Tricks or Treats? 6 HDPE Piping Myths Debunked

Halloween season is approaching.

Break out the ghost and goblin metaphors, and adorn your home to your preferred degree of spooky décor.

Come to think of it – I’m guessing that any of ISCO’s field techs could weld together one hell of an HDPE black widow.

Anyway – we are here to try and sort out some statements as Tricks or Treats. Read on:

Statement #1: HDPE is expensive.
Answer: Tricky, but ultimately it is a Trick.

HDPE pipe and equipment have historically been more expensive than legacy piping systems.

BUT.

HDPE pipe offers a 100-year life span.
HDPE pipe requires less maintenance.
HDPE pipe and equipment is safer, less expensive, easier and less disruptive to install.
Unlike some legacy piping systems, which have a leak rate of 10 percent to 20 percent – properly installed HDPE doesn’t leak.
To paraphrase a John Wooden quote – “If you don’t have time and money to do it right, how will you have time and money to do it again?”

Statement #2: HDPE can be joined to legacy piping systems.
Answer: Treat.

Contractors and project owners may only be able or need to replace or manipulate certain sections of pipe at a time. This means sticking with the original piping materials or joining of different materials. HDPE can be mechanically joined together with both ductile iron and PVC by using fittings and adapters designed for this purpose. The preferred method for joining HDPE to legacy material is to use a mechanical joint or “MJ” adapter. It’s a slam dunk.

Statement #3: HDPE needs to be upsized over legacy pipe.
Answer: Trick.

There is no need hydraulically to upsize HDPE. Just the opposite in fact. The higher flow rates, lack of tuberculation and corrosion with HDPE pipe means liquids flow more smoothly and rapidly in HDPE. Trenchless technologies like directional drilling, pipe bursting, slip lining, compression fit lining, and open excavation allow technicians to simply replace existing pipe with a smaller diameter pipe and keep or improve the flow rates.

Statement #4: HDPE pipe is not as durable as other piping materials.
Answer: Trick.

PVC, DIP, and HDPE all resist backfill with comparable success.

HDPE is seismically resistant, resistant to corrosion and tuberculation and provides superior longevity and flexibility.

Unlike traditional materials, HDPE withstands aggressive flows and hot or corrosive soils.

Statement #5: HDPE joints are just as strong as the pipe itself.
Answer: Treat.

Not only are the butt fusion joints on a HDPE pipeline leak-free when performed properly, the joints are less likely to fail before the pipe itself when subjected to extreme pressure.

In some cases, four-times higher pressure than the pressure rating for the pipe.

While the joints of legacy piping systems have similar strength, they are more likely to leak than HDPE.

Statement #6: HDPE is harmful to the environment.
Answer: Trick.

Just the contrary.

HDPE is as eco-friendly an option as you can find in piping systems.

The manufacturing process and fusion of HDPE pipe minimizes toxic emissions, unlike other piping alternatives.

Lighter than other piping alternatives, the transport of HDPE is less expensive, conserves gas and limits vehicular emissions.

Nearly all means of HDPE installation minimize environmental impact. Trenchless installation all but eliminates reconstruction of roadways.

Horizontal Directional Drilling can place pipelines under roadways, rivers, lakes and other obstacles and avoids environmental disturbance.

Slip-lining eliminates removal of outdated and failing other piping alternatives, removing an impactful footprint.

The leak-free nature of HDPE conserves water. And in the case of the piping system carrying harmful substances, they will not find their way into the soil.

Finally – with a 100-year life cycle – invasive repairs or system replacement won’t occur every 15-20 years like other legacy piping systems.

There you have it.

HDPE isn’t as scary as you think.

Unless someone fused that black widow together.

If you live near an ISCO field tech, maybe keep your head on a swivel when you visit that house.

Happy Halloween!