Making a "live" break in

kstandsteve · 27 Oct 2012

I am changing my bathroom radiator to a chrome ladder one and want to have the new 15mm chrome pipes dissapearing thru the floor, where I will connect to the existing 10mm radiator pipes.

I have all my new pipework ready and just need to make a break in to connect up and was looking to do this without draining down the system.

I will obviously turn the syatem off well in advance but what else should I do to minimise the water loss?

1983 · 27 Oct 2012

is system gravity fed or pressurised.

kstandsteve · 27 Oct 2012

Gravity - old style hot water cylinder ans seperate boiler

ChrisR · 27 Oct 2012

In that case you can try a system "bung" - a searchof the forum should find plenty.

Alternatively, 10mm pipes are easy to freeze.

kstandsteve · 28 Oct 2012

Cheers for that. Have been to B&Q and bought a bung kit £17 is a rip off tho. I understand why people use a carrot!

doitall · 28 Oct 2012

One assumes your not in the trade and cost is not a considereation, for a couple of hours you could drain the system, do the job and refill for zero expense.

HERTS P&D · 28 Oct 2012

Only use a bung kit when you know what you are doing and trying to save time.

Otherwise drain down, re-pipe, add X100, fill and bleed the system.

Andy

onabudget · 28 Oct 2012

you can put a jacket round the pipe and freeze it, you can get the kit from any plumbers merchant. I've done it myself when I damaged a section of pipework while flooring. Just make sure you freeze a distance away from the joint you are going to heat

SortedPlumbing · 28 Oct 2012

17 quid well spent if u ask me.

Would love to add up the hours of labour my bungs have saved me.

longdogs · 28 Oct 2012

If the bungs are working correctly you should only collect about a quarter of a bucket at most before the flow stops. If you keep letting too much water out, you can drag down the sludge from the header tank which will clog up your pump. sometimes if the expansion pipe is slightly warped, the bung will not seal properly and let air past which means an airlock will not be created. I normaly get round this by holding a small piece of plastic bag over the hole before pushing the bung in. I will also help to shut off the radiator valves in the rest of the upstairs rooms first.

DP · 28 Oct 2012

All I can say is take a happy pill and get ready for a soaking.

gas112 · 29 Oct 2012

hope he hasnt got a primatic cylinder , could be interesting

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Making a "live" break in

longdogs

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