I'll be putting in my under ground pex this week and since the cost of manufactured insulated pex is out of my reach($$) I came up with the following alternative for 1/2 the cost.
2 1-1/4" pex with foam pipe insulation around each individually, pulled through 4" sch 40 pvc pipe. The 4" PVC will be inside 6" sch 40 PVC. In between the 4" and 6" pipe will be great stuff expnded foam. All this will be laid on top of 12" of gravel, pitch to drain water away to daylight(Gravel is left over from another project). All joints will be glues and I'll also apply some silicon caulk to the outside of the seams of the couplers and such. I'll also cover all piping with a thick mill plastic to get any water down to gravel bed before meeting the PVC. It's a straight 75' shot so only one elbow up to boiler shed.
This is costing me half of buying pre-insulated pipe. It also allows me to pull new lines through the 4" pipe should I ever need to. I'll also pull under ground wire through same 4" pipe for electric + a pull string for future needs.
I'll let everyone know how this worked come spring next year but thoughts are appreciated.
2 1-1/4" pex with foam pipe insulation around each individually, pulled through 4" sch 40 pvc pipe. The 4" PVC will be inside 6" sch 40 PVC. In between the 4" and 6" pipe will be great stuff expnded foam. All this will be laid on top of 12" of gravel, pitch to drain water away to daylight(Gravel is left over from another project). All joints will be glues and I'll also apply some silicon caulk to the outside of the seams of the couplers and such. I'll also cover all piping with a thick mill plastic to get any water down to gravel bed before meeting the PVC. It's a straight 75' shot so only one elbow up to boiler shed.
This is costing me half of buying pre-insulated pipe. It also allows me to pull new lines through the 4" pipe should I ever need to. I'll also pull under ground wire through same 4" pipe for electric + a pull string for future needs.
I'll let everyone know how this worked come spring next year but thoughts are appreciated.