cap off an old lead pipe

[qube_TA]

Hi,

The water supply to my house is lead, it come up about a 2' from the floor in the kitchen and then is coupled to 15mm copper at 90 degrees.

The lead pipe also goes vertically presumably to have fed upstairs, it's been cut off and squashed flat. For some reason this has started leaking, only a slow drip but enough to be a problem.

Would something like this with a 15mm stop end on the other end work: http://www.melimatic.com/LEAD%20LOC%20EXPLODED%20V...

Access is restricted so want something simple.

Thanks in advance.

[Simpo Two]

Do you need special fittings for lead? Assuming it's 15mm like copper, won't a normal stop-end work?

[MrV]

Simpo Two said:

Do you need special fittings for lead? Assuming it's 15mm like copper, won't a normal stop-end work?

Yes you do

OP the lead lock you link to will do the job no problem at all.

[qube_TA]

Simpo Two said:

Do you need special fittings for lead? Assuming it's 15mm like copper, won't a normal stop-end work?

They're not metric as they're ancient, 1" pipe.

B&Q do a lead-copper coupler, going to see if that works, worry is that the pipe isn't going to be perfectly round as lead is very soft.

[robinhood21]

What's wrong with a blowlamp and a stick of white-metal?
But yes OP, that should be fine.

ET, fix smiley.

Edited by robinhood21 on Wednesday 14th April 10:53

[Simpo Two]

MrV said:

Simpo Two said:

Do you need special fittings for lead? Assuming it's 15mm like copper, won't a normal stop-end work?

Yes you do

I deduce now that the lead pipe is not 15mm. However, if it was, is there a technical reason why a 15mm stop end would not work or is it just a size issue?

[qube_TA]

robinhood21 said:

What's wrong with a blowlamp and a stick of white-metal?
But yes OP, that should be fine.

ET, fix smiley.

Edited by robinhood21 on Wednesday 14th April 10:53

Access is a bit too restricted to do something like that

It's going to be fun just cutting the end off the pipe, might attack it with the grinder.

[Simpo Two]

qube_TA said:

It's going to be fun just cutting the end off the pipe, might attack it with the grinder.

Lead is very soft.

Assume this pipe is lead and not iron?

[Dave_ST220]

Iron wouldn't squash flat

[robsartain]

I haven`t seen the B&Q lead coupler, but you can fit an ordinary 15mm coupler on with a little work.

Cut the pipe (with an ordinary pipe cutter) and then use sandpaper round the lead pipe so eventually you will be able to fit a 15mm olive over it. Make sure you PTFE the coupler just to be sure :-)

Its a real pain of a job, so if the B&Q lead coupler works, I would be interested to know as it can take some time to sand down the end of the pipe.

Also I assume the stop cock is the correct side of the lead pipe ? or are you on a water meter and can turn it off in the street ?

[Ferg]

robsartain said:

I haven`t seen the B&Q lead coupler, but you can fit an ordinary 15mm coupler on with a little work.

Cut the pipe (with an ordinary pipe cutter) and then use sandpaper round the lead pipe so eventually you will be able to fit a 15mm olive over it. Make sure you PTFE the coupler just to be sure :-)

Its a real pain of a job, so if the B&Q lead coupler works, I would be interested to know as it can take some time to sand down the end of the pipe.

Also I assume the stop cock is the correct side of the lead pipe ? or are you on a water meter and can turn it off in the street ?

15mm OD lead????? On a water main???

[qube_TA]

Fitted the stop-end, was a PITA to do as the original lead pipe was too big so had to attack it with a dremel, thankfully lead is nice n soft.

Hopefully it's sorted it.

[Muncher]

I'll be doing something similar at the weekend, all our pipes are lead and are coming out but I need to cap off one branch going to a bathroom and airing cupboard.

I'm planning to fold it over and bash it with a hammer, I'll let you know how it goes!

[qube_TA]

Don't, it won't work.

Use one of these http://www.melimatic.com/11.html

[OldSkoolRS]

<Boring hat on> Just to point out that lead dust is nasty stuff so avoid sanding it if at all possible. Better to use wet and dry paper to stop it making dust if you have to smooth it down at all. <Boring hat off>

I used to do lead loading on cars, more durable than filler, but you do have to be careful using lead...

[Grandad Gaz]

qube_TA said:

Fitted the stop-end, was a PITA to do as the original lead pipe was too big so had to attack it with a dremel, thankfully lead is nice n soft.

Hopefully it's sorted it.

I think the fitting you had was too small, rather than the lead being too big

Lead pipe came in different wall thickness. 5lb, 6lb, etc. The heavier it is the thicker the pipe.

[qube_TA]

Perhaps but I could only get one size of lead loc so had no choice.

Still it's been there 18 months and works fine.

[Muncher]

I'm not bothered if it leaks a little, the house is derelict and the whole lot will come out fairly soon.

[Marty63]

had our tap water tested a few years ago

high lead content contributing to ill health

replaced from kitchen to street with the blue polythene/plastic pipe

now zero lead content, taste the difference, feel healthier

£600

[qube_TA]

Always wanted to do that but the thought of digging up the whole drive to do it and how much it would cost means it'll stay there.