Water leak outside property

[Bogart]

Not exactly a plumbing problem but here goes. I have known for a couple of years there was a water leak somewhere between the water meter, on our property, and the property itself. The water company fitted a new (smart) meter about 4 weeks ago. Now they have contacted us saying we have a leak as we are using water 24/7. They say we should fix it giving a deadline or they will fix it. Not sure how that works as they would need access to the grounds. Anyway I digress. The leak is most definitely on the external pipework because even with the stopcock closed the meter still goes around, well the old one did not bothered to look at the new one yet. So what all this waffle is about is there a way to find out where the leak is occurring. I know at some point there is a 'T' joint off to an outbuilding. I am aussuming that the leak is at a fitting and not on the pipe itself. So we have exiting the meter or the 'T' joint. I have not got a clue as to how to ascertain where the 'T' joint is. Also unsure as to how reputable somebody might be who says they can fix it. The distance from the meter to the stopcock is some 40m which I do not fancy digging up.
Any suggestions gratefully received.
Thanks

 

[Ben-gee]

The first one is a size specific slip coupling only for mdpe pipe.
The more expensive one is designed to deal with different pipes eg galvanised or whatever you might come across with that diameter.

In your case you only need the mdpe plasson coupler.

 

[Bogart]

Right had not noticed the szing of the fittings. Thanks.

 

[Bogart]

Just received the squeeze off tool. Not sure why I thought it would be much bigger than it is, quite dinky. All I need to do now
is get bup the courage to go outside and dig a few holes in this damned cold weather. Tomorrow sounds a good idea.

 

[Bogart]

Right an update. Dug out a few holes and found a T piece outside where the water enters the property. I knew there had to be a T somewhere as supply also feeds an outbuilding. Now the pipe is black 3/4inch MDPE and the T piece is an equal brass
compression fitting. As far as I can see 3/4in brass compression are classed as Irish pipe fittings, must be something to do with the Guiness.
So my intention is to remove the T piece and use a stop end at the incoming supply end of the T. That will let me determine whether the leak is between the T and the meter or not. I thought this might be less harmful to the pipe than using the squeeze tool I have just bought. Any thoughts?

 

[Bogart]

So bit the bullet and used the squeeze off tool. Was hesitant as to if it would damage the pipe, I need not have worried. Warmed the pipe up a bit with a heat gun and it shut the water flow off a treat. Took it off and put back on at 90deg to previous position to get rig of the slight kink in the pipe. Is now fully round. Least it has shown me which leg the leak is on. Luckily the one going across a lawn, about 10m, and not from the meter to the house about 35 m. So only have to mess around doing holes on 10m worth.

 

[Ben-gee]

Sounds like a good result.

Just for your information- the black mdpe you have found is almost certainly alkathene and not mdpe.
Bd warned that this pipe is more inclined to become brittle with age, I would not use d squeeze off tool on it. Also if at all practical I would replace it with blue mdpe whilst you are mucking around. Note it is often easier to run a new supply by a different route and simply disconnect the old one and leave it in situ - but this will depend on the circumstances of your actual installation.

 

[Bogart]

MDPE HDPE whats in a name. 😀 Too many other things to be getting on with so no way will I replace the black with blue would be over 40m needing replacing.
The black seemed to compress yesterday very nicely and resumed its circular shape. All I want is to find the leak sort it and fill in all the holes.

 

[Ben-gee]

Diesel Petrol what’s in a name.

Try putting the wrong one in your car and you’ll find out.

 

[Bogart]

Finally traced leak with aid of a CAT4 cable tracer and genny. Problem was with fastening ring on a Philmac universal transition joiner. The ring had split for around 50% of the circumference.
Attached is a pic of current state. Original feed from meter now terminated with a stop end on a JG 3/4 in LDPE to 25mm adaptor.
I intend doing away with the boilerhouse feed and just running a supply to the garage for an outside tap. Now a slight problem is the garage pipe is
20mm MDPE and the spigot on the JG fitting is 25mm. Plus I now am about half a meter short of pipe. Now I know I can buy some 20mm pipe, a 25mm to 20mm adapter and a 20mm elbow. I just wondered am I missing anything obvious to do the job except from how I am stating here?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

No pictures mate ?

 

[Bogart]

Buggar I am always doing that.

 

[Bogart]

Just another matter. The pipe coming from the garage is shall we say marked/scored so I doubt a normal 20mm MDPE would seal well enough. What I am therefore thinking of is a 20mm brass
compression fitting, do they exist?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Just another matter. The pipe coming from the garage is shall we say marked/scored so I doubt a normal 20mm MDPE would seal well enough. What I am therefore thinking of is a 20mm brass
compression fitting, do they exist?

They do peglar make them but I would cut back to a non damaged part

I’ve seen scores / scratches weaken the pipe causing a burst etc

 

[Bogart]

Ha easier said than done cutting back to undamaged pipe. Shortly after picture it disappears under a flower bed with trees in there then under a paved area before arriving at the garage. The scores scrtaches are not bad just that a slight score I have found can make an O ring seal not work. I have just this minute found that Conex do a 20mm brass coupler so might try that.