13mm outer diameter copper water pipe. I can't find any fittings

[gnigdave]

Hi,

The water pipe in our outhouse has a valve that slowly lets water through when it's shut off causing a constant drip. I was hoping to swap the valve for a new one.

The pipe has an outer diameter of 13mm (0.512 inch) and I can't find any products with this size fitting. It's an old pipe. I have a caliper and it's definitely 13mm at every point that I've checked.

Any ideas on how I can fix this?

Thanks

 

[Scally-Ho]

Looking at the photo of an old valve, I'd guess the pipe was the old imperial 1/2" copper.

 

[avonmouth]

A 15mm compression valve will fit.

 

[Madrab]

Scrape a bit of the pipe, does it come out shiny silver as it may be lead. That being said 5lb 3/8” is usually much thicker

1/2” Imperial copper would usually be a smidging over 15mm OD.

 

[fixitflav]

Hi,

The water pipe in our outhouse has a valve that slowly lets water through when it's shut off causing a constant drip. I was hoping to swap the valve for a new one.

The pipe has an outer diameter of 13mm (0.512 inch) and I can't find any products with this size fitting. It's an old pipe. I have a caliper and it's definitely 13mm at every point that I've checked.

Any ideas on how I can fix this?

Thanks

Are you sure it isn't 1/4"NB steel? That has OD 0.531" = 13.5 mm

 

[avonmouth]

It's copper.Lead would have brass tails sweated on to fit the compression fittings.

 

[Madrab]

You’re mostly right, usually copper tails in lead would have a wiped ball but I’ve come across lead right up to the fitting with just the smallest of copper tails inserted into the lead pipe and just solder filled around the top edge. not wiped as would the usual, with both gas and water, there’s still a lot of it up here. Wouldn’t know there was a copper tail in there until the fitting was disassembled.

Very similar to this without the fluted lip

 

[avonmouth]

You’re mostly right, usually copper tails in lead would have a wiped ball but I’ve come across lead right up to the fitting with just the smallest of copper tails inserted into the lead pipe and just solder filled around the top edge. not wiped as would the usual, with both gas and water, there’s still a lot of it up here. Wouldn’t know there was a copper tail in there until the fitting was disassembled.

Very similar to this without the fluted lip

View attachment 386669

That is/was called a taft joint..The lead compo was opened out to a bell shape using a turnpin.The copper was then tapped into the lead and filled with solder.We used to rough up the end of the copper so it bit into the lead and we would also and tin it first.