Early Saturday morning, someone attempted to cut the copper pipe from the front of our house. Fortunately, my neighbor caught them before they could finish and they ran off. However, when we had a plumber come out to give an estimate, he said that although it was a clean cut, on the other end they scratched and dented it so badly, that it had to be repaired on both ends (it's cracked), which would cost $285.00. Unfortunately, we can't afford to get that done until the 21st of the month. It's difficult walking to the store daily to refill bottled water, and I was wondering since it was a clean cut, would it be possible to temporarily turn on the main water valve at the sidewalk in order to collect water from the now opened portion of the pipe? Thank you in advance for your much needed help.

Without knowing what they cut ? Did they cut the pipe at the water meter ? And will not filling up bottled water cost you more or a lot compared to fixing the pipe.

What size pipe is this ?

They cut the pipe leading into the house on the water valve in front of the house. I really don't have the money to fix the pipe at this time, which is why bottled water is the only solution I currently have. Is there a way I could post a picture of it?

http://i1048.photobucket.com/albums/s380/Megabucks80/081013104150.jpg (http://s1048.photobucket.com/user/Megabucks80/media/081013104150.jpg.html)

Is that the water main coming out of ground, goes into house, and also to a faucet?
Looks like a small temp connection could be done, or cap the main and just get water from faucet.

Have you showed this photo at a local home depo, some simple issues to fix.

Yes, I believe it is. It would have been simple if it were just the smoothly cut side of the pipe, but the part emerging from the wall was cracked and damaged from the would be theft sawing and striking at it. That's where it gets expensive. We spoke with more than one plumber, and the lowest estimate was $285, and just can't afford that right now.

So, I wondered if I turned on the main water valve at the sidewalk temporarily, would the water run through the now smooth break in the pipe, and I could collect it in buckets etc.

Yes Megabucks you can use the water. I would hook my garden hose to the bib and catch the water from the hose. Watch the over spray from the leaking pipe, you may need to protect the house with something. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Yes Megabucks you can use the water. I would hook my garden hose to the bib and catch the water from the hose. Watch the over spray from the leaking pipe, you may need to protect the house with something. good luck and let us know how it goes.


Great idea. I'd wondered if I could attach the hose to it. That would make the transfer easier. Thank you both so much. I'll try it in the morning and share the results :-)

Bend the pipe going into the home out of the way and then purchase a 3/4" SHARKBITE (or gatorbite) PUSH ON CAP. Use some sandcloth and clean the stubbed (cut) pipe end and then simply push the cap on full depth on the pipe end.

That should allow you to keep the water on permanently and you can use a hose off the hose bib faucet.

Now, if you can cap the other end (just before pipe goes into the home) with another sharkbite cap, you can run a hose (you'll also need a double ended washing machine hose) to your outside faucet and restore water (and hot water ) to the entire home!

You should be able to accomplish this for about $20.00 now, but it will need to be fixed professionally at some point soon!

Good luck!

Mark

Bend the pipe going into the home out of the way and then purchase a 3/4" SHARKBITE (or gatorbite) PUSH ON CAP. Use some sandcloth and clean the stubbed (cut) pipe end and then simply push the cap on full depth on the pipe end.

That should allow you to keep the water on permanently and you can use a hose off the hose bib faucet.

Now, if you can cap the other end (just before pipe goes into the home) with another sharkbite cap, you can run a hose (you'll also need a double ended washing machine hose) to your outside faucet and restore water (and hot water ) to the entire home!!

You should be able to accomplish this for about $20.00 now, but it will need to be fixed professionally at some point soon!!

Good luck!

Mark

That is great information, Mark! I will definitely go in search of a sharkbite cap. Just didn't understand the part about capping the pipe leading into the house. How would capping it help to restore the hot water, which would be amazing?

Thank you so much.

Mega, in case Mark is off on a job I'll tell you what I think he means. You buy two sharkbite caps and cap both end of the cut pipe, Then you run your hose from that bib (where the damage is) to another bib, (that's where the double ended washing machine hose he mentioned comes in) open both bibs and water the house. I hope I made this clear. Good luck

Parttime covered it pretty good, but I think you'll need to cut the bent/damaged pipe closest to the house... may even need to undermine the wood around the pipe a bit to get a good clean cut and still be able to cap the line using the sharkbite cap (as PT said, buy 2 caps).

By capping both ends as described and running the hose over to another outside faucet (or one inside the home.. can adapt if needed) and using the double ended washing machine hose (connects male hose end to male outside faucet) you will effectively restore cold water and since cold water automatically feeds your hot water heater you will have restored hot water to the home as well!

*crossing my fingers*

Mark

First off if what the picture shows is that the line in cut off after coming through the house.And, that the shown boiler drain valve is for a outside bib. Plus the "Tee" show with the valve going down & I'm thinking a check valve ( back-flow-preventer) into the ground is for something outside, then all you have to do is to cap off the supply line close to the house. Then you would have water in the house.
But, if the picture shown is vicey versey then you have to fix the cut line on the other side of the tee. If that's the case still no problem. All you have to do is make a clean cut on the copper right past all the dings. It has to be clean, if there is not enough room there to use a tubing cutter you can use a hacksaw with fine tooth blade to cut the copper. Be gentle doing it that way as you want a non-distorted cut in the tube. After doing that use a propane torch & un-sweat the copper tube out of the tee. Use pliers on that piece as you heat it up. If it doesn't move sometimes you have to put a little bit of solder on the joint to get the tubing to move. Once the pice of tubing is removed, clean the tee & the stub sticking out of the house. Usinf a new of copper & a sleeve with no-stop in it clean them both & install back ito place to repair the situation.
No one says that you have to get a plumber to work on your own house. If you want to pay the $300 dollar bill for a hour job then by all means, blow your money on it, but all iall that is how long he/she is going to spend doing it.
For a few basic tools and fittings you can do the job yourself.
Also, I don't know how it is in your parts, but where I am located to shut the water off at the curb is going to cost me 50 bucks from the city to do it & another 50 bucks to turn it on. You might want to check up on that, too.
Do what you want. Whatever you decide on, good luck. Take you time & do it right.

First off if what the picture shows is that the line in cut off after coming through the house.And, that the shown boiler drain valve is for a outside bib. Plus the "Tee" show with the valve going down & I'm thinking a check valve ( back-flow-preventer) into the ground is for something outside, then all you have to do is to cap off the supply line close to the house. Then you would have water in the house.
But, if the picture shown is vicey versey then you have to fix the cut line on the other side of the tee. If that's the case still no problem. All you have to do is make a clean cut on the copper right past all the dings. It has to be clean, if there is not enough room there to use a tubing cutter you can use a hacksaw with fine tooth blade to cut the copper. Be gentle doing it that way as you want a non-distorted cut in the tube. After doing that use a propane torch & un-sweat the copper tube out of the tee. Use pliers on that piece as you heat it up. If it doesn't move sometimes you have to put a little bit of solder on the joint to get the tubing to move. Once the pice of tubing is removed, clean the tee & the stub sticking out of the house. Usinf a new of copper & a sleeve with no-stop in it clean them both & install back ito place to repair the situation.
No one says that you have to get a plumber to work on your own house. If you want to pay the $300 dollar bill for a hour job then by all means, blow your money on it, but all iall that is how long he/she is going to spend doing it.
For a few basic tools and fittings you can do the job yourself.
Also, I don't know how it is in your parts, but where I am located to shut the water off at the curb is going to cost me 50 bucks from the city to do it & another 50 bucks to turn it on. You might want to check up on that, too.
Do what you want. Whatever you decide on, good luck. Take you time & do it right.

As much as I appreciate the effort you put into your answer Kwhit, I got to tell you that I really disagree with your advice to Megabucks!

In my opinion, this is not a job for a beginner. Megabucks probably has the skills to cap the lines, but mixing old copper fittings with new copper fittings is just a disaster waiting to happen for an inexperienced homeowner... EVEN for some plumbers I know!

Just my opinion is all!

Mark

PS: The valve coming out of the ground is a Pressure regulator valve (PRV), so it must be the main supply INTO the home... ;)

Mark,

As a suggestion the if pipe is cut on the right side and the pipe is in good shape and a minimum of 1" remaining and the left side is a minimum of 1" remaining, if a Sharkbite slip coupling and a Sharkbite coupling with a few inches of copper tubing are used wouldn’t it work? Thanks.

John

To do all that with those very pricey fittings you just may as well unsweat the piece of copper out of the tee, install a new piece with a no stop sleeve & sweat the whole thing back in place. Much more cheaper, It's in for good, you don't need a plumber, no 300 dollar bill & it's done with.

Kwhit,

Yep you are correct I am sure the Op has no experience with the sweating and has no torch or solder to do the job, Sharkbite fittings are approved and works great will cost approx. $30, it was only my suggestion and asked Mark for his opinion, open the link below and watch the clip will show you how use the slip coupling,Thanks.

John

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgdBv5BK5dQ

Hi John

I think the sharkbite couplings are a great idea for a homeowner with no soldering skills...

With any luck Megabucks will post back and see the options presented!

A temporary solution would be a tubing cutter to cut off the damage pipe, two hose clamps and this hose.
Watts 7/8 in. x 2 ft. Black PVC Disposer Hose-WPMX2 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Watts-7-8-in-x-2-ft-Black-PVC-Disposer-Hose-WPMX2/100016643#.UgsOa20pgqI)

Its interior diameter is .875, should fit over the what appears to be 3/4 copper. Its working pressure is 200# certainly strong enough for a temporary fix.

What did those idiots think they were doing? Looks like they tried to hack the pipe into with a hatchet. They should have gotten very wet unless they turned off the stop valve.

Can't go by the picture of a prv valve. For on thing if it is a PRV valve, having a chunk of brass that big out in plain view is wating for a disaster.
Second, if you're a homeowner then you better get knowledgeable of how your house works.
When I was growing up, I sure did. Coarse there are people out there who can't walk & talk at the same time & they are driving a car talking on a cell phone, but that is beside the point.
You own a house, learn how it works! And, how to fix it! If you would rather blow 300 bucks to call a plumber, then by all means. But, don't come complaining back to me when they are only there for 1 hour & your 300 bucks poorer!