HDPE or PVC for laterals, is two inch PVC failing? Cancel The title field is required!

1. Joshua Gehman

   

   1 posts
   
   2/18/2014 12:02 PM

   After years of dealing with the sloth like speed of the banking community we finally have funding for our irrigation project. Our supplier is urging us to put in hdpe laterals for the fairways as opposed to PVC. Their reasoning is that over the past years 2 inch pvc bell end glue pipe is failing left and right. Going with the hdpe laterals will add 21,000 dollars to the project. It would be nice I know, to put in the hdpe laterals. But it will put us over budget.
   
   Is the PVC two inch pipe really that bad right now?

   
   
   
   
2. Smith Kerry L

   
   2/18/2014 2:02 PM

   Hdpe would be best if you could afford it but I have not heard about any pvc excessive failures. Why only in 2"? Is this in-house project or do you have a contractor? If this is in-house I would call some of the big guys like Wadsworth and Landscapes and ask them if they are aware of any pvc failures. They would certainly know if any existed. If you have a contractor ask them.

   
   
   
   
3. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   2/18/2014 7:02 PM

   Ask them which pipe manufacturer is having the issue. I have no doubt there may be a problem, but there is more than one manufacturer. Maybe just not one your vendor deals with.
   
   I have put in a ton of solvent weld 2" in the past couple of years. No problems.

   
   
   
   
4. Keith Pegg

   

   0 posts
   
   2/18/2014 9:02 PM

   HDPE, is the best if you can do it. PVC is not holding up like it did just a few years ago.
   You do not need the trust blocks or at least not as many. small pipe will be fine.
   No waste pipe.
   repairs are a dream as are add ons.
   
   Wish I had HDPE on this course.
   
   Good luck.

   
   
   
   
5. Gerald Beierschmitt

   

   0 posts
   
   2/19/2014 1:02 AM

   I would argue for PE, especially when you consider the 20+ life span of your project. The $20K doesn't sound like so much from that perspective. I have 12 year old PE in the ground and have not had one failure in the 6 years I have been here. Other than the time with the backhoe on #2, or the trencher on #8, etc....

   
   
   
   
6. Tony Feheregyhazi

   

   7 posts
   
   2/19/2014 9:02 AM

   I would go with the HD pipe for sure, especially in areas where any frost gets into the ground as there is some "give" with this pipe. Over the years I can attribute almost all the leaks to a poor fusing job or just plain old poor workmanship during the install. Do not let the contractor bury anything before you OK it. As well like someone mentioned there are an abundance of different types of repairing fitting on the market so just use what you pefer.
   
   Tony Fehergyhazi
   Bridges Golf Course
   Winnipeg, Canada

   
   
   
   
7. Lee Strutt

   

   0 posts
   
   2/20/2014 1:02 AM

   Hi Joshua,
   
   We have been using MDPE & HDPE in the UK since the mid 90's and have found it a far superior material to PVC. As mentioned by other comments, PVC has issues with long term performance and does fatigue in a very short space in time with bursts, gluing issues, requirement for thrust blocks, etc. PE pipes are not only very durable (and in my opinion will last allot longer than the quoted 20 years) but very easy to install via mole ploughing, but also has a range of very good jointing processes - Butt welding, fusion welding and compression fittings. The mere extra cost of $20k i think is a very small extra price to pay inconsideration on the long term returns of reduced maintenance and repair of the system in many your years to come.
   
   Hope this helps
   
   regards
   
   Lee

   
   
   
   
8. David Stout

   

   0 posts
   
   2/22/2014 9:02 AM

   HDPE is definitely the way to go. I've certainly seen bad lots of PVC in almost every size and configuration, C900, SCH40/80 have all had some bad lots over the years.....especially in the fitting area. We had a bad lot of tee's that cracked in the exact same spot, now we have a slip fix on top of a new fitting giving us at least two new things that could eventually fail over the years.

   
   
   
   
9. Jeffrey Joedicke

   

   0 posts
   
   2/23/2014 7:02 AM

   Lobby for the HDPE, you'll be glad you did in the long term. So much better, not even close IMO.
   
   Regards,
   
   Jeff

   
   
   
   
10. Garrett Schultz

    

    0 posts
    
    2/24/2014 12:02 PM

    Last summer we replaced a 20 year old irrigation system where every 20 feet the glued bell end joints were separating in the PVC, T's were wearing out, etc... We installed HDPE laterals, no glued joints in the system now. HDPE is definitely the way to go, it's relatively easier to work with as well. For what it's worth, when our project was put out to bid, the prices for laterals of HDPE and PVC were identical.