Is is possible to weld a running water pipe?

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Hi I m Jeff, I m currently studying building services as a student. I m curious is there any method to repair a leaking water pipework during/before handover. Since sometimes there maybe problems but it is not realistic to turn off the water supply / re-install the whole system. Is it possible to weld the pipework while water is running inside it?I guess even it is possible it would be very difficulty.1. water is conductive, the welder need a steady hand and very high technique2. the heat generate in the process may heat up the water and become steam, the steam may rush out from the gap and hurt the welder3. since the water is flowing the heat is bring out by the water, the time need for welding will extend.There maybe more difficulties that I don't know. I would like to know is there any real world example that welding water pipe with running water.Thanks,Jeffrey
Reply:......retractedDave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Well, depending on what type of line it is there are options. Domestic water lines of galvanized piping would not be good to weld . The option there would be to freeze it and make a proper repair. The building piping does not need to be drained but pumps / valves require shutdown to stop flow for a proper freeze. This could be used for heating , chilled water piping, and condenser water too. Doesn't matter if it is galvanized , copper, or carbon steel. That would be my first choice.   As for a leak in the piping, I was told that using AC 6010 is about the only way. We are talking a drip and not a blown out flood.   . Depending on size you could use a band clamp temporarily but eventually it will need a proper repair. There are many variables evolved and each case is different. Freezing it would be the best. Heres's a video for residential that is on a smaller scale then freezing a 6'' carbon steel line. I have done freezes and worked on larger pipe where a PROFESSIONAL freeze company was contracted. I real don't like cutiing or welding on a frozen line.
Reply:That's pretty cool BD1.    I've never seen anything like that before. I could see where that would be much more useful in a commercial environment...Such as a industry, a restaurant or hotel where shutting down the entire system would be very costly.    Pretty cool stuff.
Reply:It'll be hard to weld while it's running unless you can run fast enough to keep up.
Reply:Saw someone on "Deadliest Catch" weld a broken pipe that was pissin real good and was flooding out the engine room that went to a crab tank with stick and it worked...Can't tell you what they used but when a boat is about to sink you do what you must..And it did work......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I know they make CO2 kits to freeze pipes with little water flow. It is just a CO2 tank with a dip tube, or I imagine you could invert a std CO2 bottle, flowing the liquid into a wet rag around a pipe.  I imagine you could just pack dry ice for a job that you don't do often.  I don't think you can freeze a pipe with water flowing through it, but Im not sure. If it's got a pin hole in it its rusting fom inside out, have a plan if it doesn't work. I suppose you could also weld a patch over it, but again, haven't done it.
Reply:Even if only a "pin hole" leak, my concern would be how solid is the material around it just under the surface?  Could wind up blowing right thru and making matters far worse than they are.Bottom line, there are soooo many possible scenarios, I don't think there is a cut and dried answer to the question IMO.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:put a sleeve around it.
Reply:i've had 0 luck.   my arc has been wild and unconrtollable  w/ water inside .    i've only made the leaks worse.    i find it a crap shoot to stop a leak on sealed water tank even when water has been drained.   ive only tried it in smaw thoughLast edited by 123weld; 09-09-2015 at 12:38 PM.
Reply:JB waterweldTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:I saw someone stop a leak in the side of a big water storage tank, though I wasn't close enough to see much. A fair stream of water was squirting out about a dozen feet. Not a lot of pressure."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:How do you stop the water from turning to steam and the pressure blowing out the weld?
Reply:Compression couplerLast edited by texasbest2006; 09-09-2015 at 05:02 PM.
Reply:Your wasting your time trying to weld waterpipe with a hole. Chances are that hole is from corrosion, if it is your going to be blowing smoke and it will only be a patch.  Cut out the corroded section and use this.Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk Attached Images
Reply:In irrigation work, I've done quick and dirty repairs more than once, Usually involving driving the appropriate leak stopper in the hole and either welding it to the pipe or welding a dished patch over it. Do not use AC on anything involving water. You wont be able to let go if you become part of the circuit.
Reply:Freeze I've worked on up to 10" sometimes before and after leak needs to be frozen because of back feed,did a 8" in a hospital 3' from the work pretty scary a 2' long slug of ice got to trust your freeze company an do a lot of pre. Prep, uses lots of nitrogen, personaly Done up to 11/2" with compressor freeze kits, try to freeze before a 45 or 90 incase it let's go slug MIGHT stop
Reply:I've fixed some small holes in pipe by cutting most of the threads off a sheet metal screw and screwing it in the hole and welding around the screw head.