Pipe fix

If you ever encounter a leak be it large or small, the sooner it is dealt with the better and less damage is potentially done. For this scenario we will say for arguments sake that one of the copper pipes up in the roof space is leaking.

You suspect a leak. A copper pipe in the loft has sprung a pinhole leak on the down side of the stopcock.

What you need:

Adjustable spanners.
Old cloths.
Torch.
15mm Copper slip coupling.
Pipe cutter.

Lewisham Plumbers can fix leaks.

Method:

A). Turn off the stopcock in the cupboard under the sink. Make sure that the plug is out of the kitchen sink, then, switch on the cold water. As soon as the water stops coming from the tap, go to the roof space and force down the float arm in the cold-water cistern. If quiet you know the pipework is empty of water.

B). Place the coupling over the centre of the hole in the pipe. Using your pipe cutter, cut through the pipe, then , with a cloth, dry and clean the two ends of the pipe. Ease the two pipe ends apart. A Lewisham Plumber can repair burst pipes. From the coupling slide a cap nut, and an olive, on each end of the pipes. Slide the slip coupling on one end, putting the pipes back together, slide the coupling back so that the coupling is centered on the leak.

C). Screw the cap nuts as tight as possible by hand, and then use an adjustable spanner to tighten. Do not use more than about 1¼ turns.

D). Switch the water on downstairs. As the cold tap starts to run, turn it off. Inspect the repaired joint. Check for leaks and then the job is done.


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