So I get a call for a water pipe leak repair coming from the ceiling of a basement in an area called Sunset Park in Brooklyn, New York. When I get to the job and head on down the basement to see what’s going on, I’m in total disbelief. I haven’t seen this much lead water pipe in a residential application for over 30 years.
The leak was coming down an interior air shaft that acted as a pipe chase for all the waste and water lines going up to the second and third-floor apartments. A brass hot water pipe was smack up against the cold water lead riser pipe and from years of expansion and contraction created a pin hole.
Now a water pipe leak repair like this was going to be a challenge for a couple of
reasons. I needed access which I fortunately, was able to get via the first-floor bathroom. I had to do it standing in a bathtub working thru a double hung window which looked right into air-shaft. Second reason is I was a little shaky about using a torch in the shaft out of fear of dropping it and setting the place on fire.
Finally, I called several local supply houses to find and old fashioned lead dresser coupling so I wouldn’t have to use a flame and they all pretty much laughed at me and said “you gotta be kidding”! Plan “B” was to try a 3/4″ shark bite fitting which did fit over the 5/8″ outer diameter of the 1/2″ lead pipe and although it did clip on firmly, it was slightly big for the “O” ring to hold water.
So I no choice but to go into my bag of tricks and make the connection between the new copper pipe and old lead by soldering the two together the way it was done back in the good old days. Question was, did I still have what it takes? Well, I’d better have my shit together or this customer was going to be left with a major re-pipe which by the way he wasn’t planning on. My technique was a little rusty but kind of like riding a bike “you really don’t forget”, it just takes a little practice to get back into the swing of things.
Well, I hope you enjoy my attempt at the long lost art of lead wiping and even though it wasn’t a perfect joint (I’ve done much better), it’s water tight and that’s all that counts! By the way, I was so close to my Go-Pro 4 silver edition camera that I wasn’t paying attention to the fact that my joint was running a little hot and I probably used more solder than I should have. Never the less I got the job done and I hope you enjoy the video!
HAPPY PLUMBING,
Bob