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  • Why Do Ductile Iron Pipe Lengths Vary?

    Why Do Ductile Iron Pipe Lengths Vary?

    By Jeremy Gwin   04/04/2020  In Installation Products Technical

    I have been on the road for nearly 20 years, talked with numerous contractors and distributors during that time, and there is a common question that I often get asked, "Why do Ductile iron pipe lengths vary?"

  • Why is Depth of Cover Important When Installing Ductile Iron Pipe?

    Why is Depth of Cover Important When Installing Ductile Iron Pipe?

    By Gary Gula   12/20/2019  In Installation Technical

    Within this article, we will discuss Depth of Cover and the key factors to consider when selecting the type of trench (or laying condition) for your application. We’ll also discuss why it is important to choose the correct trench application, not only for today, but for future adjustments or improvements that are planned for the surrounding area where the pipeline is being installed.

  • What are Some Top FAQs on Ductile Iron Pipe?

    What are Some Top FAQs on Ductile Iron Pipe?

    By Andrea Kubik   09/13/2021  In Installation Products Technical

    As a manufacturer of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), we often field questions from water professionals regarding DI pipe, its uses, and how to install it properly. We even receive numerous questions about alternate materials, their differences, their uses, and the best choice for the application. And of course, when you ask, we answer…honestly, even when the answer doesn’t include Ductile iron. In this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll cover a few of our frequently asked questions (FAQ) and provide some solutions. We will continue with this FAQ series in the upcoming months.

  • V-Bio® Or Cathodic Protection – An Honest Comparison

    V-Bio® Or Cathodic Protection – An Honest Comparison

    By John Simpson P.E., ENV SP, AMPP CT   12/13/2019  In Installation Products Technical

    Odds are you may not be a certified corrosion specialist or an expert in the corrosion field for that matter. Most engineers that are responsible for specifying water projects are not. There are of course engineers who dedicate their entire careers to the subject. The good news is that McWane Ductile is committed to excellence in the corrosion field and provides professionals to assist you with making sound decisions regarding corrosion control. 

  • Specialty Gaskets: What Are They and When Do We Use Them?

    Specialty Gaskets: What Are They and When Do We Use Them?

    By Kate Alexakos   12/07/2023  In Installation Products Technical

    In the realm of Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe) joints, standard SBR (Styrene Butadiene) gaskets are the traditional watertight sealing solution. However, did you know these gaskets are not intended for all applications? When dealing with unique jobs, selecting the proper gasket material catering to specific operational demands is essential. There are specialized gaskets, distinct in composition and functionality, that transcend the conventional capabilities of SBR gaskets. Each gasket described below is made for specific purposes based on factors like soil conditions, fluid temperature, or powerful industrial forces. These gaskets utilize modern elastomers to withstand the demands of any given project. In this #IronStrong Blog, we will closely examine each gasket available for your pipeline project.

    Today’s modern push-on gaskets are comprised of different types of rubber compounds, and the development of the push-on gasket has proven to be instrumental to the success of the leak-free water and sewer joint. Let's take a closer look at each specialty gasket available on the market today.

  • What is the Maximum Direct Tap Size for Ductile Iron Pipe?

    What is the Maximum Direct Tap Size for Ductile Iron Pipe?

    By Jeff Houser   09/10/2020  In Installation Technical

    With Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), typical service taps can be installed directly into the wall of the pipe, which is called “direct tapping.” The ability to use direct tapping eliminates the need for tapping saddles. And the ease at which DI pipe can be "hot tapped" helps avoid the issue of unhappy consumers because their service and pressure are not impacted by the addition of a new tap. The waterworks community frequently asks us, “How big of a tap will DI pipe allow?” The simple, most conservative response, not having interrogated the user as to their DI pipeline particulars, would be as follows:

  • How Do the Trench and Backfill Protect the Pipe?

    How Do the Trench and Backfill Protect the Pipe?

    By John Simpson P.E., ENV SP, AMPP CT   12/02/2021  In Installation Technical

    Utility pipelines provide for some of the most basic needs within our society. Essential services, such as supplying potable drinking water to our homes and businesses or sending wastewater away, are possible because of a network of buried pipelines. Whatever pipeline materials are used, they are expected to meet minimum service qualities such as withstanding leakage. This resiliency to leakage eliminates waste of our precious drinking water and prevents polluted soils from wastewater in the pipeline's proximity.

  • How Does Proper Bedding Allow a Pipe to “Sleep Well?"

    How Does Proper Bedding Allow a Pipe to “Sleep Well?"

    By Ken Rickvalsky, ENV SP, AMPP CT   01/22/2021  In Installation Technical

    Did you know the mattress industry is one of the oldest continuous industries in the world? The first mattresses were believed to have been manufactured in 37 BC in Persia. Today, more than 35 million mattresses are shipped world-wide to replace those that have been in service for an average of seven years. So, what does this have to do with Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), you ask? This article will discuss how setting improper bedding in a pipe trench can cause sleepless nights for the water company and its crews due to pipe failures, seemingly always at night — as it is my experience that most large main breaks typically occur after dark!

  • How Does Ductile Iron Pipe Increase Energy Savings for a Water Utility?

    How Does Ductile Iron Pipe Increase Energy Savings for a Water Utility?

    By John Simpson P.E., ENV SP, AMPP CT   11/03/2022  In Products Technical

    Approximately 85% of a utility’s capital investment is underground. Since water and sewer infrastructure plays such a significant role in the total energy consumption of municipalities, more emphasis must be placed on energy savings when selecting pipe materials. This Iron Strong Blog will describe factors that affect energy cost at water utilities and how to save money.

  • What Are Some Common Misconceptions Associated with Ductile Iron Pipe?

    What Are Some Common Misconceptions Associated with Ductile Iron Pipe?

      12/04/2020  In Products Technical

    In 1492, Christopher Columbus was shocked when his ship made landfall in a land Europeans had never explored. Along the way, he proved that Earth isn’t flat after all. Right?

    Wrong: Despite a persistent legend, neither Columbus nor his Spanish patrons thought Earth was a finite plane instead of a round planet. That was thanks to scientists, philosophers, and mathematicians who, as early as around 600 B.C., made observations that Earth was round. Using calculations based on the sun's rise and fall, shadows, and other physical properties of the planet, Greek scholars like Pythagoras and Aristotle determined that the planet is actually a sphere.1

    So, what’s the point of today’s history lesson? It often reminds me that there are numerous myths associated with Ductile iron pipe (DI pipe), and in this Iron Strong Blog, we’ll list some of those ideas, provide factual data, and discuss why they are simply misconceptions.

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Latest Posts

  • How to Secure Green Reserve Sustainability Incentives Using State Revolving Funding & Ductile Iron Pipe
    How to Secure Green Reserve Sustainability Incentives Using State Revolving Funding & Ductile Iron Pipe By Cole Mitcham, P.E. 07/29/2025  In Energy Products Technical
  • UPDATED - Ductile Iron Pipe Versus HDPE - A Comparative Narrative
    UPDATED - Ductile Iron Pipe Versus HDPE - A Comparative Narrative By Ken Rickvalsky, ENV SP, AMPP CT 05/29/2025  In Comparisons Products Technical
  • How is Ductile Iron Resilient to Disruptive Events? Part II – DI Pipe & Wildfires
    How is Ductile Iron Resilient to Disruptive Events? Part II – DI Pipe & Wildfires By Jacob Lovin, ENV SP 04/22/2025  In Products Resiliency Technical
  • Crossing the Saugus River with Ductile Iron Pipe -  When, Why, Who, and How
    Crossing the Saugus River with Ductile Iron Pipe - When, Why, Who, and How By Jeff Houser 04/15/2025  In Installation Products Technical
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Products
  • Products
  • Ductile Iron Pipe
    • Tyton® Joint Pipe
    • TR Flex® Restrained Joint Pipe
    • Mechanical Joint Pipe
    • Mechanical Joint Lock Joint Pipe
    • Fabricated Flange and Wall Pipe
    • Ball and Socket Joint Pipe
    • Long-Span Pipe
    • Permaloy™ Pipe
    • Seismic Flex Coupling™
  • Gaskets
    • Tyton® Gaskets
    • Mechanical Joint Gaskets
    • Flange Gaskets
    • Sure Stop 350® Gasket
    • Specialty Gaskets Service & Usage
  • Fabrication
    • Fabricated Flange and Wall Pipe
    • Grooved Pipe
    • Welded Outlet Pipe
    • Thread-o-Lets
    • Weld-On Boss
  • Fittings and Accessories
    • Bronze Wedge
    • Cable Bond
    • Pipe Joint Lubricant
    • Mechanical Joint Accessories
    • Seismic Flex Coupling™
    • TR Flex® Accessories
    • TR Flex® Fittings
    • V-Bio® Encasement
  • Linings
    • Cement-Mortar Lining
    • Glass Lining
    • Protecto 401™ Lining
    • Ceramapure™ PL90 Lining
  • Coatings
    • Asphaltic Coating
    • Zinc-Coating
    • Ceramawrap Coating
    • V-Bio® Enhanced Polyethylene Encasement
  • Technical Bulletins
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  • Certifications
  • Submittal Builder
  • Product Warranty
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