Originally Posted by
Jerry Peck
If the PEX or CPVC system is going to be at 80 psi, then the test is at 80 psi. I had one in two towers I was inspection where I went up to inspect that section of the system and the plumber said 'No need to bother with the inspection, they pumped the system up and had a fitting blow off and spray water all over, that fitting was never glued on, in fact we checked all the fittings here and NONE were glued on.' Yep, an apprentice had done the work, measured everything, cut everything, marked everything so he could take it apart and align the marks when he glued it back together, but apparently had gone to lunch, come back and said 'oh, guess I did finish there'. Nope, he had not.
Yeah, I've got a guy like that working under me. He's notorious for forgetting to crimp a ring or two on a job. No big deal when it's during the rough-in, after all, that's what the test is for. Not so insignificant when it's on a trim-out and he forgets to crimp a valvestop. >
On another day he nearly put a hole in his head. I test my systems at about 175psi typically. I use those blue dummyplugs for the showerhead stub-outs and one of the showerheads was a little off-center, so I asked him to adjust it a bit. So he stands right in front of the plug at eye level and begins to unscrew it. Part of me wanted to see what was going to happen, but.. I had to stop him.
Originally Posted by
Jerry Peck
Actually, it is the opposite, same with the increased pressure. 'They know' that 'other than plastic' piping is going to hold, that the piping itself is not going to crack, break, etc., and, using water instead of air, and at full pressure, will leave gushers (if you see them in time) and water all over if you miss the gushers. With air, if you are not there to hear it, once the pressure is gone, there is no evidence of the leak.
Of course, as a plumber, I am sure that you are well aware that cast iron DWV pipes are prone to cracks and pin hole leaks which only show up after that 5 foot of head (now 10 feet of head) is applied. - so it is not just 'plastic' but cast iron, of course, though, cast iron is not pressurized and plastic piping it.
Hm, so they want you to use water instead of air, because if the pipe has cracks in it it will be easier to find? I can't argue with that, but most of the leaks I've had are not so obvious, typically pinhole leaks in a nicked pipe, or a threaded fitting not tight enough that's got a drip. In situations like these, if you're expecting water to come out, it might take a while for the air to be purged from the lines before the water can get to that leak. I typically just hang around long enough to be sure the pressure hasn't dropped any, in which case air or water wouldn't make much of a difference.
Oh well, I suppose it's time to invest in a hydrostatic pump. In the past 3 years I've never been called out on this.