Wet testing Pipework

[djobe]

After wet testing using a rothenberger pump 5 large 3 story's house this week I think I need to find a better way or doing so than just manually pumping, anyone made up anything to make life easier? Thanks

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

I've always just filled it via a hose and then pumped it up to whatever pressure you need, never really thought about it being to much work.

 

[djobe]

It's hard when there is no other source of water apart from a outside tap on the other side of the site.. Working on New builds

 

[kris]

Ive never tested anything in 20 years , touch wood ok thus far, when i fill system or switch on water thats my test, dont own a pressure tester,, I shouldnt have said this because this week il probably get a gusher,,
Dont get me wrong ive had plenty of leaks ( never from soldered joints )

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

How are you doing it? Filling buckets and carrying them to each house, then using your hand pump?
what about buying a couple of hoses and joining them, mind you a monkey in a digger will only drive over it!

 

[djobe]

Yes basically just that, filling buckets.. Every now & again I could hook up to a feed close but the majority of the time it's just to far away to think about linking hoses

 

[djobe]

Ive never tested anything in 20 years , touch wood ok thus far, when i fill system or switch on water thats my test, dont own a pressure tester,, I shouldnt have said this because this week il probably get a gusher,,
Dont get me wrong ive had plenty of leaks ( never from soldered joints )

Fair enough, working on new build with big developers at the moment so you have to have test witnessed. Plus the amount of Hep2o fittings without grippers in them lately has been a joke so glad I test everything

 

[Ermintrude]

Put tee on it and two valves. Tie on mains and fill it then give it two squirts with the pump to hit 16bar

 

[djobe]

Put tee on it and two valves. Tie on mains and fill it then give it two squirts with the pump to hit 16bar

I wasn't very clear in my first post, no water mains are connected untill after second fixed

 

[Ermintrude]

Where u get water from to test? Just run a bit of placa. Had to fill a new school with BCW and chilled with 15mm supply. Took about 2 weeks

 

[djobe]

Where u get water from to test? Just run a bit of placa. Had to fill a new school with BCW and chilled with 15mm supply. Took about 2 weeks

site compund, there is about 200 houses between the compund and the 5houses Ive just done ha

 

[Ermintrude]

Main contractor to supply u a bowser you used a petrol pressure washer to fill her up

 

[plumben]

Can you not use air testers?
I only work domestic houses not on site,
I use a Rothenberg air tester never let me down,
useful for testing gas runs before there covered as well

 

[djobe]

Can you not use air testers?
I only work domestic houses not on site,
I use a Rothenberg air tester never let me down,
useful for testing gas runs before there covered as well

im not sure ive only ever wet test.. Send a links the air tester you use please

 

[Ermintrude]

Air is dangerous especially at 16bar. Rapid discharge cause real injury! Most sites won't allow it

 

[plumben]

Rothenberger Dry Pressure Test Kit | Plumbing Testing Equipment | NoLinkingToThis

Mine only goes to 4 bar

as pointed out above I doubt it'd be allowed at 16bar

 

[tamz]

The link above is a piece of junk. It wouldn't be allowed on a site.
Stick to your buckets and hand pump.

 

[mfgs]

When wet testing, do you normally allow a period of time for stabilisation?

 

[tamz]

Around 2 ****

 

[craigy]

What about testing section by section or zone by zone?
I only started water testing after 5 yrs because some hep fittings weeped. Scored the outside of the pipe by feeding through brick walls without protecting the pipe with tape.

 

[craigy]

Let it settle for 30 mins then 1.5 times working pressure for 30 mins, I prefer overnight to be sure.

 

[craigy]

When wet testing, do you normally allow a period of time for stabilisation?

30 mins

 

[AWheating]

Let it settle for 30 mins then 1.5 times working pressure for 30 mins, I prefer overnight to be sure.

for copper 1.5 times is fine.

test pressures last time i checked :

hep2o is 12bar
polyfit/polyplumb is 18bar
speedfit is 10bar

length of time depends on manufacturer also, some want lower pressure for a short period before pumping up.


as for water supply, its best to use potable water from a known source, avoid hose pipes, dirty buckets and bowsers. sterilize your tester if its been a while/ left in the van holding your x400. Be careful borrowing a tester as it could have been used for chemicals which is not great if testing hot and cold pipework.

what i have is a couple of them big water bottles from a water cooler.

 

[Neil K]

in the case of first fix for a domestic house, you should only pump it up to worse case scenario ie 4 bar max for central heating because safety valve will lift at 3 bar, likewise for the plumbing. No need whatsoever to pump it up to the likes of 10 or 16 bar

 

[oz-plumber]

Get a couple of 20 ltr buckets and get one of those pumps you can attach to a cordless drill.
When filled just connect the test bucket, and test to desired pressure.

PS: You may need a couple of flexi connectors.