Pipes

PIPES

An emergency repair on a straight piece of pipe can be done by cutting a piece of hose lengthways then fastening it tightly around the pipe, ideally with hose clips.

If you need to unfasten a joint in a pipe to make a repair, it is well worth marking the position of the pipe on the joint so that when you refasten it, you can avoid overtightening the joint and also be reassured that the new joint is broadly the same fit as the previous one.

When bending a copper pipe, using a pipe spring is essential unless you are using a pipe former. Bend the pipe slightly further than required then ease it back. This will help the pipe settle in the right position and make it easier to remove the spring.

Most external downpipes are plastic nowadays and should just pull apart very easily. If you come across a cast iron pipe where the joint is sealed, you will need to heat it up with a blowtorch to loosen any sealant. It does not usually have to be heated too much in order to achieve this.

When using draining rods for moving a blockage in external pipes and drains, always turn the rods clockwise to prevent them unscrewing at the joints.