Working on a live pipe

[Jupiter01]

I need to switch over a water basin in a friends house and we have struggled to locate a stop cock inside or outside the house. Am I pushing my luck to think that I can cut a live pipe and stick on a compression isolation valve without turning the house into a swimming pool?

I can have a push fit stop end to hand too...

Thanks in advance.

 

[FiremanT]

Don't do it.

Hire a freeze kit, or get the water company out to locate or fit a stop cock outside

 

[Dan Robinson]

Don't do it.

Hire a freeze kit, or get the water company out to locate or fit a stop cock outside

Chicken

 

[Jupiter01]

Is it a big deal guys? At worst I can push on a stop end can't I??

 

[FiremanT]

Is it a big deal guys? At worst I can push on a stop end can't I??

True.

Go for it

 

[Jupiter01]

Is that a “you’ll learn the hard way, idiot” or is it a reasonably sensible approach??

 

[Elkato531]

Crack on. What's the worst that could happen? Be sure to video it and post it up afterwards. Seriously though, how much do you think an insurance company will pay out for water damage when they find that 'a friend' deliberately cut a mains pressure pipe without isolating the water?

 

[bobasd]

its called snatching the pipe an its easy enough ifyou dont cock it up or panic.
make sure you have the right pushfit an practice on a spare off-cut of pipe.
youve got to be quick an steady as you cut the pipe so you cant work on a cramped, difficult to cut pipe.

if this is the hot side an thers hot water active then dont attempt until youve got cool water - beware of scaldin yourself, never snatch any heatin pipework.

go in the street an see where the neighbours externaal stop taps are - eyeball a straight line to the property an thats where the water usly enters an where it enters is close to the internal stop-tap.
pavement stop covers are often tarmaced over an garden stop boxes are overgrown but they are usly there.
internal sisolators can be behind units or under the floor near the entry point.
your almost guaranteed to have at least one mains shut off

 

[Newboy]

Is it a big deal guys? At worst I can push on a stop end can't I??

I want to see anybody wack a stop-end on mains pipe.

If you are going to try it at least have a backup plan ready - compression stopcock (open) connected to a hose that you can lead out of the building. At least you've got a chance of fitting that rather than a stop-end.

 

[bobasd]

fair enough with your preparations, the hose etc. but we do it all the time in property an trenches an, although we shouldnt, with other lower pressure stuff in the pipes.

 

[rsgaz]

 

[muggles]

Is that a “you’ll learn the hard way, idiot” or is it a reasonably sensible approach??

It's a "If you're going to do it, please video it and post the results here"

 

[dilalio]

Get the supplier out... You'll need a means of isolating the supplies at some point... even if not for this! External stopcock is most important in the event of a flood whilst the occupier is away!

 

[lostinthelight]

If there are some upstream taps on the system then I guess opening them would reduce pressure a little?

 

[FiremanT]

Apart from my "hire a freezer", the best advice so far:
If you are going to try it at least have a backup plan ready - compression stopcock (open) connected to a hose that you can lead out of the building. At least you've got a chance of fitting that rather than a stop-end.

And for anyone else thinking of attempting this:
if this is the hot side an thers hot water active then dont attempt until youve got cool water - beware of scaldin yourself, never snatch any heatin pipework.

To expand, the stopcock idea is the best route. Set up the stopcock inlet with the nut and olive in the perfect position, otherwise you will be im a world of trouble. Set up, check and practise on spare pipe. Ram a short piece of pipe into a hose and secure with jubilee clip. Fit a nut and olive on to the pipe and tighten onto the outlet of the stopcock. Make sure everything is flexible. MAKE SURE COCK IS OPEN. Cut into the live pipe with a cutter. When the water come you will know it. Quickly push cock onto live pipe.

UNLESS THE PRESSURE IS LOW, YOU WILL NEVER GET A CAP ON WITHOUT A FLOOD. AND IF YOU DO, WHAT NEXT?

Finally, and MOST important. have your mate stand well clear of the action when he is shooting the video. Remember - it might be worth £500 on telly