Sorry, I am a bit late getting back.
Paul
Is the stop tap soldered in place?
No, it is held on with nuts.The pipe upstream (towards the source) is it lead?
No, it is 22mm copper.
Is the supply pipe upstream black alchathene? or blue mdpe?
No, it is copper.
If there is some copper, make preperations, cut and bang on a compression fit stop tap turned on with hose connected so mains pressure relieved until you get compression joint tight.
OK, I will tell the plumber this is how he has to do it.
Whoever takes it on needs a big heart, plenty of prior experience, good insurance and strong wrists. Most plumbers qualify. Diy ers tend to lack most of these.
Rightyo.
tamz
Depends on how much of a leak. It will never freeze with the stupid tins you can buy. Would need a proper pipe freezing kit with the big bottle of CO2.
In fairness to the plumber, tamz, he has not actually seen the problem so he was probably giving a
worst-scenario explanation.
To do it live, as long as there is a bit space around it, it can be done easily enough as PB said.
To make sufficient space quite a large section of the (old) kitchen unit will have to be removed.
If there is not much space around the valve (eg inside a unit) and a decent enough space below the floor (enough to sit up in) it may be easier to lift a few boards, go down and cut one in there.
It’s not boarded as it’s a concrete floor.
If the valve on the street has been tarred over or whatever, it is up to the Water Authority to find and expose it at no cost to you.
I am hoping that they will call me tomorrow to confirm this (my friend is away in Spain with her sick mother – that is why I am involved).
Thanks, tamz.
I had to decommission fire hoses in an old peoples' home round here a few years back. My client had tried by digging up their land to find isolation. The water baord were unable to find isolation either.
In the end somebody had to take responsibility and a risk.
So I got the local water board man to stand by the isolation for the whole street, which was all they could manage. (They are allowed to isolate it without notice in an emergency).
As I snatched it I knew that he would limit the damage if I failed, until I could recover.
In the event it all went smoothly.
The visions of old people on zimmers floating down the corridors ocupied my dreams for a few nights before the day.
The flow of water to fire hoses is something to behold.
Sounds very white-knuckle stuff, Paul. I note your point they are allowed to isolate it without notice in an emergency. Thanks. I will let you know how it goes.