Residential Pressure through Quality Plumbing

[Mekanic]

My U-RV is plumbed for higher pressure. I did it all in CPVC. I ran 3/4 main lines. Mine has been tested to over 100PSI.
For higher pressures you can NOT use RV plumbing parts. Shower valves, sink valves, any of it.
on mine i did install a pressure regulator before the RV Toilet.

Many RV toilet valves are sold every year because they blow Easy.

[Ronnie]

Interesting discussion.

I used pex because it is easy to work with and if it gets frozen it does not hurt it.

A note about copper, in the area I am in the water ph is a bit acid. When we built our house the local plumber said NOT to use copper. Why not it is the best we want the best we can. He says the the ph of the water will eat it out in 20 years or so and then we would need to replumb everything. we listened and did cpvc as directed. A few months after we finished our house, my Dad's house next door (where I grow up)with all copper pipeing started leaking. He has been chasing leaks bit by bit ever since, replacing little sections at a time. By the way we have been in our house 23 years now, and recently the bathroom faucet fell apart it corroded from the inside out. It was brass.

[Mekanic]

Originally Posted by Ronnie

Interesting discussion.

I used pex because it is easy to work with and if it gets frozen it does not hurt it.

A note about copper, in the area I am in the water ph is a bit acid. When we built our house the local plumber said NOT to use copper. Why not it is the best we want the best we can. He says the the ph of the water will eat it out in 20 years or so and then we would need to replumb everything. we listened and did cpvc as directed. A few months after we finished our house, my Dad's house next door (where I grow up)with all copper pipeing started leaking. He has been chasing leaks bit by bit ever since, replacing little sections at a time. By the way we have been in our house 23 years now, and recently the bathroom faucet fell apart it corroded from the inside out. It was brass.

I'd bet if you looked close at your dad's house the leaks are at the soldered joints. Its Not the copper that is bad it is the "modern Almost (NO lead) solder"

I really like my CPVC although i did find one thing to keep in mins when doing repairs or modifacations to 20 year old CPVC. You need to careful what method you use to cut it. once it has been in service for a while it no longer likes the pvc cutters. You know the ones that look like a set of pruning shears. my pipes wanted to split lengthwise so i had to revert to the old hacksaw. Worked great.

I like the idea of Pex but dislike the spring loaded fittings. since my Rv sits 10 months of the year i was worried that they would not spring into action and seal up 100% when i need them for one month.

I did winterize mine a little too late in the season one time. I had to replace a 2 feet of of CPVC. The can of glue cost me more than the 4 foot section of pipe and fittings needed.

[somewhereinusa]

What is the spring loaded fitting you talk about? Are you talking about shark bite type fittings? Crimp fittings are much cheaper. None of them require that you keep pressure in them.

[Ronnie]

Actually yes the copper pipes did get pinholes in them and not at the joints. After sawing out a section it was visably thinner from corrosion.

[PatrickBaptist]

Originally Posted by debit.servus

While on hookups, I want to take advantage of the full residential water pressure coming from the tap. I also want quality plumbing to last for decades. Off hookups, I'll need to put a regulator on the consumption, so do I use a smaller diaphram pump or put a regulator fitting after the accumulator?


First off, where does residential & RV park water pressure top out at so I can build for the highest tap pressure I'll encounter + 50 PSI? 150 PSI? 190 PSI? Can copper piping withstand decades of vibrations in a traveling skoolie? What is the typical residential plumbing size? 3/4 inch, 1 inch, other? What is the best plumbing money can buy?

PEX is the best way to go, mine comes in at 3/4" Ts off at the water heater into 1/2" pex for cold water. I use PEX to connect to the parks as well, I don't even bother with a hose. Best stuff you are going to find to use, just make sure it doesn't rub on anything or it will wear a hole in itself, it's almost fool proof but if you don't have the tools there will be a little investment in some. But the line and fittings aren't that expensive.
When it freezes it can double in size and the pipe won't bust, mine has never expanded but I have had it freeze up solid and no damage.