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Discomark
19th January 2015, 08:15 AM
Had a small hole appear in a copper water pipe at home. It was underground and amazing the Wife heard it and no other evidence of a leak. Anyway I made it worse when trying to seal it so had to cut out a section of pipe. Last time this happened a few years back I got some pre soldered 'Yorkshire fittings' and just used a propane torch to make up a new section. I can't seem to find these fittings anymore and someone mentioned they have been banned in Oz? maybe due to lead content? I can still buy some from EBAY but they are in UK.
Reluctant to use compression fittings as it will be buried.
Cheers
Mark
numpty
19th January 2015, 08:28 AM
If they're still available, any decent plumbers supplier should have them. Failing that, ordinary solderless fittings are easy to use. You just need some flux and solder and roughly the same heat as required for the Yorkshires.

Compression fittings are a doddle and seal well.
p38arover
19th January 2015, 08:43 AM
I doubt Yorkshire fittings use lead based solder any more. Lead-tin solder in potable water fittings has been banned in the UK since the Eighties.

They now use a lead-free tin-copper solder in capillary fittings.

If you have a propane torch, you could silver solder the fittings.

The problem will be any water still in the pipes getting into the joint while soldering. Water shouldn't be a problem with compression fittings.
DeanoH
19th January 2015, 10:46 AM
Use compression fittings, as Ron says water in the pipe will make it very difficult if not impossible to get sufficient heat into the joint to properly melt the solder, lead free or not.

Deano :)
jimr1
19th January 2015, 11:19 AM
If you want to go down that road and do a repair , use compression fittings . Of course you can use capillary fittings , but as been said you have to make sure there is no water in the pipe , plus you need a lot of heat . As you say you have done a repair on this pipe before , You may have to face the fact this pipe is coming to the end of It's life , good luck . Jim
jx2mad
19th January 2015, 11:41 AM
I heard from a plumber friend that Yorkshire fittings were banned because the ordinary solder joints were too soft and often cracked if pipes had any movement. All joints now had to be silver soldered which gave them a lot stronger joint. Jim
V8Ian
19th January 2015, 05:01 PM
Compression fittings are not legal, underground, in Queensland.
worane
19th January 2015, 10:22 PM
legal or not ,they will fix your problem for now.
Think up plan B after you have the leak fixed.
My plan B would be to replace the whole pipe later.
Discomark
21st February 2015, 11:48 AM
Still not got around to doing this job but SWMBO is putting the pressure on :D
Lucky its a vacant Granny flat.
Anyway was in Bunnings the other day and noticed these push on fittings called Smartex. Almost seem to good to be true so wondering if anyone has tried these yet?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17r3AREkals

Bit pricy are around $15 a piece but saves stuffing around if they seal properly.
Rextheute
21st February 2015, 12:04 PM
Yep , good option .
Have used them on caravans and campers - very resilient , just make sure work is clean and cuts are not daggy . .


p.s . read you tilte as 'yorkshire puddings ' which made me a little hungry ....
p38arover
21st February 2015, 01:02 PM
Almost seem to good to be true so wondering if anyone has tried these yet?

I'm using them in the garage on copper pipe which is carrying old engine oil. No leaks yet (been in about 6-8 months) but there is very little pressure involved.
V8Ian
21st February 2015, 02:21 PM
That type of fitting became available ,a few years ago, for truck airlines. I was doubtful that they could seal at 100+ psi, but they do, they are also ADR compliant. The pipe must be cut square and deburred.
scarry
21st February 2015, 02:36 PM
Still not got around to doing this job but SWMBO is putting the pressure on :D
Lucky its a vacant Granny flat.
Anyway was in Bunnings the other day and noticed these push on fittings called Smartex. Almost seem to good to be true so wondering if anyone has tried these yet?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17r3AREkals

Bit pricy are around $15 a piece but saves stuffing around if they seal properly.

They look like they may work on the same principle as John Guess fittings.We use these on polly pipe,usually at smaller than 3/8" diameter.They are great.

Most plumbers use a special tool these days that crimps the copper.Holds heaps of pressure,no heat.Extremely handy as you don't have to empty the pipe of water,which normally had to be done if brazed up.

The name of the tool escapes my memory(seniors disease:(),they have only been on the market for a couple of years.
We have used them on chilled water pipes as well.
p38arover
21st February 2015, 02:53 PM
Kempress?

http://www.kembla.com.au/kempress/kempress-copper-fittings/
scarry
21st February 2015, 03:17 PM
Kempress?

KemPress? Copper Fittings - MM Kembla (http://www.kembla.com.au/kempress/kempress-copper-fittings/)

Yep i think that is it,does up to 32mm.
One of the mechanical plumbers that we use has one that is a different brand,maybe Rigid.

The young blokes soon won't know how to braze...