The position and material the pipe is made from will determine
the length of time and expertise required in order to fix it.
Lead piping
Option 1:
Lead piping in domestic properties is prohibited today for
health reasons. Drinking water lying in a lead pipe for
some time absorbs toxins from the metal. (If lead piping
supplies the drinking water, always run the water for a
short time before using it). Thousands of homes still have
a lead rising main connected to a modernised system. When
the occasion arises lead pipes should be replaced rather
than repaired with either copper or plastic piping.
Option 2:
If the situation is such that a repair is necessary, lead-to-copper
compression fittings should be used. These fittings can
be used to connect the lead pipe to either copper or plastic
pipe. The water supply should be turned off and the pipes
drained. Use a hacksaw to cut a small section of pipe. It
is easier if time allows to take the section of pipe along
to a plumbing merchant to ascertain the correct fittings.
The Leadloc fitting should then be fitted to the lead piping
in a similar way to any compression fitting. Connect the
copper or plastic pipe to the other end of the fitting.
You could even reconnect the old lead pipe to the fitting.
Option 3 - Emergency repair:
If it is not possible to leave the home to buy a fitting,
lead piping can be bandaged, temporarily, in an emergency.
The water supply should be turned off and the pipes drained.
Lead is soft and can be hammered together at the split site,
as well as is possible. The surrounding area should be cleaned
with wire wool or fine abrasive paper. The area should be
dried and then wrapped with reinforcing tape, covering the
surrounding area as well, to aid reinforcement. Another
length of tape should then be wrapped around the entire
area being repaired. Leave the pipes for an hour or so before
running the water through the pipes again. Feel the area
or wrap with a paper tissue and check whether there is any
leakage before leaving the site. Option 1 or 2 should be
used to replace the section causing concern as soon as possible.
Copper piping
Option 1:
The water supply should be turned off and the pipes drained.
If the split in the pipe is fairly small (less than 3.5
in, 90cm) cut out the damaged part and slide the slip end
of the coupling onto a pipe end. Then push it onto the other
end. Unscrew the compression nuts and slide them, together
with the olives, at each end along the pipe. Apply pipe-jointing
compound before refitting the nuts and olives by screwing
them tight using your fingers. Then use a spanner to tighten
further. Run the water through the pipes again. Feel the
area or wrap with a paper tissue and check whether there
is any leakage before leaving the site.
Option 2 - Emergency repair:
If the pipe is not under mains pressure, an emergency repair
can be made with a length of hose. The piece of hose should
be longer than the split area. Cut the hose down its length
and wrap it around the pipe. If the hose is too narrow,
make sure the split area is completely covered with hose.
Then secure the hose with hose clips or wire loops. Run
the water through the pipes again. Feel the area or wrap
with a paper tissue and check whether there is any leakage
before leaving the site. Option 1 should be used to replace
the section causing concern as soon as possible.
