HOME-FLEX D2513 Underground Pipe Kit Owner’s Manual
- June 12, 2024
- HOME-FLEX
Table of Contents
D2513 Underground Pipe Kit
Owner’s Manual
HOME-FLEX® Underground Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use HOME-FLEX Underground pipe inside my home? ®
a. No. Polyethylene gas pipe, no matter who manufactures it, is not to be used in a building or under a foundation with a structure on it. Not only is it against all codes, it is potentially dangerous.
2. Can underground PE gas pipe be used for propane applications?
a. Yes. It is certified for use with Propane as well as Natural Gas.
3. When installing PE underground gas pipe, is it alright to sweep it to the surface to make my final connections?
a. No, all yellow gas pipe needs to be at or below code-mandated burial levels (12” - 24” depending on your local codes). The yellow poly pipe should never be above grade.
4. Can I use the Transition Fitting in a vertical format to make my own riser?
a. No. The transition fitting is made to be used in a horizontal format to connect D2513 yellow poly gas pipe to black pipe. It must be at or below code mandated burial levels.
5. Why does the ½” meter riser have ¾” threads?
a. Half-inch underground products aren’t in high demand. We use the same metal part on both the ½” and ¾” meter risers due to this low demand and to keep its retail price as low as possible. Further, most above-ground installation have ¾” fittings to the meter.
6. I want to transition from black pipe to yellow underground poly pipe. Can I do that with your underground products?
7. What is your “Conversion Fitting” for and how is it different than your “Transition Fitting?”
8. Can I take apart HOME-FLEX Underground fittings if I need to make adjustments or changes to my system? ®
a. Yes. Unlike some push-to-connect fitting manufacturers, our underground fittings can be easily disassembled and reused.
9. Can I use your CSST brass fittings with your Underground pipe?
a. No, they are completely different product lines and are not compatible.
10. After my system is complete and before final burial, how long must the system be pressurechecked and at what psi?
a. We recommend you check the entire system for 30 minutes at 15psi. Overnight testing is not recommended due to “false positives” that may result from temperature and barometric changes.
11. Do I need to wrap HOME-FLEX Underground parts prior to burial? ®
a. No, the product line is purpose made for direct burial and does not need to be wrapped nor put in a conduit.
12. Do I have to chamfer your gas poly pipe prior to installation of your fittings?
a. No. Unlike some push-to-connect gas fitting manufacturers, our gas pipe does not need to be chamfered prior to installation of our compression fittings.
13. I currently have yellow pipe marked as “CTS”. Can it be used with your underground fittings?
a. CTS means “copper tubing size” which is significantly different that “IPS” (iron pipe sizing) which is most prevalent in the underground gas category today. So, even though your pipe may say “1/2” CTS” it will not work with ½” IPS pipe fittings.
14. Does HOME-FLEX offer an IPS (Iron Pipe Sizing) to CTS (Copper Tubing Sizing) conversion fitting? ®
a. Yes. We have a ½” IPS to CTS conversion fitting. Part number 18-429-101. No other sizes are currently available.
15. The code mandated burial level for my installation is 18” and I have limited room above surface. Can your riser be cut down to accommodate my installation?
a. No, the riser may never be altered, although the PE end may be cut shorter. You should dig the trench deeper under the riser to adjust your installation level above ground.
16. Can I use your underground fittings with another manufacturer’s pipe?
a. Yes, so long as the pipe and fitting sizes are the same. All manufacturers of D2513 poly pipe are held to the same dimensional and material standards.
17. What is “SDR”?
a. This means “standard dimension ratio.” It is the ratio of a pipe’s average outside diameter to its minimum wall thickness. If adding to an existing underground gas installation, always ensure that SDR dimensions are the same (mostly SDR-11 (1/2” is usually SDR-9.3)). SDR is shown on the pipe’s manufacturer’s stripe (along with other information). It may be shown as “SDR” or “DR”.
18. Can your underground pipe be fusion welded?
19. Can I use PVC fittings with your Underground gas pipe?
a. No, they are dissimilar materials and cementing/bonding would be an issue. Further, they are not certified for use together.
20. How do I know what size pipe I need for my installation?
21. How much pressure will your underground pipe and fittings handle?
22. What is tracer wire used for?
a. This is a 14-gauge or thicker wire that is installed beside the poly pipe prior to burial. It extends to the surface and is wrapped or zip-tied around the riser. A trenching or backhoe service can connect their sensor equipment to the wire and determine the underground routing of the gas pipe prior to digging. HOME-FLEX tracer wire is available at homedepot.com (model # 18-TW100/250/500/1000). ®
23. I’ve followed all the instructions carefully for my installation of HOME- FLEX Underground pipe but still have a leak in one of my connectors. What can I do? ®
a. Not that our connectors leak much (it’s a very simple installation!), but check the following: i. Ensure you use a PVC cutter to cut the pipe. Saws create a considerable amount of “plastic dust” that can negatively affect the sealing of the fitting and pipe if introduced into the fitting assembly. ii. Make sure the connection is clean. Gravel, sand, grit, and plastic “saw dust” from the pipe can be detrimental to the sealing of the fitting and pipe. iii. Make sure the pipe & stiffener is inserted straight into the fitting and bottoms out against the black main body. Installing on a significant radius may cause a leak. iv. Make sure the fitting is tight. Tighten it as much by hand as possible and put another ¼ turn on it with a wrench. Do not over- tighten. v. Ensure there are no gouges or scratches in the yellow poly pipe that would be inside the fitting. If so, disassemble the fitting and use a super-fine steel wool to gently smooth it out and being careful not create a flat spot on the OD of the pipe. If it still doesn’t seal, cut off the end of the pipe a bit, reassemble, and re-check. Do not use any plastic fillers to repair the pipe as codes mandate that the defective area of the pipe be removed and not repaired.
a. No, it is an on-line item only and is stocked in Home Depot’s regional distribution centers for quick shipment to either your home or for will-call at your local store.
Should you have any questions in addition to the above, feel free to contact us at info@homeflex.com.
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
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