Leak in brass pipe, how to fix?

[canfossi]

I have a small leak in a brass pipe which is part of the well pressure tank in the basement. I have tried to call the plumber, but no response. The split pipe has an outside thread and an inside thread, there is a pipe threaded on the inside of the split one. The split is a bit bigger than a hairline, I am not going to take it apart as there's no shut-off there only down the pipe. The plumber obviously tightened the inside pipe too much and caused the outside one to split. Can I patch this crack up with solder or what if I just put some hose clamps over the split should I put some kind of rubber gasket and then put on the hose clamps? This is just temporary until I can get a plumber to come. Thanks Chris

[OkieDavid]

I'd go with a temporary patch made with rubber gasket and hose clamps. I've had very little success getting them to totally seal off as hose clamps are not designed to tighten enough to support those pressures but they will work to slow it from a spray to a drip. Use any rubber product pliable enough to bend around the break and use hose clamps one beside the other for the entire length of the split alternating which way they tighten. Another "tip" that was passed on to me but that I haven't tried is 1. On a pipe that you can get dry- coat the split and gasket with a silicone type caulk and let dry for 12 hours before restoring the water.
2. On a wet pipe- Use kitty litter between the gasket and pipe then tighten. The clay in the litter will swell and assist in sealing the drips that WILL happen.

Good Luck,
David

[HermitJohn]

If you search around Lowes, they sell this roll of sticky, stretchy rubber tape meant for emergency repair of pipes and hoses. Its in plumbing dept. I'd try this first.

A variation of this would be to cut a long strip out of an old inner tube. Wrap it tight many times around pipe and hold it in place with couple hose clamps.

There is also epoxy putty, comes in a stick inside a little plastic tube to keep it from drying out. You cut off a chunk and knead it to mix the two parts. Short working time so think ahead. Two kinds of it, one will set under water and is best if it has to set up under wet conditions. To use it think you pretty much have to relieve water pressure while it cures. If you can get a good bond, this is a semi-permenent repair.

[daytrader]

IF IT IS JUST A HAIR LINE CRACK.

I would heat the BRASS fitting with a small gas torch. To the point the solder melts. Get the peice very hot. Take the heat away and add nickle based solder. This will suck into the void and all threads.

Solving your problem. This also will not effect you tooling to remove the fittings as a latter date.

The best fix is to REMOVE AND REPLACE the damaged fixture.

[tamsam]

They make a medal sleeve with rubber inside that is in two pieces and screw together with screws. They come in many sizes and can be left for years. I know there were several under my mom and dad's house that had been there 20 = yrs. Check your hardware or plumping stores. Sam

[RedneckPete]

Originally Posted by OkieDavid

... as hose clamps are not designed to tighten enough to support those pressures but they will work to slow it from a spray to a drip.

You can buy the really good hose clamps with a totally different tightening mechanism. They will tighten up like crazy. Good suggestion though.

Pete