Water line easy connection?

Pricestavern · 06-13-2016, 05:21 PM

We have a 1.5" plastic waterline runing from pump under the cabin down into the lake to draw water. Each Fall we need to disconnect the lower end just above waterline to drain the hose for winter. Each spring we need to reconnect the two halves.
What are the best options for an easy on/off connection? It's not a rigid pipe and there is a little flex. We tried a plastic 'Quik Connect' fitting but it leaks when the pipe flexes. We tried a threaded, galvonized connector but that ended up frozen (rust?) and I had to cut it out in the fall.

Is the metal Quik Connect going to take the slight pipe flex? Is there another option?

Thanks,
Rich

SteveO123 · 06-13-2016, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pricestavern

We have a 1.5" plastic waterline runing from pump under the cabin down into the lake to draw water. Each Fall we need to disconnect the lower end just above waterline to drain the hose for winter. Each spring we need to reconnect the two halves.
What are the best options for an easy on/off connection? It's not a rigid pipe and there is a little flex. We tried a plastic 'Quik Connect' fitting but it leaks when the pipe flexes. We tried a threaded, galvonized connector but that ended up frozen (rust?) and I had to cut it out in the fall.

Is the metal Quik Connect going to take the slight pipe flex? Is there another option?

Thanks,
Rich

I've used PVC sleeves that allow the butt ends to be joined. Slip the sleeve completely up one side of the pipe then slide it over the other. Tighten and you're good!

Compression coupler on this page...

Good luck!
Steve

Slickcraft · 06-14-2016, 05:45 AM

We have a simple drain valve just above the waterline. Open in fall, close in spring.

Descant · 06-14-2016, 08:01 AM

Some people have an air pump that they attach to the valve and blow air back through the system to get all the water out when shutting down for the winter. Others do the same but fill the system with non-toxic antifreeze. Before all that, we designed the house and plumbing so we could just open a couple of valves and drain everything. No air pump, no antifreeze. Only an occasional spring fix since 1960 where a pipe sagged and didn't drain completely.

LIforrelaxin · 06-14-2016, 09:48 AM

Many people have used cam locks for quick connections on water lines...And I plan to do so when I eventually replace my current water line.

However currently I used standard Barb coupling fitting.... with a couple of clamps. The Secret to using these is to have a source of heat, to warm the pipe some when connecting and tightening the clamp.... I have been doing this now for I think 4 years, with out any problems.... (My house sprung several leaks which had to be mended....age, and wear on the rocks.....) ...

One of the better decisions I made was going back to drawing water from the lake, instead of sharing a well with a neighbor who was kind enough to offer the option to me... But well in the end I liked to open in the spring, and close in the fall far earlier and later then the neighbor was comfortable with, and it was their well after all...............

I have found that a well is nice, but it doesn't do anything to make my season longer or shorter... so I can't justify the cost of putting a well in, for my families seasonal camp.....

AC2717 · 06-14-2016, 11:48 AM

PVC union- cement each side to each side of the pipe twist the nut to join them together done

Kamper · 06-15-2016, 05:34 AM

You can probably swap the galvanized fitting for brass or plastic.

06-13-2016, 05:21 PM	#1
Pricestavern Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Valencia, Spain (formerly Rattlesnake Isle) Posts: 389 Thanks: 135 Thanked 142 Times in 82 Posts	Water line easy connection? We have a 1.5" plastic waterline runing from pump under the cabin down into the lake to draw water. Each Fall we need to disconnect the lower end just above waterline to drain the hose for winter. Each spring we need to reconnect the two halves. What are the best options for an easy on/off connection? It's not a rigid pipe and there is a little flex. We tried a plastic 'Quik Connect' fitting but it leaks when the pipe flexes. We tried a threaded, galvonized connector but that ended up frozen (rust?) and I had to cut it out in the fall. Is the metal Quik Connect going to take the slight pipe flex? Is there another option? Thanks, Rich

06-14-2016, 08:01 AM	#4
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,352 Thanks: 1,342 Thanked 1,623 Times in 1,055 Posts	Winterizing Some people have an air pump that they attach to the valve and blow air back through the system to get all the water out when shutting down for the winter. Others do the same but fill the system with non-toxic antifreeze. Before all that, we designed the house and plumbing so we could just open a couple of valves and drain everything. No air pump, no antifreeze. Only an occasional spring fix since 1960 where a pipe sagged and didn't drain completely.

06-14-2016, 09:48 AM	#5
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,871 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	Many people have used cam locks for quick connections on water lines...And I plan to do so when I eventually replace my current water line. However currently I used standard Barb coupling fitting.... with a couple of clamps. The Secret to using these is to have a source of heat, to warm the pipe some when connecting and tightening the clamp.... I have been doing this now for I think 4 years, with out any problems.... (My house sprung several leaks which had to be mended....age, and wear on the rocks.....) ... One of the better decisions I made was going back to drawing water from the lake, instead of sharing a well with a neighbor who was kind enough to offer the option to me... But well in the end I liked to open in the spring, and close in the fall far earlier and later then the neighbor was comfortable with, and it was their well after all............... I have found that a well is nice, but it doesn't do anything to make my season longer or shorter... so I can't justify the cost of putting a well in, for my families seasonal camp..... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

06-14-2016, 11:48 AM	#6
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,574 Thanks: 753 Thanked 354 Times in 266 Posts	PVC union- cement each side to each side of the pipe twist the nut to join them together done __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

06-14-2016, 05:45 AM	#3
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,299 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,082 Times in 954 Posts	We have a simple drain valve just above the waterline. Open in fall, close in spring.

06-15-2016, 05:34 AM	#7
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,306 Thanks: 67 Thanked 171 Times in 127 Posts	You can probably swap the galvanized fitting for brass or plastic.