Can I freeze a lead water pipe to change the shut off valve?

[plasticpigeon]

I think this may be a question for Doug. I want to change the valve as the old one is a huge tap and doesn't work. I would rather remove it and replace the valve than just put a second one in line in order to make more space in the cupboard.

 

[DJH]

Yep...

Doug

PS If you are soldering a short length of copper into the lead pipe and the ice plug is letting by water, stuff some bread in the pipe and let it swell up for a while and then you can carry on soldering. When the water is turned back back on again the bread will wash through without blocking ball valves etc...

 

[plasticpigeon]

Thanks for the reassurance. That sounds a good tip! There is already a copper pipe soldered into the lead mains which I hope is long enough to cut just under the nut of the present valve and fit another, so thankfully no soldering will be needed, just a way of stopping the water while I'm cutting. I'm glad freezing will not damage the lead pipe as the water company stop cock shuts off supply to 6 houses, which would make me even less popular with the neighbours (or 1 neighbour actually who is annoyed with me as I sometimes park in "her" parking space on the public road!!!).

 

[Feltwell]

I'd still make sure that the water company tap is accessible & useable and have the tools ready to turn it off quickly if necessary!

I had to dig mine out, the valve box in the pavement was completely full of muck and gravel. The valve itself was a bit seized, but in the absence of the proper tool to turn the valve I found that a big socket from an old socket set fitted nicely over the valve handle, and with a tommy bar gave me enough leverage to gently persuade it to & fro until it was free.

 

[DJH]

I'm a bit out of touch now but I seem to recall that there is a requirement that whenever work is carried out on lead supply pipes that they should be replaced however I suppose you will be working on copper pipe though...

I'm a bit short on lead at the moment... ... I've been busy casting some sundials including a wall type that Mrs DJH has taken a fancy to and a counterweight ball for a gate latch. I won 1st prize in the Hard Handicrafts section at our Flower Show for one I made...

Doug

 

[LadyArowana]

I won 1st prize in the Hard Handicrafts section at our Flower Show for one I made...

Doug

Congratulations. I wonder if there could be an idea for a TV programme there, I would much rather see people compete at doing that sort of thing than baking cakes, but probably just me :lol: it usually is.

 

[Feltwell]

I won 1st prize in the Hard Handicrafts section at our Flower Show for one I made...

Doug

I'm less ambitious, I want to enter the "Easy Handicrafts" section.

 

[DJH]

The other section was...Soft Handicraft. Too macho for that I'm afraid. My feminine side got thrown away with the old hip.

Doug

 

[LadyArowana]

The other section was...Soft Handicraft. Too macho for that I'm afraid. My feminine side got thrown away with the old hip.

Doug

I'm guessing you have never been a member of a quilt group, the "craft" maybe soft, but you wouldn't want to upset some of those ladies, brutal, really brutal, and don't get me started on the fallout from who gets "best of show", "visitors choice" etc.