Sunday 11 January 2015

Pipe burst - Plumbing DIY


This guide will not only save you stress, money and time without one of the most basic resources we need, but it will also provide you with a permanent and professional fix that far outweighs the use and expense of temporary tapes and pastes.

Fix time: 10 minutes
Fix cost: est. £12

Steps:
  1. Isolate the water at the mains stopcock inside the property (usually under the kitchen sink).
  2. Open the taps (one upstairs and one on the ground floor) to fully drain residual water from the pipe work.
  3. Cut the required section out of the pipework that has burst, ensuring that you have taken out enough for the slip coupling to fit into.
  4. Compress the slip coupling and push fit onto one end of the cut pipework.
  5. Extend the slip coupling and fit onto the opposite end of the pipework.
  6. Give a sharp and sturdy push to each end to ensure the coupling has fully seated onto the pipes.
  7. Close the taps that you opened.
  8. Turn the mains water back on. It is best to have a second person to keep an eye on the coupling whilst the pipework comes under pressure. Initially turn the stopcock on about 1/4 of a turn, leave for 15 seconds, then if no leaks occur turn the stopcock on fully, then back a 1/4 of a turn.
Tools and materials required:
 15mm or 22mm John Guest slip coupling
 Pipe cutter(s) 15mm or 22mm


Tips:
Remember to go to each tap and slowly turn them on to release any trapped air... This will save people getting splashed when the air is unknowingly released!

I also keep to hand babies nappies or incontinence sheets... they are the perfect solution for soaking up a reasonable quantity of water without using good towels or numerous rolls of kitchen/toilet paper.

Always keep a slip coupling to hand, if you use one then you will know it's value and hopefully you will replace it to hold as a spare!

No comments:

Post a Comment