I'm planning to run a PEX water line from my 3/4" hose bib around my house to a new spigot. The total distance is about 77 feet, and I have 4 elbow joints in the mix. My water pressure is 60 psi, and I'm only going to be using one hose at a time. Given that I'll be using 1/2" PEX, how much will it affect my water pressure? Would it be better to go with the 3/4" size even if I'm just using it for watering a small garden and washing my car? Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
Go with the 3/4"! It's a smarter choice for your setup. If you're asking about the elbows, remember that PEX is pretty flexible; try to make a continuous run without too many joints to avoid leaks down the line. Also, make sure your setup is deep enough to avoid freezing if you're in a colder area!
Honestly, I'd stick with the 3/4" unless cost is a big barrier. You can find comparison tables for 1/2" vs. 3/4" garden hoses to visualize the flow differences. If you can, avoid using elbows; smooth curves are preferable for minimizing water pressure loss.
I've done this before, and I can vouch for the 3/4" option. I ran 1/2" PEX for my outdoor spigots, and while it worked fine, having the extra size means less pressure drop. Plus, my setup was directly connected to a 1" PEX main, so it had great pressure. Better safe than sorry with the larger size in your situation!
Exactly! If the source pressure is already low, you'd definitely benefit from the larger diameter.