Is hose barb one way?

duet12 · May 9, 2011

Hi, I DIY water softener myself and have a question.

The drain water out of water softener is through a barb head with a hose. The hose is supposed to drain the water to a waste drain pan. I have a pre-plumb copper pipe which is connected to drain pan. So I am trying to hook the hose to the copper pipe.

To connect the hose to copper pipe, I again use a barb head. So now the hose has two barb heads on the two sides, one side out of water softener, the other side is to drain copper pipe.

I found out later, the hose is always full of water. I am afraid that the barb head is only one way, so the water can't actually drain to the copper pipe.

Is my worries valid? Is barb head only one-way?

Best
Duet12

Mr_David · May 10, 2011

Not likely. You should be able to look through it. try blowing through it.

speedbump · May 11, 2011

I don't see how your going to hook a barb fitting to copper pipe. Barb fittings are for plastic pipe only. The only thing one way about a barb fitting are the barbs.

duet12 · May 11, 2011

Yes, the hose is plastic pipe.

In order to connect to copper pipe, the copper is hooked up with gatorbite with FPT(Female pipe thread), then a MPT to barb adapter is used. The hose is connected to barb head.

The plastic hose is always full of water which worries me

Mr_David · May 11, 2011

You said the copper was pre plumbed to a waste pan.

Terminology maybe. What happens to the waste water after it goes into the pan. Normally the discharge will go to an indirect connection to the drain system like a sink or laundry stand pipe. If the pre plumbed copper goes into the wall , it may go up and over to this pan. If so,the drain tubing will hold water. When the softner discharges can you see the discharge into the pan? The discharge is under pressure and is normal for the tube to hold water.

Mr_David · May 11, 2011

Off topic side note.

duet12,
I lived in Chandler with my grandparents about 40 yrs ago.
They used to race greyhounds and had a large dog kennel out back.
Closest neighbors were about a 1/4 mile away.
I do NOT miss those hot summers.