I'm pressure testing my system by putting main line water pressure on, closing a ball valve and a solenoid valve and letting it sit with a pressure gauge on it. I've had leaks on pretty much every connection on the main line. The main line is 1 1/4" poly pipe, and the manifolds are PVC.
I have a fitting on the manifolds that is female 1 1/4 threads on the manifold side and 1 1/4" poly barb on the other. I had some leaks on the threaded joints and some on the barbed joints. The threaded joints took about 1/2 turn more and they sealed, but the poly/barbed joint isn't as cooperative. I have double pipe clamps on all of them and even went to three on one. What I don't like about this particular fitting is that it only has about three barbs on the end then about an inch with nothing before the poly pipe bottoms out. Does anyone have any advice to get these barbed fittings to seal. A friend told me a plumber he worked with used some kind of compound on the barbed joint to seal it, but I've never heard of it before. Is there something that will work for this? Also, any advice on a fitting that may be better than the one I have. I will remake my manifolds if I have to, to accomodate a better fitting.
I've attached a link to pretty much the same fitting I am using. Its all that was available here, Menards, Lowe's and the local hardware store all had the exact same fitting.
Also is there anything a person can do with the thin wall irrigation pipe to make it seal better. I read some posts on heating it, but didn't do that for fear of stretching it. I used a rubber hammer and tapped the fittings onto the pipe, the clamped them.
I wasn't able to find good quality clamps either. These don't seem available anywhere. I have stainless clamps and even got some from Napa that seemed a better quality but was able to strip them too with enough pressure. I could strip them with a nut driver and easily with a 1/4" socket and ratchet.
Any advice will help.
http://www.sprinklermart.com/product_p/1435012.htm
Thanks
TeaMan