Victorian pipes - non-standard!

[Anonymous]

Can you help? We have Victorian/edwardian pipes, with a back boiler which can be drained by a pipe on the ground floor. The stop cock on that (22mm) pipe won't close properly and there is an exposed outlet (which is rusty and threaded) from that stop cock which leaks constantly.

The diameter of the outlet (from the outside of the thread) is 40mm or 1 11/16ths.

Does anyone know of a stockist of "stop ends" for such an old threaded pipe? We have tried the local plumbers merchants, and they only seem to stock for new pipework.

If all else fails, I would like to block up that threaded pipe, until we can effect a permanent solution. A large cork, cut to size (buttered up with a grab adhesive) springs to mind, but if anyone has a better suggestion, I would be very grateful.

Thanks

Ross

 

[Anonymous]

What's the pipe made of? Is it lead? If so, you could squeeze the end flat and carefully fold it over. If this doesn't entirely seal it you could fill the flattened end with solder. Ditto if it's copper.

 

[Anonymous]

David

Thanks for the post. The pipe itself seems to be old copper (its greenish) but the problem lies in the outlet from the stopcock which is like an external garden tap, a short round threaded outlet which runs off the stopcock.

Ross

 

[Anonymous]

OK Ross - I've had another thought. If the basis of your problem is the fact that the stopcock won't close properly, why not try restoring the stopcock to effective use? There are many different types of this kind of valve, but if you can drain down the system, you could then take the valve apart and try to repair it. This could be difficult - or it might not be. You might even find that a good clean-out is all it needs.

 

[Anonymous]

Copper pipes were in imperial sizes (1/2", 3/4", 1", etc) until 1970 until they changed to metric (15mm, 22mm, 28mm, etc.,) sizes in 1970. If there's enough pipe to connect to, you can get imperial to metric conversion fittings, either solder or compression. You can get imperial size compression olives to fit into metric fittings. Compression would probably be best if you're not confident about soldering or the system is difficult to drain. Any good plumber's merchants would stock them, or try BES.

http://www. bes.ltd.uk

You'd need a micrometer or vernier calipers to confirm the pipes are imperial;they probably are.

>The diameter of the outlet (from the outside of >the thread) is 40mm or 1 11/16ths.

Are you sure? That is a very big outlet fitting for a 3/4" pipe? Sure it's not an adaptor screwed into the stopcock? Plumbing pipe threads are generally BSP, I can't find a thread table to check what that might be (1 1/2" maybe?). BES would stock BSP blanking caps if you can identify the thread & size. See if you can get a male threaded fitting to compare it with. Use PTFE tape and pipe jointing compound (Boss White or similar)

If you have to resort to dismantling the stopcock, you need to ensure to support it with a second wrench, or you'll twist it off the pipe. They were supplied new with leather washers. A neoprene tap washer will probably seal it. Be prepared to find that it won't come apart.

 

[Anonymous]

Do you know, that is exactly what they had to do with Brunhilde when her pipes got bunged up! But, the stopcock bit did not work quite as well as it perhaps should have.

Grimmers

 

[Anonymous]

>The diameter of the outlet (from the outside of >the thread) is 40mm or 1 11/16ths.

Possibly 1 1/4" BSP:- 41.91mm/ 1.65" thread OD.

The BES link has an space in it, should be;
http://www.bes.ltd.uk

 

[Anonymous]

Dear Aidan

Thanks for all the advice.

Yes, the outlet is that wide; at one point it was probably an external pipe, as it is an extension.

I will look up the website too.

Ross

 

[Anonymous]

Dear David

Thanks for this and the previous post; good thought about re-conditioning of the stopcock

 

[Anonymous]

Come to think of it, it must be a union fitting. The idea is that the stopcock can be easily removed and replaced by undoing the union threads. The commonest type is the flat-faced union on domestic central heating pumps (1 1/2" BSP). Someone has removed the other half of the union. If it's a flat-faced union you may be able to get a matching malleable iron union in a pipe fittings suppliers (BSS, Plumbase, Plumb Center, etc). They're not much used in domestic plumbing now, other than on pumps.
Sorry to hog the thread.

 

[Anonymous]

Dear Aidan

Hog away! Thanks for all the thought that has gone into your replies; much appreciated what you and others do to answer all the questions on the forum.

Ross

 

[Anonymous]

If her stopcock didn't work, presumably there are some junior Grimmerses to prove it.

 

[Anonymous]

Perhaps just a couple of drips here or there . .

Grimmers