water line repair - black poly

[ccmnova]

Had a break in a water feed line from the main to a camp from the 50's. Dug up the water line (5 ft down) and it is a black 1/2 inch poly tubing. The locals said it is WWII surplus tubing and some odd size - no fittings will work and no glue will supposedly stick to it.

Pex fittings loosely go in (too loosely) and the OD is slightly smaller than 1/2 inch copper and pex (stuff is thin-wall) - tried a sharkbite but it pulled out.

Brass barbed fittings are tight - too tight but maybe could heat the poly and then force in - not sure if this would work and the space is limited in the deep hole now full of water.

Anyway, wanted to see if anyone has experienced this kind of line and can offer some advice.

 

[johnjh2o]

Hate to say it but you should replace the line. If you have had one failure more may be in your future.

 

[CT18]

I remember when i did in ground sprinklers we used black poly with barbed, the poly had to be heated with a torch to get the fitting in.

 

[frodo]

try a small piece of ac 1/2 copper its 1/2 od instead of 5/8

 

[SHR]

I remember when i did in ground sprinklers we used black poly with barbed, the poly had to be heated with a torch to get the fitting in.

There is your answer. Basic polyethylene water pipe. Use underground sprinkler pipe insert fittings and hose clamps that should be available from any plumbing store. You can use a heat gun or even a propane torch to heat the end of the pipe/tubing in order to insert the fittings.

If you choose to replace more of the pipe, be sure you purchase readily available pipe/tubing labeled "NSF" for potable water.

 

[ccmnova]

Thanks everyone for the help - will take a closer look at it this weekend. The barbed fittings, ss clamps and heating the black poly line to get the fittings on sounds like a plan.