I am repairing an outside pvc water line which is joined with glue. My problem is that I can't get the main line shut-off valve completely closed and there is a very slow stream (actually a drip every few seconds) coming out of the pipe that I want to add a coupling to (which should be dry for best results). Someone told me once that there is a substance (perhaps some sort of food product) that can be put in the pipe in a situation like this that will temporarily stop the flow of water. That substance will eventually dissolve allowing free water flow after the repair with no bad effects (plugging, etc) downstream. If this is a tried and true technique, would you be able to tell me what substance should be used to temporarily damn up the flow? Appreciate it. Thanks, Al

if it is a 'slow' drip you may stuff bread into the pipe to stop it temporarily

imo: prep the end of the pipe except for primer and 'glue' ~ have a 'full port' ball valve handy AND OPEN ~ stuff pipe with bread to absorb water TEMPORARILLY, ~ prime valve and pipe ~ glue pipe ~ attach valve with a twisting action and LEAVE OPEN ~ wait 1 hour then turn water on to blow out bread debris ~ shut water and close the new valve ~ proceed from there

==============================================

"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638



Edited 1 times.

This works with pvc, but I wouldn't try it with cpvc. Some glues don't cure as well in the cold, so take that into consideration.

Where's the water coming from ? Can't you turn the water off at the water meter ?

There is a pvc glue called wet dry that nwill work either blue or red color HOT