Cold water pipes blown apart - since fitting water meter

[Ibts]

Hi guys,

My parents have a combi boiler which was installed about 12 years ago and has been working fine. The other morning there was a bang and water started pouring out under the boiler.

I went over to help them out and had a quick look, 2 soldered joint on the cold water feed to the boiler had come apart completely. They got this fixed by a plumber but once the water was back on more leeks were found. Another cold water pipe on the sink in the downstairs loo had come apart and behind the washing machine in the kitchen was also leaking. That's been fixed today so now the water is back on again we're wondering if we're going to find any more leaks.

The only change to the water system recently was the fitting of a water meter to their supply in the street.

Anybody got any idea what could have happened here?

Many thanks

 

[PlumbBobBob]

sounds like an increase in pressure since the water meter was fitted. most likely the stopcock outside wasn't turned on fully or partially blocked causing pressure drop. when the new one was fitted and opened fully the pressure had to go somewhere i.e. leaks showing up. I would expect to see a few more to be honest.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yea not being soldered right from day one

See this all the time normally straight after combi conversations (from gravity systems)

 

[Chalked]

It isn't the fault of higher pressure. Even though this was the instigator. The fault lies with the poor quality of the soldering and joints in the house. Most plumbing can survive 3 x, or more of the pressure of what the supply can give.

 

[jtsplumbing]

Be interesting to see some of the old joints that were replaced.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

It isn't the fault of higher pressure. Even though this was the instigator. The fault lies with the poor quality of the soldering and joints in the house. Most plumbing can survive 3 x, or more of the pressure of what the supply can give.

yes of course you're right

 

[Chalked]

yes of course you're right

I'm wrong most of the time. My wife says so.:90:

 

[Chalked]

yes of course you're right

I'm wrong most of the time. My wife says so.:90:

 

[zzzjim]

If there's the slightest sniff of gas ( consider similar workmanship on other areas in copper ! )

... if old may not be case with steel pipe ..

 

[zzzjim]

...

 

[joni os]

Water meter will have non return valve. Cold water enters building,warms and expands. Unless mini expansion vessel on cold main, pressure will find weakest point. Made worse if water hammer also involved.

 

[zzzjim]

Water meter will have non return valve. ......

Any Flexi hoses,electric showers and washing machine hoses take a little of expansion !

...until they stretch !

 

[zzzjim]

...

 

[Allgoode]

You could have a pressure regulator fitted on the incoming cold mains along with an expansion vessel.

There is one specifically for combi's or you could use the type that is commonly used on the 15ltr undersink water heaters.

This should take any hammer/shocks out of the equation and also allow you to find the sweet point for your old pipework that will not cause more leaks,

Thanks,

Andy (Allgoode)

 

[Allgoode]

You could have a pressure regulator fitted on the incoming cold mains along with an expansion vessel.

There is one specifically for combi's or you could use the type that is commonly used on the 15ltr undersink water heaters.

This should take any hammer/shocks out of the equation and also allow you to find the sweet point for your old pipework that will not cause more leaks,

Thanks,

Andy (Allgoode)

 

[Stigster]

sounds like an increase in pressure since the water meter was fitted. most likely the stopcock outside wasn't turned on fully or partially blocked causing pressure drop. when the new one was fitted and opened fully the pressure had to go somewhere i.e. leaks showing up. I would expect to see a few more to be honest.

stopcock just cracked open or fully open the pressure will be the same either way.

 

[zzzjim]

THE

.... hammer/shocks .....

Andy (Allgoode)

are probably worsened by having the stop-cock wide open , allowing a more violent result from any device or user
that demands a high flow rate then stops dead , (modern washing machines ) , the one way valve remembering this max pressure , till it finds somewhere to weep / spurt . " Hydraulic-slam" ... probably a new word !

 

[zzzjim]

...