What to Use To Tie onto a Water Meter

[@jlaskowski1016]

Using a bushing to increase the thickness...genius! Thank you!

[@rustyshackleford4259]

Thanks for the help,sitting in lowes parking lot watching your video 😆

[@JesseWright68]

Just what I needed to know to install a temporary spigot after having the city move the meter. Thanks!

[@AmericanIrrigator]

You are welcome. Glad this helped.

[@KA-sk6pw]

thanks , about to tie into my city meter, and that is exactly what i will do with the reducer. thanks

[@AmericanIrrigator]

You bet!

[@howardb1922]

Well done ! Excellent presentation ! Thanks

[@jeffreytull5767]

If I'm tying into a new water meter for my mountain property, is there an advantage to slip vs. threaded? I know the slip can be primed and glued but for a simple water line to a tiny cabin, is there really a difference? I appreciate the straightforward info. Exactly what I needed.

[@johnlloyd1643]

What we like to use is a brass threaded coupler and then use a schedule 80 male adapter. For some reason we have always had issues with the threaded schedule 40 and 80 coupling to a non plastic fitting. Like a plastic fitting to non plastic on a quick coupler we've had almost zero issues using schedule 40 swing assembly. But I do like the reducer bushing idea looks like it would work even in moderately high pressure situation. And the biggest expense is the go back, if you need to go back so spending the extra money on the fittings is no big deal it's way more expensive to pull someone from another project to send them out to redo work you can't bill for profit killer.

[@stevergee]

Nice! I am a DIY guy and I need to hook into to the water main connection for my house. The well is running dry and we need to tap into the water company now before it freezes come winter.

[@AmericanIrrigator]

I hope this information helps you. Make sure you install a backflow prevention device on the irrigation system. I have a few videos on what we typically use. But make sure you check with your local authorities and codes. Good luck. Sorry to hear about your well.

[@stevergee]

@@AmericanIrrigator Not an irrigation system, water to supply the house itself

[@vidalgarcia8580]

Very good video, answered all my questions and informative. Saved me time. Thank you

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Glad I could help!

[@besprend27]

😂there is really no other way that you have not already said... Bravo..! I learned something.

[@azmendozafamily]

Most plumbing codes call for threaded connections to be made on Schedule 80 pipe, so I've always used Sch80 fittings

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Great tip! Thanks for the info.

[@smg5960]

Can you make a video on how to tie into an existing water main right behind the meter? Thanks for your help!

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Sure thing! Next time we are installing a system that we are doing that, I'll shoot some video. Thanks.

[@buschg7106]

Thanks for taking the time Good info

[@AmericanIrrigator]

You’re welcome

[@cesarmunico7878]

Good and helpful explanation. Great tutorial. Thanks.

[@henokB]

Last time we tied into a 1.5 meter the female adapter ended up cracking a few says later. The customer called saying there was a large hole in his yard. I too started using bushings when ever I tie into a metal pipe because of the same reason. Peope I have seen use female adapters seem to have best sucess when they put solvent on the teflon. Since you cannot tighten it that much the sovent seems to prevent leaks.

[@AmericanIrrigator]

That is a good tip with the solvent. I have had to learn the hard way on a few tie ins myself. And sometimes weird things just happen. You can do everything right and it still mess up on you.

[@Spran.]

@@AmericanIrrigator can’t you use Teflon and pipe dope together?

[@Rextrent]

We've used a brass female thread to avoid the problem of the pvc female thread cracking. However, I've had problems with 1" pvc male adapters cracking at the thread. Maybe that's why you seem determined to use a pvc female thread to connect with, because you can thicken it up using a bushing with a slip over it, or the sch 80 fitting. Now I'm rethinking the repair I'm going to make to the tie-on area up-ell which holds the PVB.. Thanks for taking the time to make the video.

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Yes, I have tried several different ways to do it and sometimes depending on the particular job and set up, I will use this method or something else. I like this way and have had good luck with it. But that's not to say another way will not work. The main thing is to not over tighten and use the right amount of teflon tape or what ever sealing material you like to use. I know you have already done your repair, but in the future it might be a good idea to tie in to the brass fittings this way and then have a space between the mete tie in and the ell up to the PVB. That way the weight of the PVB will not be on the threaded tie in part. If you have room to do that. Just a thought. Good luck out there.

[@TheNimshew]

We(us plumbers) used to take a schedule 80 nipple, cut it in half. Makes two strong male adapters. Worked perfectly. The thread was twice as thick and less prone to crack. Just added a coupling. Well, after a few years the fitting makers realized no one was buying sch. 40 male adapters and the 6" sch. 80 nipples were selling like hotcakes. Maybe it's completely innocent, but... Now, the schedule 80 nipples O.D. is smaller than sch. 80 and sch. 40 pipe O.D. Which means you can't use it as a male adapter now! It's too loose in the fitting.

[@jimrylander9143]

I would suggest buying a ball valve meter coupling that attaches to meter. Always have extra meter gaskets. Ford,Jones, Mueller etc… make them.

[@jamesrosa6568]

Not sure if it’s been asked or not but could you shoot some video of doing a tap on a residential property? I’ve been in the service part of irrigation since 2015, I installed the system at my parents house as practice, the water utility already had a tee installed when I did mine. Going to start bidding installs next year and would like to get the hang of it to be more confident in my abilities. Love the channel!

[@AmericanIrrigator]

I can do that. The next one I do, I'll shoot a video and put it up for ya. One thing is for sure, you can learn this stuff and be confident in your ability. It does take time and you will make a few mistakes. But mistakes can be fixed and we can learn from them. I know I have. Hang in there and work hard. Thanks for the comment.

[@amaurymercado8795]

Thanks for sharing this detailed video. Very informative.

[@AmericanIrrigator]

You are welcome.

[@williammcpherson6086]

We like using the banded sch 80 female adapter. 2 sch 40 is good suggestion thx

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Good idea.Thanks

[@tonyw9429]

Thanks for the great idea, I’ve done a lot of interior plumbing and have certainly seen plenty of cracked fittings from being over tightened, so the problem is real! Most of us will use Teflon tape on the threads first, then slop pipe dope over the Teflon as double insurance, an even better alternative to pipe dope is blue “Leak Lock” that we use for high pressure refrigerant threads and fittings. You have me thinking if a little is good then more is even better with your tip, I’m getting ready to tie into my new meter this week and will do your same 3 piece way but with schedule 80 parts instead of the schedule 40 you’re showing, we can call it schedule 160 lol. I’m not looking to save a couple bucks over problem free longevity on my own personal stuff.

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Schedule 160.lol. I like it. I have seen some guys use both teflon and pipe dope before. I've tried it a few times but seem to always go back to just teflon tape. Over tightening is one of the biggest problems I see and face when training guys too. And I have been guilty of it. Sometimes it seems like a fine line, but I think if we are just careful and mindful of it, we will avoid it. Hope thing went well for you.

[@jeremyv2498]

Use a Spears 435-010SR or a threaded adapter with a hose clamp around the plastic

[@honkychiefton9933]

Pretty damn slick

[@13CDallas]

Kelly, Can i increase my flow to my home (300') run from water meter. the meter is a 5/8 input to the meter 3/4 coming out. Can i just swap the out flow 3/4 to a 2" pipe run to the house and improve the flow to my home?

[@jamesnduta9485]

Am loving this

[@19moods]

Can I do the stronger setup you suggested, woth schedule 80 parts? For overkill. :-)

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Yes

[@19moods]

One more question! LoL.. Connecting to the water meter.... can I split it so that if I ever have an issue again with the water main... I can open expose the meter and I have an option to temporarily connect to the second connection...like a strong hose above ground?

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Yes, absolutely

[@jotu173]

If you use the reducer like you say, what you have at least a little bit of a reduced water flow because of the reducer?

[@AmericanIrrigator]

No. this will cause no water restriction. The reducer is actually a size up bigger, then it will reduce back to the size that we need.

[@fixman.persian]

fantastic post

[@migueltolentino6731]

you are very good!!! thank you for the videos

[@dubs3400]

Thanks for the advice!

[@denniskazich7559]

If there's any place fitting should be over killed is at this transition point. The female fitting will definitely crack if it a regular schedule 40 and not tightened correctly. Using this beefed up fitting is the way to go. Great suggestion to the novice.

[@jerrynonofbss2588]

That brass adapter 1" to 3/4" is $23 at HD, so for input/output, that's $46. Why not do the same thing straight into the meter itself?

[@danz409]

what is that peace and can you buy replacements?

[@AmericanIrrigator]

The part that goes onto the meter will have to come from a municipal plumbing supply store. The other parts are available at an irrigation supply store.

[@elboridom]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@19moods]

Thank you. So helpful. Water line from meter to house busted and I need to replace it. Currently trying to figure out if it's 1 inch, and I use 1.25 inch sched 80 pvc, will it make a difference if when it reaches the house, it goes back to 1 inch? And Copper Ball valves are the best yes?

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Sizing up will be ok and using sch 80 is fine. In fact if you do use sch 80 it would be best to size up because the inside diameter is smaller. Cooper and PVC ball valve are both good.

[@drsnoots6787]

Do you use any sealant on the brass threads to the pvc adapter?

[@AmericanIrrigator]

I use teflon tape on all the threaded fittings. Even on the brass to pvc ones. I don't use any extra sealant or anything. I have good luck with just using teflon but I do know some guys who like to use pipe dope as well.

[@TheNimshew]

Lol. Now that is a question that every plumber eventually has. What do the majority use? Both. Or, we don't use "sealants". We use lubricants. Seriously. I've used sealant, tape and both at the same time. At one company we used the tape with the sealant over it. A friend of mine worked at the building of a federal prison and when he did tape, then dope, the foreman said. "No. Use the dope first, then the tape over it." The reasoning(sound) was that dirt would stick on the pasty dope. In actual fact. One or the other or both makes no difference. "Sealant" isn't a sealant. Teflon tape isn't a sealant. They are lubricants. They make the surfaces of the threads slide past each other without friction. If you think of them as lubricants you'll have better success. Heat is the bane of any good threaded joint. Dirt causes friction, friction causes heat. When there's heat, metals and plastics expand. The heat is going into objects of different masses. A pipe into a fitting, for instance. The pipe gets hot, expands, and now can't thread all the way to the optimum point. So, it leaks. But, if it makes you feel better, slap on that dope(making sure it is compatible with plastics) wind that tape fifty times around the thread. Unless you use enough tape to crack the fitting, 99.9% of the tape will never get in the threads. It might fill minor imperfections in a thread. But generally, we have to trust that the tool makers have the tap and die sizes pretty uniform.

[@apardave]

Very informative video. I have a question. I see that a lot of home water meters are 3/4" diameter, but the main (street) supply is a 1" line. Do they put there 3/4" meters so save money? Does stepping up (to 1") after the meter is ok? I assume that the 3/4" meter connection is so short that not much friction is produced. Thank you again.

[@AmericanIrrigator]

I’m not exactly sure why the 3/4 meter but it is ok to bump it back up to 1”. But I would keep the gpm low to be safe. Maybe around 10 gpm per zone. I’m going to do some more research on meters and get back to you.

[@apardave]

@@AmericanIrrigator where I live, 3/4" meters have a lower monthly fee than the 1" meters. I also assume that if you call the water company to change it, they will charge for stepping up the meter size? Thank you for your quick response. I hope you have a great week.

[@FreethemGuyz]

1:40 yeah…cause if u lose them and call us back out we gonna punch ya😂😂😂😂😂😎😎😎😎jk

[@AmericanIrrigator]

LOL I know. It happened to me. 😂😎

[@gtgl2x]

Thanks!

[@breatharianinstitute]

"I think they're maybe a little bit proud of it" is absolutely a thing from the south. What are country folk good for? This kind of thing and a whole lot more

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Lol. I know I am full of these southern sayings. They just come up. You mean to tell me y’all don’t talk like this. Lol. Have a Goodin

[@breatharianinstitute]

@@AmericanIrrigator I love it brother and I appreciate you. South Cacalac born 1977.

[@dimentedillusionz8076]

Ok, so say your doing some work on a residential, and need water to actually flown throughout the feed lines, (hot and cold sides), faucets, attachments, shower heads, and drain lines, in a residential.. Older neighborhood, house been empty a while, and for whatever reason city pulled the meter, and I don’t have an old one or a bypass on hand.. Just starting out in a new area, don’t judge. Lol.. What would be the least expensive, removable, possible multi-use, answer for tying the city feed into the houses main feed at the road, (Looking to basically just stick something where the meter was just to get water flow to the house, something I could use more than once. Easy to stick on, turn the key, have no leaks, so water gets to the house, and just cut key off and pop back out pretty quick and easy and something that ain’t gunna break after the 2nd or 3rd use.) I was thinking about maybe either a 1” male to male with maybe a 1” to 1/2” or 3/4” pex fitting, (whatever size just a plain ole water hose is) and just throwing on a 6-8” piece of water hose with a couple hose clamps tossed on either end...?? Anyone have better answer..? I’m way open to suggestions, and I need an answer pretty quick, cause supposed to start the job Wednesday morning, going tomorrow for initial inspection and quote with the home owner. All Y’all experienced plumbers... Hit me with an answer, I’d be eternally grateful..

[@AmericanIrrigator]

I would not do that. That is a no no. Call the city and have a meter put in. You could get in a lot of trouble for doing that. Technically you would be stealing water. I am all about doing things right, it will save you in the long run. good luck.

[@munecamcgee7678]

Thank you

[@AmericanIrrigator]

You are welcome!

[@mohammadzia6201]

Good

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Thanks

[@JSadeiu]

You can also use a stainless pipe clamp over the pvc housing before fully tightening

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Good tip. I have seen guys do that. I have never tried it.

[@breatharianinstitute]

It's it Meat or Meet (as in, where the two meet)? I'm asking for a friend

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Lol. It is Meat. Like a lot more plastic around the treads.

[@TheNimshew]

PVC F.I.P adapters are not to U.P.C. code for potable water. To mitigate that fitting splitting, put a S.S. clamp on the outside. Just snug. That will work

[@ezechialadams1310]

👍👍👍

[@jimmylujan1457]

Wrong way to plumb on the outlet side you need a UNION in case the meter is to be replaced or you have a leak due to not tightening enough or over tightening otherwise you're going to have to cut your line and maybe it will come out short then you'll have another splice Dude I've been doing this before you were born good luck doing it your way .

[@juvenalvargas3349]

Please don't use pvc next to that fitting. I work installing water meters and we brake that fitting all the time.use galvanized fitting

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Good info. At some point I need to get to PVC. When or at what point would you recommend we switch over to pvc coming from your line of work. This would help me and several others I think.

[@jasonerickson1033]

Bad info not allowed to get into meter pits in city limits get caught and it’s a hefty fine

[@user-hn8wm5xd9f]

DUDE YOUR SUPPOSE TO USE BRASS. ALSO THATS NOT CODE YOU CAN'T USE PLASTIC FITTING ON CITY WATER TAP YOUR NOT SUPPOSE TO ITS CODE

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Huh. Intersting point. I have been installing irrigation systems in the state of Texas for over 15 years and have never had an inspector or building inspector say anything about a code not allowing the use of PVC fittings after the water meter to tie in a sprinkler system to the municipal water supply. I also dug as far as I could into the plumbing and building codes in Texas and our city and didn't find anything there either. We do use mostly pvc for our irrigation systems, so we do have to use some sort of fitting to go from brass to pvc. I wanted to show what we use in this video. I will do some more checking on the matter though. Thanks.

[@TheNimshew]

That's potable water. Not irrigation water. That's why he's never had a problem with the inspector. Do you shout like that on the job? I'm not sure what you're supposed to use brass on. Brass coupling? Ah! I see. Yes, it'd be nice, when tying in a POTABLE water system to use a brass coupling and then your male adapter of whatever material your system is. I can see a municipality insisting that a brass coupling be used. Why? Because many buildings have copper water lines, copper flexes to hwh's, etc. That will eat a galvanized fitting up. Electrolysis

[@TheNimshew]

@@AmericanIrrigator You're not using potable water. That code is for potable water U.P.C.

[@griffiony]

Thanks!

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Your welcome! Thank you!

[@JCod306]

Thank you

[@hollymunford6857]

Good

[@AmericanIrrigator]

Thanks