Unusual pipe - explanation?

Tony Shupenko

Never saw this before (20+ years). Looking at a 1950's home and what I thought was a damaged (crimped) main water pipe. Closer exam makes it appear that this is some type of unsual pipe end - purposely formed this way. Any reason why? See attached photo.



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Paul Fredricks_3

Just a guess

Maybe it's an engineered flow restrictor? Maybe the local pressure is high and that's their way of reducing flow.

IDK

Unknown

Another guess

Could it have been "swedged" to increase the length? Tough to do if it`s type K.
BTW-Is that black foundation-coating on the inside, what`s with that?

Dave

clammy

lead main repair

The only time i have seen this is when some one does a lead wipe repair on a lead main ,usually when it's like that the wipe joint is in the foundation wall ,the smaller diameter is so it fits inside the original lead main ,this was at a older home correct ,i have a couple of older homes that have lead mains and one has a repair simalar to that peace and good luck clammy

hot_rod

perhaps it had another ground clamp

at that spot, once upon a time?

hot rod

Unknown

look like

Look like at once upon a time, old glav or lead service pipe had sprung a leak, so they clamped on to copper pipe and pull the old service thru the ground. Hence, leaving the clamp mark/damaged pipe.

Tony Shupenko

I thought of this - maybe you are correct.

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Tony Shupenko

The home is not old enough (for my area) to have had a lead pipe. The pattern on the copper is the same on top and bottom - small rectangular surface protrusions are present and the side indentations apepar to be almost identical (reason why I thought this was purposely formed.

Is it reasonable to conclude that no matter the reason, that this is still undesirable - wouldn't there be some pipe weakening?

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hot_rod

Or someone had a channelocks on 'er

while they tightened the other clamp down.

hot rod

Tony Shupenko

Black stuff

I occcasionally see this as a water proofing method

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Paul Fredricks_3

Yeah

But inside? I assume that was inside.

Tony Shupenko

Yes - that is on the inside

...See it on occassion. I think that it was a 60's to 70's thing.

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bob_50

How about

maybe someone used a pinch-off tool to shut the water off while making a repair.

Ed_26

pinched

Yup - looks like it to me .... just did one last week - unable to operate curb stop, main valve leaking - needed replacement.

Tony Shupenko

Should the whole lateral

.. from the street be replaced?

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yourchizzler

pipe has been bent, but check that grounding elecrode out 911

looks to me someone bent or wrenched the pipe, the green oxidation on the bottom of the pipe is corrosion from the concrete and a leak is very possible in the future, also more importantly have your local electrician check out your corroded grounding elecrode ( thats the wire and clamp on the pipe) this protects you from getting electrocuted if the neutral to the house fails or breaks, the power flows to the street main and back feeds to you neighbors house protecting you and your house. this is the main Issue I see from your pic. If you loose your neutral now all hell will break loose at that spot and could cause a fire. make sure he's licensed. take care and good luck.

Tony Shupenko

I pretty much

...told the client to get the pipe replaced and to get a licensed electrician to update the bonding and grounding system. Thanks for your input.

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[Deleted User]

BINGA!!

Pop Warner hits another home run. The utility companys carry an emergency water service crimpning/re-rounding tool with them in case they have to do an emergency shut off without the benefit of an upstream cut off valve. The tool first crimps the pipe shut and allows the plumber to replace the service valve. Once replaced, you looses the screw clamp, turn the tool sideways 90 degrees and tighten it half way to re-round (square?) the pipe. As for replacement, I doubt it would be necessary to replace the whole service, unless it is at the age where it needs to be replaced anyway.

I would suspect that there is a fair amount of hydraulic errosion corrosion right at the crimp, and the service may very well be weak at that point. A person could dig up the service, just out side of the home, and silver solder a new piece on where it penetrates the foundation.

But again, if there is no shut off upstream o fthe homes main water shut off, other than the corporation cock at the main, your options are extremely limited. You could freeze it... or not.

ME

bob young

DEFORMED PIPING

there is also no sleeve on the point of entry. the concrete will rot it out eventually. replace section or if short run entire service .