Pipework Tips

a). You can sometimes find a plastic fitting, with a plastic thread that is fitted to copper pipework with a brass nut. The brass nut will slice through the plastic thread very easily and will cause a leak. To stop this you should always tighten up the nut by hand gently. If the nut is difficult to turn you are probably ‘threading the joint’, this means that the brass is carving its own way through the plastic and not following the thread. If this is the case, undo the nut, make sure that the pipe is going into the fitting straight and not at an angle, look for damage and start again. If possible try and have the fitting itself quite loose so that you can be certain that the pipe and fitting are lined up correctly, this cannot be done with taps but is the best approach with ball valves. A Waltham Forest Plumber uses plastic pipework frequently.


b). A good way of shifting a blockage in pipework is a water vacuum cleaner set to blow. You must ensure all overflows are covered and plugs are fully closed. On a solvent welded pipe this approach can work well, but its not a good idea for push-fit pipework as it can blow the joints of the end of the pipes. Be aware that it does make a mess but is effective. Waltham Forest Plumbers are a professional service.


c). It is quite a hard job to remove paint from copper pipes, but is essential if you want no leaks from your pipework. Open a set of pump pliers and gently grip the pipe and start to turn the pliers back and forth and this usually causes the paint to flake off.


d). In the case of hot water pipes, and also central heating pipework, make sure that the joints are still dry once the pipework is hot as it is quite common for it to be dry when the water is cold but leak when the water is hot.