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News Flash!
News Flash!
If you went to turn on your outside faucet to start your spring gardening projects and found that you had less water than normal coming out of the faucet and instead saw a growing wet spot through your foundation wall, chances are you have a split pipe.
This will occur when you don't shut off the water supply and drain the water completely from your outside faucet before the winter freeze. The water that stays inside the pipe will freeze through winter. The ice will expand and the pressure will actually cause your pipe to split. When you turn your faucet on in spring you will still get some water outside but much of the water will flow thru the pipe's split first and consequently between your foundation wall.
Most homes around here still have copper pipes and they're more difficult to fix because they require soldering. That being the case I'm going to explain to you how to fix a split copper pipe. Plastic pipes, PCV, are an easier fix that usually just requires some plumber's tape and screwing in the new pipe.
SHUT OFF THE WATER SUPPLY then open all hot and cold-water faucets to allow excess water to drain from pipes. Next you need to remove the split pipe and faucet. You can use a hacksaw or preferably a pipe cutter. Place the open pipe cutter around the spot you want to cut the pipe. Turn the knob of the cutter until the blade bites into the pipe but be careful not to tighten the knob all the way. Continue turning and tightening the knob around the pipe until the pipe is severed.
Remove and screws, seals or fixtures holding the faucet to the outside or inside wall. With the pipe and faucet free at both ends you should be able the remove the whole fixture. Once you do this you'll see the split in the pipe, (see photo). Now measure the diameter and length of the pipe and assembly or just take the whole darn thing to the hardware store for reference and buy a new one. While you're there also purchase a gate valve.
A gate valve is usually installed in the pipe just before the pipe runs to the outside faucet. It has a small gate door inside and when you close the valve the gate comes down and stops the water in the pipe from running to the outside faucet. This way you can keep the water on throughout the rest of the house in the winter and cut off the flow just to the outside faucet. Remember to keep the outside faucet opened slightly so any water left inside will drain out rather than freeze.
To install a gate valve you'd have to cut out a piece of pipe, equal length of your gate valve, just before the pipes bends to run thru the wall. Follow the same cutting instructions as above. Then depending on the fixture and pipe for either the gate valve or the new pipe and faucet, you either screw it in first wrapping some Teflon or plumbers tape around the joint, or you may have to sweat and solder the pipes.
Sweating is the process of connecting copper pipes by heating the metal with a propane torch and drawing molten solder into a pipe-and-fitting joint.
Remember to wear goggles and gloves and to keep a fire extinguisher near by. It's also a good idea to first practice on some scrap pieces of pipe at a workbench. Start by cleaning the outside of the cut pipe ends with an abrasive cloth then scour the insides with a wire pipe brush. Once the pipe ends have been cleaned be careful not to touch them. The oils on your fingers will weaken the joint.
Place the new pipe fixtures where you want them. Brush a thin and even coat of flux over the pipe ends. Excessive flux will cause corrosion, too little will create gaps. (Flux is available at your hardware store in the same section you purchased you torch and solder.) Light your propane torch with a striker. Adjust the flame holding its tip perpendicular to the pipe about a half-inch away, moving it back and forth over the fitting to heat the metal. Touch a piece of solder to the fitting until it melts. Don't overheat the fitting or direct the flame into the socket or at the solder. Remove the solder as soon as capillary action of the flux draws it around the full circumference of the joint completely sealing it. Wipe away excess with a clean cloth.
By: Lisa Alexander
Certified Eco Broker®
