How to stop water when soldering pipe

Dairon421

Hey guys so I am installing a water heater and saw a leak on the main line. I turned the water off to the whole system but I can't solder because water is still coming through. What are your techniques for this problem?

Ironman

Moist white bread molded into a tight ball and packed into the pipe firmly. The water will dissolve it when it's turned back on.

Try to get it a couple of inches away from the heat.

hot_rod

A trickle or a stream. The bread trick may work unless you have a stream and some pressure.

If it is copper or galvanized, a freeze cuff, pex can sometimes be pinched with a special vicegrip tool for that purpose.

Press tools are another way to add or replace a valve with some flow in the pipe.

I've also used compression fittings as well as the Sharkgrip, in a bind. You can buy ball valves with press, grip or compression fittings at the box stores.

unclejohn

If you are going to add a new shut off and the bread won't suck up the water you can stuff a rag into and through the valve and solder right quick.

EBEBRATT-Ed

If it's just water in the pipe and not a valve leaking by sometimes you can take a hanger or two off and let the pipe sag so the water will run out.

If your trying to patch a leak just cut the pipe get the water out and put a coupling in

STEVEusaPA

Jet Swet, press fitting, or have someone come over with a curb key.

JUGHNE

What has worked for me is to loosen the fitting on the water meter outlet and catch the water stream in a bucket or pan. Or if you're lucky have a floor drain close.
This will get the main pipe dry enough to solder on.

You should replace the main service valve also. You would need to shut off the curb stop outside for this.
I usually put a hose bid on the main right after the water meter. This is handy for any future work to drain back piping.

EBEBRATT-Ed

If you loosen up the meter connections to drain water put a pair of jumper cables across the water meter first. Then remove them when the fittings are tightened

426hemi

Don’t attempt without shutting off the water, if you don’t have a curb key get one there under a 100 bucks  imagine the damage if the supply line let go and you had to wait a hour plus to get someone to come shut it off cheapest insurance you can buy

SlamDunk

Sharkbites in a pinch. (Always keep a variety of those in the house! ).

Take a breather then try the bread thing or call a plumber with a propress or a freezer.

JUGHNE

Or you can install a union, the 2 pieces allow you to push the pipes up, keeps the end of pipe open for steaming and then you screw it together.

Solid_Fuel_Man

I've used the bread trick many times with good success. Its suprising how many slices of bread you can stuff into a 3/4" copper pipe! 

Glenn_16

Remember once asking the client for a piece of bread and she asked if I wanted a sandwich!

NoelAnderson

Before using white bread, I will use my large shop vac to suck out most of the water in the line.

mattmia2

That is good for draining water out of a low spot in a line if you don't have compressed air available as well.

Intplm.

Vent the system from a high point faucet and find the lowest point to drain it like a low-level sink or outside faucet. Leave these on and allow time for the water to drain. Be sure that the valve to shut off the water is tightly closed. You can use bread stuffed into the pipe if very little water is trickling out.

You can also use a tool called a jet swet pictured here. Be sure to purchase the correct size.

dopey27177

Back in the day there was a tool that allowed you to stop water flow. I used this tool to replace main valves up to 11/4". You inserted the rod with several rubber stops that when you operated the expansion nut it create a seal against water pressures up to 80 psig. This tool is no longer available but a better one can be purchased. It is more versatile a little pricey for a home owner but great for a service contractor. See attachment.

Jake