I wont use flexible pipe in anything. I havn't personally used Tek Tube, but I have seen way to much flexible pipe fail to bother trying.

Thanks Racket--

Can anyone address the semantics is flex pipe ever referred to as PVC or is this a distinct difference.? If the contract say 2" PVC does that mean schedule 40 or can it mean flex pipe?

njfolks,
Most PB's make no distinction when they say 2" pvc.
Racket is correct. I also would never use flex pvc because of failures. There is no good reason to use flex on an inground pool.
It would be good for you to specify to the PB and plumbing Sub to not use any type of flex-pipe. Good luck.

quote" If the contract say 2" PVC does that mean schedule 40 or can it mean flex pipe? "quote

Yes, it can include flex too.

Unlike Racket, I've utilized flex in my pre-gunite stubout plumbing for decades and never had problems with it.

He's correct on the failures for using it on regular plumbing, I've also seen it fail in service. Normally because guys used it instead of a pipe heater to bend at tight angles that are over a 45 but less than a 90. Flexible SCH 40 pipe encased in concrete or in the dirt in it's natural curvature will do fine. You can't place it into service on tight small radius turns, or bending it against it's naturally curved direction.

I've also never heard of Tek Tube, I'm fixing to Google it and will post back.

See ya,
Kelly

Good uses for flex pipe:
Portable spas (you will never be able to plumb one without it)

Pumping out pools ( wont explode like a vac hose)

Low voltage, airline or fiber optic conduit.

Lost the hose for the shopvac?

Non-pressure applications.

Bongs?

Boy--after all the time spent reading on this forum I stilled missed this one. They got this one by me because the company DID specify the type of plumbing and size on the pre-written contract. It was a rather rough day with the PB. Whether or not I will be OK with the flex plumbing is second to the issue that they were not upfront about using it.

"It would be good for you to specify to the PB and plumbing Sub to not use any type of flex-pipe." Too late--did I forget to mention we decided to risk a good portion of our retirement funds (or what left of them) to support the economy--yes we are in mid-build. I would make sure others pay attention to golfgeek's suggestion. On this pre-written, form contract I didn't think I had specify no flex because the contract said "2 inch diameter Schedule 40 PVC."

''Flexible SCH 40 pipe encased in concrete or in the dirt in it's natural curvature will do fine.'' I would be interested in your assessment of the quality of this particular product and for the purposes it was used:(1) connecting the skimmers to the rigid PVC below and (2) running the top circular run ??? (don't know what you call it) of the spa plumbing--the jets coming up from the floor and plumbing below were done in the rigid PVC--although that was a hard fought concession. I don't know if this makes any difference, but the spa is attached with a spillover and is raised 18 inches. Ah . . . the fine print (or loophole) in this case per Huskyridor's comment "Yes, it can include flex too." Live and learn.

I was given a "take or leave it option" (nice) by management as the plumber was scheduled to finish today.

This was NOT the only issue of the day. After a sleepless night and stressful day I'm really worn out. Thanks for all the input.

Is the price difference really that much that it gives a builder a reason to use flex tube? It seems to me that regular PVC would be cheaper. Or, is the reason just because of the ease of installation? Thanks.

The plumber said that the Tek Tube wasn't actually cheaper, but that it was done for ease of installation and less connections going around curves, tight corners, etc.

I am hoping to hear back from Kelly a.k.a. Huskiridor as to the product and its suitability in this situation,

I would have been more comfortable if I had known ahead of time and had been give the option to not use it.

Does anyone know if any of the larger mass builders, either national or regional, use flex pipe routinely in part of their plumbing set up? My builder claims that A & S and Blue Haven use much more flex in their set-ups.

"My builder claims that A & S and Blue Haven use much more flex in their set-ups. "

I am not sure how knowing if they use it will help you sleep better at night.

Kelly its possible that they failures we have with it could be related to the temperature extremes that we have here. Many pools get 38 degree water temperatures.

A little over a month ago we had to replace a ton of flex pvc on a swim spa to the tune of $7k there were holes in it all over the place. The swim spa was only 11 years old. You could rip the pipe apart.

"The plumber said that the Tek Tube wasn't actually cheaper, but that it was done for ease of installation and less connections going around curves, tight corners, etc. "

Sure, but the reduced labor cost could make it cheaper.

njfolks,

http://flexpvc.com/application-guidelines.shtml

This website will give you a little info on flex-pipe.
Like any product, you will receive different opinions.
My experience with flex pipe is 15+ years old and perhaps the quality has improved, but, I've seen the flex pipe in a spa pre-plumbed with 2" flex grow to twice its size in the heat. I've seen flex-pipe literally rise out of a covered trench when under pressure. It does act strangely IMO. I've also seen holes rubbed in the pipe from pieces of concrete and rebar. These can also be problems for rigid pipe, but not as great.
My last straw with flex was when I pressure tested a roll not fully out of its shrink wrap and discovered a multitude of pin holes. It was obviously a manufacturing or shipping problem. It didn't instill any confidence in the product and I have not used it since. Right or wrong, I ascribe these POTENTIAL problems to all flex pipe.
As a customer, you need to depend on the experience of your PB. If he uses flex and has had no problems with it, then you need to let him do his job. Maybe what works in your part of the country may not work as well somewhere else. Perhaps the product quality is better. The pros and cons will be based on experiences we have.
My experience may not be typical, but I don't have any more flex pipe problems! Good luck.

I was about to click the confirm order until i started reading this thread. I am still on the fence about what to really use, should i use sche 40 flex because i have to go 100ft on a inground swimming pool? or should i just use sch 40 Charlotte Pipe? I had TekTube in my cart. I'm almost positive the termite theory on tektube is real because im now fixing my pool after spending $$$ on pest control. To flex or not to flex that is the ?

Don DO NOT USE FLEX PIPE. Sch.40 rigid is what you should use.

Insects will eat the flex tube, it will collapse over time, chemicals will destroy it.

Believe me. I've got 36 years in this industry.

Use 2 1/2" rigid pipe for your skim line. Not 2". There are reducer fittings available to work with any skimmer. You will get better water flow and if you need to vacuum your pool manually, the pump will not starve for water.

Flex pipe, was originally known as spa hose as I remember 30+ years ago. It was used on portable spas for it's ease of installation. Now, most portable spa companies used rigid pipe and heat bend all their pipe.

On our new builds and renovations, we use only rigid and heat bend as much of the pipe as possible and use low restriction fittings to reduce water velocity. Suction lines lines can be 2 1/2", 3" or 4" depending on application. Larger pipe allows for greater pump choice flexibility and pumps don't work hard.