Line Stop in Creek

They called the Pro's!

The Bella Vista Water Utility District in Northern California needed to have a line stopped. They called up the pros at Tap Master to do an unusual line stop down in a deep creek bed. They had a riser that was the only place for a possible problem to occur in about 30 miles of piping.

                     Each Tap Master utility truck comes fully equipped for the job and

                     with heavy duty cranes.

   First an area in the creek bed had to be made so the work could begin.

Note: Riser - "An accident waiting to happen"

                  Nate tapes the Line Stop fitting that will allow the riser to be cut

                  off below grade.

A temporary line stop valve was threaded on the the line stop fitting.

The Hot Tap Machine was installed and the line stop fitting pressure tested.

             Nate found the job to be more difficult than he had imagined. The pipe

             was suppose to be unlined steel, but it was actually concrete lined. He

             had to switch from a high speed steel hole saw to a carbide-tipped unit

             which was needed to cut through the concrete.

              After the hot tap was completed, Nate inserted the Line Stop unit

              through the valve. He  then expanded the plug inside the unit to stop

              the water that was under pressure. He then opened the top of the valve

              to make sure the line stop was holding.

              The Bella Vista Water Crew then hooked a chain to the top of the valve

              and attached it to the bulldozer. They then cut through the pipe with a

              torch and moved the unit off to the side.

               Note: Nate had to get a 100% line stop so water would not hinder the

               welding procedure when the welders installed the cap.

              The cap was welded on to the top of the extruding pipe. Nate then

              backed off the line stop unit to check for leaks. The weld was perfect

              the first time out!

              The line stop unit was removed and a completion plug installed. Then

              the line stop valve was removed.

The unit was then capped.

              The job was complete! Now they can pour the concrete and cover up

              this old outlet.

Nate enjoying the fruit of his labor...Gatorade!