Suggestions for improvement welcome...

NT


'''How to repair a leaking pipe''' - a beginner's guide


[[image:IMAG2567-3 pipe oops.jpg|600px]]

[[image:IMAG2574-3 oops.jpg|600px]]

The homeowner decided to install a fountain by wacking a [[nail]] through a [[floor]]board and into a [[pipe]].

[[image:IMAG2572-3 Supplies.jpg|600px]]

Parts & [[tools]] - a couple of fairly big [[screwdriver]]s were also used as levers to move the [[pipe]] a tiny bit so the [[nut]] could turn.

You should be able to do it without spare olives, but I've had enough incidences of needing a new olive to always take spares.

[[image:IMAG2573-3 Mark pipe.jpg|600px]]

Mark where to cut the [[pipe]]. Usually a rotating wheel type pipe cutter woud be used, but here there was no space for one. An oscillating [[saw]] was used. A hack[[saw]] is also possible, but avoid putting force on the pipe by twisting it, you don't want the soft copper to distort.

Olives won't fit onto a sawn [[pipe]] end, so the pipe ends were filed to remove any external burr. This required getting the file in at a few odd angles.

[[image:IMAG2575-3.jpg|600px]]

Slide [[nut]] then olive on

[[image:IMAG2576-3.jpg|600px]]

Add linseed [[putty]].

Some people think you should never use gloop with [[compression fitting]]s because they were designed to be used dry. Choice is yours, fwiw I find they're more reliable on used pipes with putty.

[[image:IMAG2578-3 tighten nut.jpg|600px]]

Tighten each [[nut]]; the 2nd [[wrench]] stops the new plumbing rotating. I removed a 2nd [[floor]]board to get enough [[tool]] access. I also cut a quarter inch off the side of one of the [[wood]]en joist notches so the new pipe could move very slightly to enable everything to line up & the nut to turn.

[[image:IMAG2581-3 pipe repaired.jpg|600px]]

Job done!

This was a [[heating]] system pipe. So refill & repressurise heating according to [[boiler]] instructions. Add [[corrosion inhibitor]] ditto.

[[Nail]] floorboard back down, then you can repeat the whole process.


[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Plumbing]]
[[Categoryomestic Hot Water]]
[[Category:Repair]]