Leaking lead pipe. How to stop it!

[saabuldin]

In my garden I have lead pipe going across to neighbours. It supplies my house first then it carries on to 2 more houses.

Just under the neighbours brick wall there's a leak. I was digging the ground and I think with slight movement it started leaking. The problem is that the leak is right under the wall and neighbours side is all concreted. I have managed to chop a hole on my side to to get access to the pipe but I only have about 4 inches of pipe from neighbours concrete to the leak. How can I stop the leak. Is there a liquid thing which I can pour around it and wait till it hardens.

I don't want to replace the pipe as it will cost too much and I will have to contact the landlords of the neighbours as the house are rented. It's too much hassle. I just want to stop the leak and concrete it. If anything happens to it in future with the leak then be it.

Just a quick fix I want. I know everyone is gona say no can't touch it, need new line but I can't do that so that is not an option.

 

[SimonG]

Its not a quick fix. If what you say is true and you havent caught it then the pipe is shot and needs fixing properly.

 

[smtplumbing]

there is nothing you can seal with it bar denzso tap to wrap round it, as a temp fix the other thing is get the water board out as it feeds other house they may need to fix it

 

[TOP TAP]

Not the best way , but if you can get on to the pipe, cut out leaky section and use lead locks to replace section then wrap in denso tape and hope for the best . But it will need replacing one day . If it's before your stop tap , can,t the water board do the job for you or fit you a meter and feed your house separately ?

 

[albatross]

As smt said defo ring water board. As it is lead and a shared supply they may replace it for free. If not they will still have a look for free and may have some advice.

 

[Ollieg]

Man up, get a UTC the correct size and get wet.
Only if the lead is in good condition.

 

[saabuldin]

What's a utc

 

[Ollieg]

Universal transition coupling

 

[wetdrip]

Universal Transition Coupling



SNAP!

 

[Ollieg]

Big bum fitting that does its job very well.

 

[saabuldin]

I've only got about 4 inches on one side of the leak. Is that enough to use utc

 

[Ermintrude]

Or a lead lock. Is it a hole? If it a pinhole shape a bit of broom Handel into a spike and hammer it in. Or gently scuff the the lead over the hole.

 

[saabuldin]

Or a lead lock. Is it a hole? If it a pinhole shape a bit of broom Handel into a spike and hammer it in. Or gently scuff the the lead over the hole.

Whats the difference between lead lock and utc. I've used leadlock before. But I only have about 4 inches of lead pipe on one side of leak. Would lead lock be possible of utc be easier?

 

[Ermintrude]

Lead lock easy on 4" unless it a 6" service !

 

[Rich8]

This might sound stupid but if it a tear in the lead get a bit of bread yes bread force it in the tear / hole then lead solder over it the bread should hold the water back while you solder it

 

[tamz]

This might sound stupid but if it a tear in the lead get a bit of bread yes bread force it in the tear / hole then lead solder over it the bread should hold the water back while you solder it

Don't believe everything you read on the internet :smile: One of these https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=p...Qfkt4C4CA&ved=0CEQQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=931&dpr=1 Take your pick

 

[saabuldin]

Don't believe everything you read on the internet :smile: One of these https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=p...Qfkt4C4CA&ved=0CEQQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=931&dpr=1 Take your pick

I'm at it now. I managed to do a wipe joint with solder. I switched water on and the leak is now a pin hole leak. So I'm gona turn of water and do another solder joint. It should stop. I will keep you updated

 

[saabuldin]

OK just soldered over it again and it's still leaking but very minute. 1 drop every few seconds. So I'm gona leave it like that and patch the hole with cement.

 

[chris watkins]

I'm at it now. I managed to do a wipe joint with solder. I switched water on and the leak is now a pin hole leak. So I'm gona turn of water and do another solder joint. It should stop. I will keep you updated

So another WRAS approved repair completed then, still could be worse he could have put in a section of copper!! :35:

 

[Ermintrude]

Don't be an idiot. That drip will cause untold damage. Get a file remove solder and re wipe.

 

[saabuldin]

That's the problem. I only got about 4 inches on length coming from neighbour side. So not enough to work with lead lock.

 

[Killy Bing]

*shakes head*

the drip wont stay a drip.
give it a year you'll be buesting up the concrete

 

[saabuldin]

OK what I will do then is fill it with soil and slab on top, then I have access afterwards. I think that be best.

 

[saabuldin]

I've been struggling with it for a while and I'm not gona touch it now. It's much better then before and I have access so I can redo it next year if that's the case.

 

[SimonG]

Cut out damaged section and fix with new bit of pipe and leadlocks or philmacs.

4" of pipe to work with is plenty.

 

[lame plumber]

whats hard about digging a trench, laying some mdpe and joining both ends, least then you can forget about it and not lose your water supply mid winter and be sloshing about knee deep in mud

 

[smtplumbing]

Don't leave it leaking cause. It will burst fully you will panick water board will come out shutoff then waterless

 

[AtlasGas]

Whats wrong with a good old jubilee clip and a piece of insertion rubber??

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

i would clamp it if you dont feel cutting it.

 

[albatross]

Why is is so hard to ring the water board? You may get a new free pipe!

 

[plumber0808]

This has got to be a wind up, I know you don't want to hear it but it needs fixing.

Its a shared mains so the water board will not do much as it is the responsibility of the households it supplies.
The water board is the stoptap in the road and then up to the first boundary.

Its worth a phone call before you bury it as they might be nice and repair the leak free of charge, you don't know if you don't ask.

 

[Crinkmeister]

OK what I will do then is fill it with soil and slab on top, then I have access afterwards. I think that be best.

Look forward to your garden pond in a few months.....

 

[saabuldin]

Look forward to your garden pond in a few months.....

Lol me too

 

[thompsonbrown]

I'm at it now. I managed to do a wipe joint with solder. I switched water on and the leak is now a pin hole leak. So I'm gona turn of water and do another solder joint. It should stop. I will keep you updated

Its illegal to solder lead pipes now. If you want to fix it correctly either replace the lead or cut a small section out and use 2 lead locks

 

[tamz]

Why is is so hard to ring the water board? You may get a new free pipe!

Shared supply you wont get nothing except a new connection for free as it is on lead. The repairs or laying of a new pipe is up to all the owners and it is is just about guaranteed there will be some on the line who couldn't get tick on a mars bar never mind pay for a new supply.