How to embed a branch into a water pipe under pressure

Recommendation points

• When you need a tap in the water supply
• What is required for tapping into a metal plumbing
• How to work with metal pipes
• Other case: plastic water pipe

It happens that you have to face the need to insert a new branch into the water supply pipeline. Such work is not difficult, even for a layman, with basic skills and the necessary tools and provided that it is possible to turn off the water supply to the mains without any problems. But what if the line is under pressure?

This happens when the disconnection of water in the main water supply network is impossible or not allowed for some reason. Let’s take a closer look at the algorithm for inserting a tap into a water supply system under pressure.

When you need a tap in the water supply

The tie-in is necessary in most cases related to the reconstruction, renovation of an apartment, the transfer or replacement of communications, the installation of new water consumers, in the case when it is impossible or absent to turn off the inlet tap.

So, the sidebar will be required in such cases:

• connecting a new consumer, for example, a washing machine or dishwasher;
• purchase and launch of new plumbing points – such as a Charcot shower, shower cubicle or bidet;
• redevelopment of housing with a change in the location of sinks, baths, relocation of taps, unification or separation of bathrooms – bathrooms and toilets;
• replacement of pipelines in case of wear or in order to modernize the network.

What is required for tapping into a metal plumbing

In order to embed the branch into a metal (steel, cast iron) internal water supply system, you will need a device such as a saddle clamp with a drill. The collar is collapsible – its parts for fastening to the pipe section are fixed with bolts. Depending on the saddle modification, the clamp may be sold complete with a ratchet, locking bolts and a flush valve.

These blocks are attached to the clamp using rubber gaskets. In addition, seals with a thickness of up to 12 millimeters are used where the clamp fits to the pipe surface. If necessary, the rubber is glued directly to the clamping device, which will make it possible to control the exact position of the gasket during the installation of the saddle clamp.

Clamp selection tip:when purchasing the device, study the condition of the weld at the point of connection of the nipple. Poor stitching can lead to fistula formation.

Some professional masters even advise to choose not a welded, but a riveted clamp. In addition, try to choose a clamp of the appropriate diameter, otherwise you will have to underlay a thick layer of seals.

How to work with metal pipes

In order to cut into a metal water pipe under pressure, you need to carry out several stages of work – preparing the working area, installing a clamp, drilling a pipe and installing a ball valve.

Let’s analyze these stages in detail:

1. Preparation of the working area. At the preparatory stage, before installing the clamp, thoroughly clean the surface of the pipeline from rust and dirt in the work area.

Remember: the condition of old pipes may be unsatisfactory or even emergency. If it is impossible to replace such pipes, do not overdo it when cleaning them to avoid damage to the water supply.

2. Clamp installation. After cleaning the surface of the pipe, attach the fastener to it with further tightening using bolts. A tighter additive will provide alternate tightening of the bolts, one on each side.
3. Drilling a pipe. Using the guide sleeve, we drill a hole in the pipeline, which subsequently needs to be closed with a plug.

Attention! For safety reasons, use a hand or cordless drill.

When the hole is ready, we mount the ball valve. However, it is much easier to purchase a clamp with a screwed-in tap, through the cavity of which drilling is performed. The tap valve closes after water begins to emerge at the drilling site.

After that, you need to check the tightness of the clamp – whether there is a leak in the area of ​​the gaskets. If leakage is found, tighten the bolts. If the saddle is dry, then everything is done correctly. At the final stage of work, open the tap, finish the hole with a hammer and punch of the same diameter as the drill, and then close the tap.

Other case: plastic water pipe

If you want to cut into a plastic, not metal, water pipe, in this case, you should use a clamp of a special type. Such a device is equipped with an electric welding unit with a heating coil, a device for drilling a pipe (cutter) and a valve.

On the saddle of the clamp, the manufacturer applies information regarding the restrictions when working with the clamp, namely the exact welding time, as well as the cooling time. The service life of such a clamp is about 50 years..

The order of insertion into a plastic water pipe is as follows:

1. Site preparation – cleaning the surface from dirt.
2. Fastening the clamp to the pipeline with bolts. As a rule, performing work at this stage does not cause problems, since the saddle diameter is identical to the pipe diameter, the clamp is installed easily and quite tightly.
3. Using a special welding device, the spiral is heated and the clamp is welded to the pipe. After welding, allow the product to cool down for the time specified by the manufacturer (usually within one hour).
4. After cooling the clamp with the use of the cutter, a hole is made in the pipeline. Plastic is an easy-to-process material, so no additional tools, such as a punch, are required to make the hole.

Obviously, at least minimal knowledge of plumbing is required to perform the listed works. Nevertheless, a careful study of the advice of the masters and the instructions of the manufacturers of devices for tapping into a water pipe under pressure will allow even a non-specialist to do this work without much difficulty and with sufficient quality..