Would like to know if anyone knows where I can purchase inexpensive pvc used or new

Hi I'm new to this site I'm a homesteader here in rural PA. and am looking to build some greenhouses using some pvc  piping/tubing 1/2" thick 12 feet and 17'  in length or longer. I noticed in some of the pictures that it looks like some used long lengths of PVC or something similar to make the hoops. I was wondering where I can purchase some that is inexpensive new or good used ones. If anyone knows please let me know thank you JESSE

Do you have a "Habitat for Humanities" store in your vicinity?

Those stores are good for used building materials.

Otherwise, put an ad on Craigs List.

I've been trying hard to avoid using PVC. I know, it's so incredibly useful. But it's so environmentally nasty from start to finish that I will go a long way to avoid it.

For hoop greenhouses, I have been looking at the polyethylene pipe used for water lines. It would need more reinforcement, but it's relatively inexpensive and less nasty.

I think the gold standard for a hoop greenhouse is metal electrical conduit bent into a quonset style arc. The stuff is sturdy and freaking indestructible. You could hand it down to your grandchildren.

I have also used the grey plastic electrical conduit for a few small jobs. It's bendable but very strong structurally. I'm afraid I don't know what it's made of.

What are you calling "inexpensive", relative to what?

Polyethylene pipe is cheaper than PEX, pvc and ABS.

For hoophouses, it might not be strong enough, depending on the diameter.
For low tunnels it should be fine.
If I were buying new materials for a hoophouse,  I would probably get 1/2" rebar and cover it in welded wire fencing  followed by window screen.

If I were building a "hoophouse" as cheaply as possible,  I would probably use pallet wood.



Right now I'm harvesting limbs from a mulberry tree and drying them in an arch.
I hope to use them in a hoophouse or low tunnel.
This is not for everyone, it takes time to cultivate such resources.

In my experience some PVC degrades in the sun. Here within a year it discolors in the sun, and in a few years cracks and crumbles

Gray electrical conduit is PVC, treated to resist sunlight.

Glenn Herbert wrote:Gray electrical conduit is PVC, treated to resist sunlight.

Darn.

I don't think this will serve the OP,  but you never know:
Fiberglass driveway marking poles.
Two of them can be joined at the top with a piece of hosing.
I used faucet supply line.
They are not normally available in lengths that could form a walk in hoop house, but Menards carries 20 foot lengths of fiberglass rebar for only 8 dollars each!

That price makes it competitive with steel rebar, and the weight makes it much easier to handle.
Until I can source basalt rebar , the fiberglass rebar might be my ideal hoophouse structural member.



Something else I want to try is bamboo.
Where I live many people have unruly stands of running bamboo, so getting it would not be a problem.
I don't know what needs to happen for it to be made into strong and stable hoops, but even umtreated and neglected canes seem to last for years in fairly good shape.

search for recycled metal supply stores near you.  I get all my pipe from there, and recently needed a 3" 20' PVC and they have one.  They typically pay by the pound and the further you get from desirable neighborhoods the cheaper it gets.  A place near me is $1.25/lb for steel pipe, but 30min away it's $0.75/lb.

I am with others though that PVC is a bad option.  Top rails for chain link fences are what most places use.  Not sure exactly what metal that is.  Galvanized steel?

Something that I see on Craigslist's "free" section pretty often is trampolines. Pearl Sutton did a whole thread on her trampoline score, and i've seen them turned into chicken tractors, but I wonder if the frames of a couple could work as tunnel supports.

I know rural PA covers a lot of territory but depending on which metro you are closest to, (NYC/DC/Pittsburg) you could see if there are enough free ones available to drive a bit and pick up. I am always amazed at the amount of free materials that could be used for projects listed in my area. There are also "Buy nothing" groups for towns on Facebook and Freecycle.org has town specific groups as well, where you can either place a "wanted" or "offered" post if you know what you are looking for.

Mercy Pergande wrote:Something that I see on Craigslist's "free" section pretty often is trampolines. Pearl Sutton did a whole thread on her trampoline score, and i've seen them turned into chicken tractors, but I wonder if the frames of a couple could work as tunnel supports.

I know rural PA covers a lot of territory but depending on which metro you are closest to, (NYC/DC/Pittsburg) you could see if there are enough free ones available to drive a bit and pick up. I am always amazed at the amount of free materials that could be used for projects listed in my area. There are also "Buy nothing" groups for towns on Facebook and Freecycle.org has town specific groups as well, where you can either place a "wanted" or "offered" post if you know what you are looking for.

=
Yes, the frames work EXCELLENT for tunnels. If you get whole trampolines, they'll come with smaller leg pieces too, those are useful also.

WELL worth putting a "wanted, free, dead, trampolines" ad someplace like Craigslist.

My score was bought, and new trampolines, but I got a LOT of bang for my money. Link if you want to see what I got. Still haven't used them, weirdness in my life. They are stacked neatly.
Oh MY! Trampolines!

Welcome to Permies, Jesse! Lots of us scavengers here with lots of good ideas!  

[quoteRelative to the greenhouse supply stores or a retail price .=John C Daley]What are you calling "inexpensive", relative to what?

I have just about enough 20' lengths of sked 40 1" galvanized pipe to build a 100' greenhouse if you can travel to providence RI area
send me purple msg if interested