Connecting to water mains

hudster · 29 Aug 2015

Due to some upcoming building work I need to move our rising main from the back to the side of the house.

I've dug up the water main and my plan was to cut it, connect on to with some kind of adaptor, run some MDPE to the house, add a new stop cock and then connect to the existing system.

I think the underground pipe is steel but am not 100%. It seems to be about 1 inch across.

I thought I'd be able to get a connector for the steel pipe from screwfix or plumb centre this morning but both came up short.

Is there a way to connect onto this pipe with parts I can get on a bank hol weekend?! I am struggling to find an adaptor online at all.

Worth adding that the whole main will be replaced with MDPE in about 6 months when we re-lay the driveway, so this is only a short term solution.

leakydave · 29 Aug 2015

You need to thread it and connect to it with a female iron to an MDPE threaded adapter or try a universal MDPE to Steel coupler. The outside of the steel pipe would need to be nice and clean though.

Are you CERTAIN it is the water pipe? I would hate a GAS LEAK to spoil your bank holiday wknd!

hudster · 29 Aug 2015

Pretty sure, the gas pipe is the yellow one to the right in the photos!

leakydave · 29 Aug 2015

Ah yes sure it is... I didn't look at the photo very well did I?

AL66 · 29 Aug 2015

I'd try using a Plasson Plass4 universal joint - doubt you'll find one after midday on a saturday, there's plenty cheap on ebay though -re schedule the work to next weekend?!

AL66 · 29 Aug 2015

This would be the right size and includes the liner you'll need for the MDPE:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plasson-M...c368633&pid=100005&rk=4&rkt=6&sd=221851028641

JohnD · 29 Aug 2015

if you excavate a bit more of the pipe, you will find a threaded coupler holding two lengths of pipe together. If you can unscrew it (good luck with that) you can screw a BSP fitting onto the end you are keeping. You will need two enormous Stilsons, and you must hold the remaining pipe still. If it rotates it might unscrew some upstream coupling, or perhaps break a brass fitting. A pipe vice with a chain to grip it will also work.

My old dad used to cut new threads onto such pipes, the dies are very large and heavy, I don't suppose many people use or hire them these days.

hudster · 29 Aug 2015

Ok quick update I dug it out a bit more and ran it down with a wire brush attachment for the drill

hudster · 29 Aug 2015

Is this a workable solution:

Lead to copper connection from toolstation (open all weekend): http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p33234

Run that into either standard copper or some JG Speedfit plastic and run into the house as a temporary feed

What am I missing? I'm not sure if the pipe is lead of course, bit it looks like it might be to me

JohnD · 29 Aug 2015

looks like steel to me.

Can you scratch your name on it with a teaspoon?

Can you see a joint?

Have you got a magnet?

hudster · 29 Aug 2015

Good idea. Just ran a fridge magnet over it and yes it is magnetic. That's my idea out the window then!

hudster · 29 Aug 2015

Or iron?

hudster · 29 Aug 2015

AL66 said:
I'd try using a Plasson Plass4 universal joint - doubt you'll find one after midday on a saturday, there's plenty cheap on ebay though -re schedule the work to next weekend?!

Yes I think the answer is going to have to be a Plasson or Philmac universal fitting. Sadly I am not free next weekend and the builders roll in after that so it's going to be an after-work evening job!

Nige F · 29 Aug 2015

Wanna hire a set of stocks and dies ? I have some and I'm in E. Sussex

copea · 30 Aug 2015

That appears to be 3/4" (ID) galvanized iron.
A Philmac 27-34mm to MDPE universal transition coupling will do the job.
They do elbow transition couplings too.

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Connecting to water mains

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