blizzard123
New Member
Is brass compression coupling that seals with rubber a good connector for water main line repair done under 4 foot of soil? That is what was used by an excavator to repair a leak that was inside the house from the water main 3-4inches away from the wall. Most plumbers said they didn't have enough room to work with on the inside, and the one that said they 'might' be able to do it, also wanted us to sign a contract for a staggering amount to excavate from the outside if they weren't able to do it from inside.
The excavator originally said he would use a flared joint outside, but on the day of work, he switched to compression. When I questioned him numerous times, and he was adamant that this was the best in the business, and even that the local water company uses it nowadays.
But I just don't trust rubber seals, and I told him that. He offered me reassurances that he replaced more flared joints than compression ones and on the receipt, a note that if it fails, he will do the job again at no cost. But what I am afraid of, AFTER all the work was done, is that this rubber seal will only probably fail in 10-15 years, and he will then be of old age or out of business.
Are my worries accurate? Please tell me I am wrong. I would think that flared connections are better for that kind of water pressure. It's not like he doesn't know how to make a flared joint as he made one for the inside. Please help me get some peace of mind or more sleepless nights.
[Editing for more info and clarification]
Compression joint was done about a foot away from the house foundation on the outside. Also, the house is only a decade old so the pipes are not in bad shape. The leak itself was a pinhole leak 3-4 inches away from the concrete(not inside concrete) in the basement, and only produced a drop every minute or so. There was some corrosion type green stuff where the leak was. The excavator said this was due to the concrete eating the pipe or something to that extend. He wrapped the new pipe couple of times with electrical tape to prevent it from happening again.
The excavator originally said he would use a flared joint outside, but on the day of work, he switched to compression. When I questioned him numerous times, and he was adamant that this was the best in the business, and even that the local water company uses it nowadays.
But I just don't trust rubber seals, and I told him that. He offered me reassurances that he replaced more flared joints than compression ones and on the receipt, a note that if it fails, he will do the job again at no cost. But what I am afraid of, AFTER all the work was done, is that this rubber seal will only probably fail in 10-15 years, and he will then be of old age or out of business.
Are my worries accurate? Please tell me I am wrong. I would think that flared connections are better for that kind of water pressure. It's not like he doesn't know how to make a flared joint as he made one for the inside. Please help me get some peace of mind or more sleepless nights.
[Editing for more info and clarification]
Compression joint was done about a foot away from the house foundation on the outside. Also, the house is only a decade old so the pipes are not in bad shape. The leak itself was a pinhole leak 3-4 inches away from the concrete(not inside concrete) in the basement, and only produced a drop every minute or so. There was some corrosion type green stuff where the leak was. The excavator said this was due to the concrete eating the pipe or something to that extend. He wrapped the new pipe couple of times with electrical tape to prevent it from happening again.
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