Cracked PVC at well water tank...need help

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May 26, 2009
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Hill Country TX
Despite having a heated well pump house and heat taped pvc lines the two days of 5F and no power did my pvc lines in. Trying to repair myself as plumbers are at least a two week wait. Plus for now all stores are OUT of anything pipe related. It is 1.25 pvc and the usual fittings to go up to top of water tank. But I don't know what the fitting is that I need to buy where the pipe goes into the tank. Its a large white fitting going into a black screw on fitting. I don't know what these are or are called to order one. Thanks in advance We need water. Tank is dry.
 

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The large white PVC fitting is a male adapter probably 2 inch. It has a reducing bushing glued into it then 1 1/4 pipe and elbow that you described.

I think the black fitting is called a tank bulkhead. These would be sold at farm stores that carry tanks. There is a rubber gasket sealing it to the inside wall of the tank when the large nut on the outside is tightened. The nut is usually left hand thread.

It's an unpressurized tank, so you could improvise something like a hose dropped into the top of the tank instead of this pipe.
 
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The large white PVC fitting is a male adapter probably 2 inch. It has a reducing bushing glued into it then 1 1/4 pipe and elbow that you described.

I think the black fitting is called a tank bulkhead. These would be sold at farm stores that carry tanks. There is a rubber gasket sealing it to the inside wall of the tank when the large nut on the outside is tightened. The nut is usually left hand thread.

It's an unpressurized tank, so you could improvise something like a hose dropped into the top of the tank instead of this pipe.
So is the male adapter glued to the tank bulkhead. Trying to get a parts list for when the store has these items. So tank bulkhead, white male adapter, reducer, and small piece of 1 1/4 pipe, then 90 degree fitting? The rest of the assembly is all common parts.
 
The pvc fittings starting at the black tank fitting are:
1- Male adapter: https://www.zoro.com/lasco-1-mnpt-x-socket-pvc-male-adapter-sched-40-436010bc/i/G5275094/?pla=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping feed&utm_content=free google shopping clicks&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwsiM-qP07gIVTvDACh1qPQZyEAYYByABEgKoCvD_BwE

2- PVC spigot x socket reducing bushing: https://www.zoro.com/lasco-1-12-spigot-x-1-socket-pvc-reducing-bushing-437211/i/G5278567/

3- Then, either a piece of pipe then elbow, or maybe a pvc street elbow. https://www.zoro.com/lasco-2-slip-x-1-12-slip-pvc-90-degree-street-elbow-416251/i/G5276862/?q=pvc street elbow

4- You will also need a coupler when you cut and reattach to the incoming vertical pipe: https://www.zoro.com/lasco-34-socket-pvc-coupling-sched-40-429007bc/i/G5276546/?q=pvc socket coupler

My examples are not sized correctly. The beauty of PVC is that there are numerous combinations of slip/socket/threaded that can be chosen to reach the same end result.

Having said all this - I have had excellent results with pvc labeled plastic epoxy. Clean area well, roughen with sand paper, goop on the epoxy for a quick and dirty TEMPORARY repair. I.E.: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=pvc+plastic+repair+epoxy
 
The pvc fittings starting at the black tank fitting are:
- Male adapter: https://www.zoro.com/lasco-1-mnpt-x-socket-pvc-male-adapter-sched-40-436010bc/i/G5275094/?pla=true&utm_source=google&utm_medium=surfaces&utm_campaign=shopping feed&utm_content=free google shopping clicks&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwsiM-qP07gIVTvDACh1qPQZyEAYYByABEgKoCvD_BwE
- PVC spigot x socket reducing bushing: https://www.zoro.com/lasco-1-12-spigot-x-1-socket-pvc-reducing-bushing-437211/i/G5278567/

- Then, either a piece of pipe then elbow, or maybe a pvc street elbow. https://www.zoro.com/lasco-2-slip-x-1-12-slip-pvc-90-degree-street-elbow-416251/i/G5276862/?q=pvc street elbow

- You will also need a coupler when you cut and reattach to the incoming vertical pipe: https://www.zoro.com/lasco-34-socket-pvc-coupling-sched-40-429007bc/i/G5276546/?q=pvc socket coupler

My examples are not sized correctly. The beauty of PVC is that there are numerous combinations of slip/socket/threaded that can be chosen to reach the same end result.

Having said all this - I have had excellent results with pvc labeled plastic epoxy. Clean area well, roughen with sand paper, goop on the epoxy for a quick and dirty TEMPORARY repair. I.E.: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=pvc+plastic+repair+epoxy
WOW!! Thanks for the very detailed parts list! This is very helpful for me. This is a very stressful time here now. Everyone here has freeze damage from moderate to severe.
 
Might try a pool/hot tub supply place for some flexible hose to get you by. You don't need to duplicate what you have, you need a temporary emergency fix to get water from the well to the tank. Too bad you couldn't have drained the water out of that pipe, might want a valve at the low point. Sorry for your troubles, hang in there.
 
2 or 3 (max) wraps of teflon tape on threads is good. If choosing to use pipe "dope" it is critically important to use one trusted as PVC safe. Some claim PVC compatibility but the pros say they still react with and weaken the pvc.

Using threaded PVC is a controversial topic and there are rules where to use male vs. female. The use of tape or dope is very controversial too. Won't start that discussion now. Your current set up is good - mostly glued.

Don't forget cleaner and glue! Most of this is so cheap that you might want to buy 2 of everything in case you goof up, unless the store is just down the road.

I feel for all of you going through this. Very traumatic circumstances.
 
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Might try a pool/hot tub supply place for some flexible hose to get you by. You don't need to duplicate what you have, you need a temporary emergency fix to get water from the well to the tank. Too bad you couldn't have drained the water out of that pipe, might want a valve at the low point. Sorry for your troubles, hang in there.
When I get it rebuilt, is there such a thing as a pvc drain/petcock?? I would defiantly install one at the lowest point, turn off well pump, open up and drain then close up after the freeze.
 
Without seeing your set up, yes, you could install a TEE in the lowest point and connect a ball or petcock valve off the TEE. Or, install a screw in cap/plug on the TEE. Or, install a union at the low point and undo it when wanting to drain.
 
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The Bob crew has come through and made us all proud. Your generous advice is more than anyone having trouble could ask for.
Yes great advice and help! PVC is a pretty straightforward concept, I just had a hard time with the nomenclature for all the various pieces that I will need.
 
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