How to CONNECT Plumbing on YOUR Side of the Water Meter

The 411 on how your water meter is connected to your water service line using a water meter coupling (aka water meter nipple). Here's the good news: while it may be inconvenient to access, it is easier to disconnect than a soldered joint.
Remember, if there is a leak at the meter connection it may just be a failing gasket.
For reference, here is what was compatible with our water meter:
homedepot.sjv....
Since it is out of stock online (as of 12/18/2020), you might be able to find it in the store or check out Amazon:
amzn.to/348JipU
BUT if you are looking at this from a leak perspective and it is leaking on the side between the coupling and the meter you most likely only need a gasket. If so, you can probably pick up a gasket cheapest at your local plumbing supply--not online.
DISCLAIMER / HONESTY POLICY: The links in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. You are not obligated to do so, but it does fund these videos in hopes of helping you improve your home life and there is no additional charge to you.
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[@dakharding6974]

Exactly what I was looking for, thanks. How come nobody ever installs some type of conduit run underground from the water meter to the hookup inside the house? Seems like it would make life a lot easier years down the road in case the line has to be replaced again for some unknown reason? Just pull some pex through, hookup, done.

[@NoMoreLeaks]

100% agree. Did you find this video after my buried PEX video where I shared that exact same idea: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH3RiYdvmpibgZI --along with the mistake in what size sleeve we chose. I'm glad you found this video helpful and I hope your project goes as well as it can!

[@dakharding6974]

@@NoMoreLeaks Didn't see it, but will check it out. Just bought 50 feet worth of 2" schedule 80 pipe to run a 1" PEX line straight from the sidewalk into the garage. Never understood why it hasn't been something natively installed when homes are built.

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Oh good! Schedule 80. I thought I had previously put a pinned comment in that video on recommending schedule 80 instead of 40. I had not so thanks for your thoughtful reply! The high end homes around here use (a few) schedule 80 conduits for electrical and plumbing. I don't live in a high end home, but we at least had the conduit idea before I had a chance to walk an AFT high end property in the framing phase with the foreman. With the way you think, you'll never have to use your conduit in the future, but it's nice to know it's there. :)

[@ricardorivera3909]

By code it’s called a water meter union 🤷🏿‍♂️ but just a heads up, if something ever goes wrong. Copper,plastic etc. a mix of materials sometimes is not recommended. 1’’ copper should be used from the meter all the way to the building. Copper is a stronger material. You can bury it and be safe to have a driveway.

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Thanks for the clarification for code specific terminology. My goal is to educate people on what the stores and plumbing supply call it because that's the information (perhaps me projecting) people want to know when they are looking at a problem in their yard. When you look at Home Depot or Supply House it is labelled "Water Meter Coupling" (links in description). Our code requires 3' copper whips (at the meter and at the connection where it is outside at the house). Anyone could put a full run of copper, but even new builds in our area have the whips with PEX running in between and throughout the house. No PVC tape to protect the copper from long term exposure to the elements in our soil here which is why I have a full video on our code here and how we protected our copper: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5S5mIZ5q9qJg5I. Our copper only lasted 27 years and is in the process of failing below the house. I am sure code and practices are different throughout the country. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@ricardorivera3909]

@@NoMoreLeaks yes thank you so much because me as a plumber, if the customer is informed. It makes professional repairs faster and affordable. Also it looks as if you know your way around a shop. I would suggest buy nice tools that would make it easier on your self. 👍🏿 keep it up and again, thanks

[@cuz6657]

Very helpful. Thank you!

[@19moods]

Great info. Mine unfortunately is s shaped like an S...or question mark if you will...I was trying to connect it at the bottom...but it won't budge. When I wiggle it, it turns with the entire meter against the copper pipe going to our house. But when I try turning it, it won't budge.

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Oh no. I haven't worked with that kind before. I wish there was a way to share a photo in comments. Did you figure out a way to get it to move?

[@19moods]

@NoMoreLeaks so I learned it's S shaped and goes down like that so it can be the 18 inches to 2 feet required below ground. They used soft copper l. So I think they heated it up to shape it. They want it to be 3 feet of copper coming off the connecrion here. Since I could not budge the botttom, I unscrewed the connection at the top "temporarily" and bent thebdidt copper enough so that I could attach threaded ovc to it. Since my meter says it's 1 inch, I had to get a 1.25 inch connection. Then another piece to convert it to 3/4 inch, and then a hose adaptor. I bought a 500 psi 3/4 inch hose. There was nit enough room left to attach the hose. So after Another trip to the hardware store, I got a 1 inch to 3/4 elbow shaped adaptor that I stuck the hose adaptor to. Finally connected the hose to it after i got male connections for it...got the necessary pieces to attach the hose to the end connecting to the house, and Temporary fix! I was able to shower, wash dishes, laundry. Just a small drip type of leak, but beats 5k gallons in half a day. We just don't use it to drink water, even filtered, because the water smells too much like the hose.

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Oh no! That sounds like a project and a half! We have that 3' copper whip requirement on both ends of our run too. Glad you got something temporary and hopefully by now you have a permanent fix!

[@ironjohn5914]

I put in my own well in the city and I maintain my own water and pressure, no monthly water bills.......😂

[@peterskowronski5974]

Great info, exactly what I needed.

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Glad to hear it was helpful. I hope your project goes well!

[@georgeslade4696]

Thanks for the video. I'm a new subscriber now. So, is 3/4 inch the typical size coming off the meter on the homeowner's side?

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Thanks for the support! I'm not a plumber so my thoughts are worth the price charged 😉, but my 80's house has 3/4" incoming. The homes in the newer neighborhood next door have 1". Current code requires sprinkler systems and those houses have those as well, which is my guess why the size is larger. Some older homes have 1/2". It really depends on the age or if improvements are made.

[@tripol3jjj309]

Galing naman sir.. salamat

[@stevenneuberger4323]

Where in the the code does it require a three foot copper whip at both ends? I couldn't find it in the 2018 IPC.

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Our local city code requires this-- I don't see it in the IPC either. We talked to our friend who is an plumbing apprentice, our neighbor who does commercial inspections, and the city compliance officer (in that order). Some places only require it on the house side and some may not specify anything at all. So I should have said "our local code" and it's a good idea to verify locally as well. I hope your project goes well!

[@stevenneuberger4323]

@@NoMoreLeaks Thanks for your reply. I don't see anything in the local (Tucson, AZ) code amendments either. I really don't like buried connections so it is going to be PEX end to end on my project.

[@fernandomatos8814]

Hi Margaret, I’ve been going crazy trying to figure out which water meter coupling size I need for my Phyn plus. My home has a 1” pipe coming from the meter which is what I’ll be attaching the Phyn plus to. Which size coupling do I need. I see you mentioned 3/4” but is that connecting to a 3/4” pipe in the home? Pleaseeee help

[@NoMoreLeaks]

You'll have to size down to Phyn. No matter what you'll need a 3/4" connection using one of these 4 unions (depending on if you have PEX or copper): www.phyn.com/help/plumbing-unions-and-propex-parts-for-installing-your-phyn-plus/ and then use two reducer couplings to go from 1" to the 3/4" and then back up to 1" again. Supplyhouse has the straight and elbow Uponor PEX couplings with the SKU Phyn provided in that article. As for the copper version, you can find the Uponor brand somewhere, but it is the same as a water meter coupling: www.supplyhouse.com/Jones-Stephens-M20075-3-4-Water-Meter-Coupling. Please let me know if that isn't clear or you have any other questions.

[@AlessioSangalli]

Actually I wanna know about the meter connection because I would like to preemptively replace the existing 130ft line that is more then 40 years old... Even if - so far - it has not given me any trouble.🤠

[@NoMoreLeaks]

👍Peace of mind is definitely worth something!

[@gruntaldrete2933]

Where can I get that connection

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Check out the description. I included a couple different online options since it isn't stocked and readily available in a big box store. You can also find them at your local plumbing supply. Best of luck on your project!

[@fixman.persian]

thanks its so useful

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Glad it helped! Good luck!

[@rhettwallace50]

Cleaner plumbing than "the plumber"

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Thanks! I passed your kudos on to my husband. He's much improved since the first time he replaced the main water riser to the house 6 years ago. The @got2learn channel is invaluable for soldering tips: kzbin.info/aero/PLLEVGyi2B-caiXZtuTw6LQGJznIkXk2Hy

[@ricardorivera3909]

You may have had a bad experience with a cheap plumber. I’m a plumber 😀

[@FirstNameLastName-okayyoutube]

Beginning of the video is wrong. I am proactively going to update the pipes

[@waltercastro2015]

That is exactly what I fixed in my house meter coupling. I took it off went to HD no found. until 🤦‍♂️I realized there is a gasket. 😑. I do see a small leak super small stream coming out from their shut valve and connects to the meter. Does that belong to them?

[@NoMoreLeaks]

The pesky gasket! 😂 The one we took off was pretty smashed and was blocking a good amount into the plumbing. If you see a leak on the city side definitely give them a call. That video of the specialized tool which crimps and de-crimps the copper plumbing was the city service people who came out after we completed work on our side of the line. While we didn't have a leak on the outside, the shutoff wouldn't turn off all the way so they replaced it. Let me know if I didn't quite address your question.

[@genevatungate1006]

NOT code in my jurisdiction!

[@tucsonirrigation]

Nice

[@paulamurley6088]

I loved your video teach me please!!

[@twbrkfd1733]

Too much cutting and pasting of video with short 2 sec bits! Frustrating to watch.

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Thanks for the feedback. Hope you still got the information you needed or you found a better video.

[@ericbevan6542]

811 won't mark anything on your property in AZ only from meter to road

[@NoMoreLeaks]

Cox came out and marked all the way to the house--the kids played with the flags for at least a year afterwards. My husband talked to the gentleman marking our water and electrical. During their discussion the copper whip on the meter side of the water main got marked, but he couldn't follow C-PVC with no tracer wire (which is why we added a tracer wire and the warning tape 12" below grade when we ran our new PEX line). I don't recall if my husband had an cool can of coke or bottle of water in his hand at the time. 😉 It probably depends on weather and how late in the day it is too. YMMV. But any general idea / warning, is better than none!

[@stevenneuberger4323]

In Tucson, AZ 811 doesn't mark anything at all. They contact about seven agencies ( e.g. Electric, Sewer, Cox Internet, Gas). In my case, the only company who had anything to mark was the gas company which did mark the pipe on my property between the meter and main line. It is true; however, that they don't trace or mark anything belonging to the property owner such as water service lines or sewer lines.

[@elizabethhargrove7549]

That's because they don't know. They only know how the water lines are run to the meter. Private lines could be anywhere in the yard.