back from hols, tiny leak in water pipe.

[kibodwin]

Hello all,
On returning from my holidays, I have a pin prick leak in a SS water pipe.
I have tuned off the water and opened a tap to reduce the water pressure.
Now I was thinking that I might just mig weld the small leak. I know
there is water still int he pipe that would probably turn to steam so leaving
a tap open is important.
Is this safe to do? I will probably just replace the pipe but for my education
is there anything I should be aware of if I wanted to weld a small hole in a
water stainless steel pipe that is still attached to the rest of the pipping?
Thanks.
K.

 

[pedrobedro]

House plumbing ? Replace the pipe or repair it with compression joints and a section of pipe.

 

[sockpuppet]

Hello all,
On returning from my holidays, I have a pin prick leak in a SS water pipe.
I have tuned off the water and opened a tap to reduce the water pressure.
Now I was thinking that I might just mig weld the small leak. I know
there is water still int he pipe that would probably turn to steam so leaving
a tap open is important.
Is this safe to do? I will probably just replace the pipe but for my education
is there anything I should be aware of if I wanted to weld a small hole in a
water stainless steel pipe that is still attached to the rest of the pipping?
Thanks.
K.

Yes, your holding a very powerful electric current in one hand with water very close by.

 

[the snooper]

House plumbing ? Replace the pipe or repair it with compression joints and a section of pipe.

x2 the compression will be quickest

 

[kibodwin]

Thanks for the reply,
I plan on using compression (a bit of rubber and a jubilee clip) until the plumber comes
to fit a replacement. Water in a somewhat confined area and high voltage never did seem
like a good idea but a small weld seems like the quickest way to repair it. I will probably
try and weld the pipe once it is off and has been replaced just to see how this sort of piping
welds.
Thanks for the replies,
K.

 

[rich r]

If you do need to do a temporary repair, the epoxy putty ('Plumber's Mait' etc) is a far better idea than welding. I've actually known water pipes at mains pressure still holding up after 8 years (yes, I put a nail through it). But yes, ideally freeze and cut out the damaged section and fit a replacement with compression fittings.

 

[Engineer1964]

Cut the pipe in the middle of where the hole, Deburr and then use a push fit fitting.

A few years ago i had a burst copper pipe and had to be without watter for the best part of the day until i got it fixed, Now, In the meter cupboard, i have an emergency Plubing Repair Kit, A small Pipe Cutter 2 15mm push fit fittings, and 2 22mm fittings and 1 metre of both 15mm and 22mm copper.

So easy

 

[mac53]

How about a self tapped screw with ptfe to seal as a temp repair?
Mac

 

[Robotstar5]

How about a self tapped screw with ptfe to seal as a temp repair?
Mac

I've done that to seal a pin hole in a diff casing

 

[TechnicAl]

stainless plumbing?

really

 

[Paul.]

stainless plumbing?

really

Yep, very common in food factories, fitted loads of it.
http://www.bes.co.uk/products/163.asp

 

[kibodwin]

Ok, just to update you all.
I have got the plumber around and he want 150 euros to replace a 15 cm stainless steel
pipe with threads on either end. I am pretty sure I can do it myself for cheaper and learn something in the process. I was thinking of angle grinding the pipe in half to speed up removal, getting some
semi flexible hose (all the other piping is of this semi flexible piping) and use some compression
fittings to fix it back where it was. Do I need to get one right hand and one left hand threaded compression fitting so that when I screw it back on it tightens both ends?
Just realise that I should be asking this in a plumbing forum!! I will be welding the cut SS pipe
for a bit of practice once all of this is done.
K.

 

[pedrobedro]

Look closely at a compression fitting before you do the job, I think you are a bit confused about how they work. You put the nut on the pipe then fit a brass olive then tighten the nut to compress the olive onto the pipe. Read this for an idea of what to do.

 

[Cris B]

If you do need to do a temporary repair, the epoxy putty ('Plumber's Mait' etc) is a far better idea than welding. I've actually known water pipes at mains pressure still holding up after 8 years (yes, I put a nail through it). But yes, ideally freeze and cut out the damaged section and fit a replacement with compression fittings.

I've used a two part epoxy putty to fix leaks in the past google 'Green Stuff' - holding up well after 5 years

 

[mac53]

I don't know if this link works but you could use one of these,compression on both ends. how about a photo of pipe
Mac
http://www.screwfix.com/p/flexible-hose-15mmx15mmx10mm-bore-300mm/10857#

 

[Flathead_Dave]

Use one of these.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/repair-15-x-100mm/85529

Take the nuts off the ends,hold against pipe,and mark the total length on pipe.Measure depth of resess in fitting where pipe fits,multiply by two,and subtract that from measured length.Cut pipe,put nut and olive on each pipe end,insert fitting between pipe ends,slide olives against fitting,and tighten nuts.

 

[kibodwin]

Hi Guys,
Thanks you very much for the pointers. I need to go to the local hardware store and see what
parts are available. I will post photos when I get to it but it will not be for a month or so.
K.

 

[kibodwin]

the flexible repair hose thing is probably how I will do it.
K.