Easiest way to repair this please!

[cr0ft]

Hi all, the builder doesn't have a clue what pipe sizes it is. He thinks it's black Alcathene onto copper pipe but didn't even seem sure of that. Any idea of the quickest, easiest way to make a decent repair on this? I don't do much underground stuff at all to be honest so any advice appreciated. It's an hour's drive each way to the job. Being paid in cash when we arrive but it looks as though it will be a pig to repair..
From my limited experience of these leaks it strikes me that someone has used a normal compression joint underground which is why it's leaked. Correct??

 

[stani]

Philmac Transition couplings from 21-27mm then adaptor to copper

 

[Ray Stafford]

Chat your merchant up and take a range of Polyfast or Philmac fittings and inserts on the understanding that you can credit back whatever you don't use (or in the case of the inserts, whatever you don't open).

If the builder can uncover the black alkathene for 1m length and wipe it clean, it should be marked with size, class and density.

 

[kris]

Cant you isolate the leak , disconnect the coupling and get a true measurement and look at the pipe and the brass fitting which to me looks like a 22mm brass coupling but as we know looks can be decieving, most merchants will sock what you need, if you have a few merchants near by then youd even get away with cutting a piece out and taking it with you but if havent a few and only one merchant then do as ray says,

 

[cr0ft]

The builders have measured the pipes on my request. Outer diameters are 25mm for black alkathene and 18mm for copper. Has anyone heard of 18mm copper pipe before lol.

 

[stani]

That does look like it's got 15x22 ef reducer bet he's measured the 15mm socket bit

 

[cr0ft]

I agree! Bloody builders. That makes sense though.

Black alkathene doesn't have inserts in it, right?

 

[stani]

That's right, just take a transition coupling it will fit the black and take a 15 mm copper insert job done, one of the better inventions.

 

[cr0ft]

All sorted. I can't get across tomorrow so I am sending the lad who works with me over. Just wanted to make sure I didn't set him up to fail. Does the black alkathene bend easily to get it into the larger underground coupling?? I presume a couple feet of it being exposed will be enough to bend it into the x-dimension of the fitting?

 

[stani]

Yes easily done

 

[lame plumber]

get a bigger hole or give the lad an old drysuit, horrid job, I keep a selection of all bits for that sunday call that comes every 6 months or so when some numpty decides to plant a new bush on the corner of their house

 

[Ermintrude]

The universal will slide over the pipe easily. Get a 4" g clamp and some 1/2 round 1" dowel . Squeeze black off and do it live. 12" of channel locks and a 14" set of stillys at the ready. I would just chop back the black as the olive will have made a mess. Fit a stop tap then u can joint on to copper at your leisure. Either use a bit of 4" plastic to make a chamber and fit a lid of just backfill?

 

[stani]

get a bigger hole or give the lad an old drysuit, horrid job, I keep a selection of all bits for that sunday call that comes every 6 months or so when some numpty decides to plant a new bush on the corner of their house

Exactly what I do because they never cut through the pipe during the day near to a merchants, it's always late and miles from anywhere, I carry a couple of size transitions and 2 short lengths of blue, only a metre 20 & 25 doesn't get in the way like a50m roll, find that copes with 99% of the jobs! or at least a temp repair.

 

[stani]

Anyone else noticed lames only 22 short of the 10000 club.

 

[parkesy_plumb]

get spanners on, it be reyt! ha no from the pic you cant tell much get them to dig it out more and like ray says there will be markings on. looks to me like a 22mm compression copper and alkathene so a philmac 21 to 27 would get it with the copper attachment.

 

[cr0ft]

The lad sorted it out today. A nice job too. Builder is very happy and will be using him again.

I've had to give him a pay rise today, he is doing very well!! Not many 2nd year apprentices you can give a full day's worth of work to and leave them to crack on with confidence.

 

[Ermintrude]

The lad sorted it out today. A nice job too. Builder is very happy and will be using him again.

I've had to give him a pay rise today, he is doing very well!! Not many 2nd year apprentices you can give a full day's worth of work to and leave them to crack on with confidence.

Not many full time lads u can

 

[IDCHAPPY]

My 3rd year apprentice would have shyte himself at that

 

[cr0ft]

He did really well. Seen the photo of the repair and it's as good as I could have done to be honest.

 

[cr0ft]

For completeness, here's the job he did. Not at all bad I would say!