Lead-Loc fittings for lead water pipe - Plumbing Zone

PLUMB TIME · 03-15-2010, 06:44 PM

I have a customer who has a leak from the exposed lead water service in the basement. Wiping a new joint is not an option but am considering the use of a Lead-Loc fitting to make the transition to copper.
Has any one had any experience with this type of fitting.

Plumber Jim · 03-15-2010, 06:58 PM

I have used ford couplings i buy locally. you have to get the right one for the thickness you are working with.

http://www.fordmeterbox.com/pages/J_Section/Jsec.htm

PLUMB TIME · 03-15-2010, 07:12 PM

That's the coupling Iwas thinking of but couldn't remember the name

. To much pvc glue over the years. Thanks.

Plumber Jim · 03-15-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLUMB TIME

That's the coupling Iwas thinking of but couldn't remember the name

. To much pvc glue over the years. Thanks.

Anytime.

gladerunner · 03-15-2010, 07:24 PM

make sure you restrain it from thrusting. can you do a bit joint? wipeing copper right into the lead? we call those ford fittings dresser couplings here

PLUMB TIME · 03-15-2010, 07:30 PM

It's prolly been 20 years since I wiped a joint and even then I wasn't that good at it. My feeling was that if I could get by with the coupling, re-round and file, and prevent compression failure, it would be one and done.

I don't want to risk losing the small portion of pipe that I have to work with

Thanks for the responses.

gladerunner · 03-15-2010, 07:48 PM

around here we can only buy couplings in straight sizes, so you might have to buy two diffrent couplings for transition to copper and just steal the washer out of one to put in one side of the other. and oh yea don't forget to restrain it from thrusting.

ranman · 03-15-2010, 08:30 PM

we had lots of lead services around detroit. i would ream out the lead and solder the copper into the lead. works like a charm

PLUMBER_BILL · 03-16-2010, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLUMB TIME

I have a customer who has a leak from the exposed lead water service in the basement. Wiping a new joint is not an option but am considering the use of a Lead-Loc fitting to make the transition to copper.
Has any one had any experience with this type of fitting.

Lead Piping ... The photo below shows Athode Unions ... A method of joining lead from years ago which did not require wiping.

The right hand part is for lead drainage to IP 1-1/2" both ends. The left hand part of the photo is for 5/8" lead to 3/4 IP.

To use you slipped the end with the nut over the lead, then with a turn pin you flared the lead out, then with a ballpeen hammer you flattened the lead against the flange, then you took a rasp and filed the excess lead to the diameter of the fitting. Finally you coupled to the other end, the lead you hammed flat became the gasket and the pressure caused by tightening the nut created the seal.

Enjoy the way of the past. Yep I still have a couple of them.

RealLivePlumber · 03-16-2010, 06:10 PM

I get nervous messing with lead that old. We have homes here that have lead services, and usually there is not much protruding through the wall.

Maybe you better send Bill a plane ticket, and tell him to bring some of those fittings!

03-15-2010, 06:44 PM	#1
PLUMB TIME Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 628 My Photos	Lead-Loc fittings for lead water pipe I have a customer who has a leak from the exposed lead water service in the basement. Wiping a new joint is not an option but am considering the use of a Lead-Loc fitting to make the transition to copper. Has any one had any experience with this type of fitting.

03-15-2010, 06:58 PM	#2
Plumber Jim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,803 My Photos	I have used ford couplings i buy locally. you have to get the right one for the thickness you are working with. http://www.fordmeterbox.com/pages/J_Section/Jsec.htm __________________ Broomfield Plumber , Denver Plumber , Boulder Plumber , Lafayette Plumber

03-15-2010, 07:12 PM	#3
PLUMB TIME Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 628 My Photos	That's the coupling Iwas thinking of but couldn't remember the name. To much pvc glue over the years. Thanks.

03-16-2010, 06:10 PM	#10
RealLivePlumber Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 2,429 My Photos	I get nervous messing with lead that old. We have homes here that have lead services, and usually there is not much protruding through the wall. Maybe you better send Bill a plane ticket, and tell him to bring some of those fittings! __________________ RealLivePlumber You can make it happen, you can watch it happen, or you can wonder wtf happened. Phil Harris 2009

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03-15-2010, 07:24 PM	#5
gladerunner Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: pa. Posts: 209 My Photos	make sure you restrain it from thrusting. can you do a bit joint? wipeing copper right into the lead? we call those ford fittings dresser couplings here

03-15-2010, 07:30 PM	#6
PLUMB TIME Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 628 My Photos	It's prolly been 20 years since I wiped a joint and even then I wasn't that good at it. My feeling was that if I could get by with the coupling, re-round and file, and prevent compression failure, it would be one and done. I don't want to risk losing the small portion of pipe that I have to work with Thanks for the responses.

03-15-2010, 07:48 PM	#7
gladerunner Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: pa. Posts: 209 My Photos	around here we can only buy couplings in straight sizes, so you might have to buy two diffrent couplings for transition to copper and just steal the washer out of one to put in one side of the other. and oh yea don't forget to restrain it from thrusting.

03-15-2010, 08:30 PM	#8
ranman The Pipe Whisperer Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: gilbert az Posts: 390 My Photos	we had lots of lead services around detroit. i would ream out the lead and solder the copper into the lead. works like a charm

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