in the mains. Joint has to be made between the lead and the copper. Farmer's union??

Mine was 1" copper. Inspector did have to look at joint in street before they backfilled. About $2500 as I recall about 8 yrs ago. Good enough money for 2 hrs work that I wondered if I should become a plumber. It involved the plumber, his backhoe operator and two hired hands with shovels. I watched the plumber pay the hired hands about $50 for their work when the job was done.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Thanks, guys

Harford County has adopted the new national code for plumbing.
I know copper is not required, but I don't know what materials are approved.
I am already hooked up to the water main, so that is not a problem; the connection will be made on my side of the water valve at the edge of the county Right of Way.

I am inclined to the philosophy that it is easier to apologize than to get permission--especially with government types who have been given petty authority.
I do have the proper wrench for opening the water valve vault cover, and turning the water valve so I will cause no damage to the water system.

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

If you can shutoff the water at the meter and perform your work downstream...........and get it all completed before some DB neighbor calls them..........you're way ahead of the curve.

In some Muni's they will cover the water line to the meter, call the water supplier and ask.

Where exactly is the leak again?

The leak is the entire line from the valve to the meter, buried in my front yard. It was done when they used a vinyl ( Code-Approved) material that subsequent testing showed that it deteriorated in contact with the ground over time.
I have been told that my Home owner's insurance might cover it. But then also warned that my Home owner's insurance might cancel me if I filed the claim.

PS, AFAIK, all of my neighbors are OK. This might be the test!

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

Who said they will cancel you if you file a claim?

did you ask the Muni if they will replace it? sometimes they do el freebo.

How obvious is the leak? Can you find it and just splice a new section in? I had a line that was installed back in the 1970's some kind of black plastic. I was able to repair a couple of leaks, but the last one could not be found, no water on the surface. So, I had to replace the whole line. All 400 feet. The water company's response was, "it's on your side of the meter, it your responsibility." In one day, a friend and I trenched a new line, I used PVC due to cost. No permit, just get in and get out. I'm on a dead end road which help with keeping a low profile.

Thanks all.

I am being advised that a liscensed plumber is absolutely required....or else.

I hope to save some $$$ by digging the trench.

Thanks, again.

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

Get a quote before you start digging. You might find that you don't save that much compared to the work it will take you. Similar to tearing off your own roof to save money, a lot of work but it doesn't lower the bill that much.

Mike

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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

make damn sure you get a locate before you dig.those fiberoptic cables will break you if you hit one.

Renting a DitchWitch would make the trenching fly.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I was going to comment but it looks like this has been thoroughly covered.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.