chilli Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 Ok water is turned off, taps removed now I'm stuck - doh! Ok got olives and fittings. The end of the copper pipe seems to have the remains of an olive well sqiushed onto it. At least that is what I think it is. Looks like the pipe is flaired but I take it this is the squished olive that over time looks like it was part of the existing pipe. Anyway, I can't get this bulge (old olive) off the pipe. What should I do? cut the pipe? thing is there is some sort of solder joint just below it which the nut for the compression joint won't go past, this only gives a few mm to play with so cutting it I'm worried there won't be enough pipe. Should I hacksaw into it and hope it falls off? help, not done much plumbing before, never done taps. Would really like to get it back together and get the water on tonight. Think I am fine with the rest of it, just worried if I do the wrong thing now (like cut it when I shouldn't) I'll make things worse and there will be no chance of sorting it until tomorrow with much more effort. cheers for any help / advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarjo Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 If I've read it right are you trying to get the old olive out of the pipe? If so do you have a blow torch, gently heat the outside of the pipe to see if it will release the olive?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted May 27, 2006 Author Share Posted May 27, 2006 It's the gf here. He is up in the bathroom making loads of noise! I suggested the blowtorch thing, but it would appear we don't have one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted May 27, 2006 Author Share Posted May 27, 2006 No plumbers around? Expert DIY'ers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewen Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 Re you putting new taps in ? Olives go on the outside of the pipe....so if it is an old olive, where is the old nut ? If its still on the pipe, you may be lucky and be able to do it up again without a leak. Plan B...you could cut the old olive (if thats what it is) off with a hacksaw blade if you are very careful not to cut into the pipe. If you nick the pipe, file it out and then sand it with fine grade or emery cloth before you fit the new olive etc. Plan C...have you got any connectors (short or long and flexible) and spare pipe ? If so you could cut the existing pipe shorter then add another short length with a connector. Plan D...wait till tomorrow, and buy a pair of connectors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian W Posted May 27, 2006 Share Posted May 27, 2006 can't you just cut it out? i'm assuming you've got a new piece of pipe that will go onto it anyway? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chilli Posted May 27, 2006 Author Share Posted May 27, 2006 ok just been up there. unfortunately I have no blowtorch, maybe I'll get one for the tool box for next time lol, just in case anyway it appeared that it was the old olive and it had "become one" with the old pipe! The nut was stuck on with about 5mm of movement, held between the old stuck olve at one end and the solder joint at the other. rather than risk messing the pipe up (no spare pipe or connectors here) i decided it was best to cut the end of the pipe off. Managed to do this cleanly only losing about 2mm of pipe! cleaned the end up with emery, new nut and olive, used some plumbing green stuff, re-assembled and I think it may be ok. Tank is filling up now but water has come out of the tap and there have been no leaks so far (fingers crossed). once it gets up to full pressure if it is ok I'll do the other tap the same way. thought this would be a 5 min job lol - oh well so long as it works in the end... olives always this much of a problem? maybe the old ones were overtightened or been on there too long? anyway thanks for the help guys, mucho appreciated, this forum is great for just about anything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 olives always this much of a problem? maybe the old ones were overtightened or been on there too long? Olives aren't designed to be removed, they're compressed onto the pipe when you tighten the nut. You did the right in cutting the pipe. The special pipe cutters are good, they leave you with a slightly chamfered burr-free cut pipe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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