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Jim in NB
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2017 10:31am
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The last project at my place is hooking up the water system for non-drinking water. I have a roof (metal) top collection system - drains thru eavestrough to 4 45 gal drums which are on a rack beside the cabin. I have constructed a tower on which I have six 45 gallon drums. I will be using an eco temp on demand water heater - mounted below the barrels on the tower. The water lines will feed two sinks in the cabin and a shower on the lowest level of the water tower. I roughed in lines when I built the place but they have to be replaced (bought the bad stuff). Anyways I got to day dreaming and thinking that I could possibly use a high quality garden hose to replace the pipes. Any thoughts or expereince? Googled it and could not find anything on it.
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MtnDon
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2017 01:22pm
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A drawback of garden hose is they are not meant to hold pressure for extended periods. However, you do not mention any pump, but do have a water tower. Am I right in thinking the tower height is meant to supply pressure instead of a pump?
If so, I suppose garden hose would do. Though PEX is not all that expensive and if kept away from UV will outlast the cabin most likely.
However, if the pressure is solely supplied by height, that raises another question to me. I must state I do not have an eco-temp, but have read about them. According to mfg specs, 20 PSI pressure is required to operate the burner. With gravity supply that would mean a tower nearly 50 feet tall. Maybe you have a pump and didn't mention it, or maybe your tower is a tall one. Or maybe someone has used theirs with gravity feed and it does work, irregardless of what the specs state. ???
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Atlincabin
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2017 02:02pm
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In my opinion, garden hose would potentially work, but as already noted it is not really good at continuous pressure. I have a piece of very high quality garden hose that I use as an extension on a hose bibb at home. It is under pressure (~40 psi) for several months of the year and over time has expanded. Still holding pressure but only a matter of time before it fails. So, if you have access to the hose to replace it as necessary, it could work.
I would go with either PEX or PVC for a more permanent installation. PEX is supposed to be robust to freezing, whereas PVC tends to split more easily.
With regard to the on-demand water heaters, I use a couple of them with a Shurflo pump providing pressure. They will work at lower than the advertised pressure, but are more prone to turn off suddenly at those lower pressures - not good when taking a shower....
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2017 03:11pm - Edited by: bldginsp
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I used an eccotemp with less than 20 lbs pressure and it did not work. It shut itself off automatically for lack of pressure. I replaced it with a Marey and no problems.
If your lines are not running hot water you can use poly rather than pex. Less expensive, easy to join. Pex is just poly that has been treated to withstand heat.
You will have low water pressure because of the height of your tanks. One way to compensate for that, if you don't use a pump for pressure, is to use larger lines. Basically don't use 1/2". Use 1" for main and 3/4 for branches. If you use 1/2 you may find a trickle at the sinks.
I wonder what the cost comparison is between garden hose and poly/pex.
One thing you didn't talk about is freezing. Will your tanks withstand freezing solid? And it's a good idea to construct the lines so they can easily be drained when you leave.
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2017 04:30pm
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Just a couple of thoughts, I would consider garden hose somewhat dubious because there's really no standards and who knows what's in it that will leach into the water, it is intended for gardens and lawns after all.
The other option though maybe to use RV Drinking Water Hose which is certified for potable water and pretty durable stuff. You can get it at Canadian Tire, Home Depot, etc.... Here's a link to amazon, have a look at those.
https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=sr_nr_n_8/156-6221241-3220012?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A7420845 011%2Ck%3Adrinking+water+hose+for+rv&keywords=drinking+water+hose+for+rv&ie=UTF8&qid= 1487452643&rnid=5264023011&ajr=2
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Asher
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2017 12:35am
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I like your open ideas, but I would have to ask why? A good garden hose is more then likely going to cost more then the same amount of PEX or CPVC. then your not worried about dry rot, sag, and kinking during higher temps.
I went with CPVC (toss up between that or PEX) on my place because a plumber told me that after you include the cost for all the fittings and a high end crimp tool on PEX that CPVC will be cheaper in the end..
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Jim in NB
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2017 06:20am
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Thanks for all the input, advice, etc. Will be putting in new PEX.
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creeky
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2017 12:07pm
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I used Pex. Its real cheap. You can often find part rolls at garage sales. I also got the crimper on sale. And rings are real cheap.
One thing I've gotten into that isn't so cheap is the sharkfit style fittings. but it's nice to be able to pull the lines off your water heater or whatever and then just push back on in the spring/after holidays.
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Steve_S
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2017 12:24pm - Edited by: Steve_S
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Jim, Glad you went with PEX, that is the best choice. Be absolutely certain you get a proper PEX Cutting tool to get perfect clean and square cuts, even the slightest off and you could have issues. Something like the one below is cheap <$10 but be sure to get one with a solid body and not just stamped steel (they twist a bit). I believe that Husky (Home Depot) has one similar with the ring clamp as well for under $25 which makes for a good all-in-one tool.
Sharkbites Rock but for the price, they better, fortunately they do. Watch out for the off brands, might look similar but the quality isn't there.
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creeky
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2017 06:44pm
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If you have access to Princess Auto they have "plastic pipe" cutter that works really well in the Surplus dept. $5
And a ratcheting model for 13 bucks.
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