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frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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Q. Why was the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device designed?
A. The FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device was designed by licensed plumber Neal Borland. Neal knew that there had to be a better way to repair broken copper water pipes. Like you, Neal was fed up wasting time on jobs, trying to stop the water draining out of the line, using bread to block the flow of water which was only sometimes successful and using freezing companies.
Q. Why would a Plumber use the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device?
A. The FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device very easy to use and with its compact design the kit can sit behind your seat in your van/truck ready for any occasion. The FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device can be used on most broken copper water pipes on the outlet side of a water meter or other control valve. The FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device can be used to stop that annoying trickle of water and if necessary it can be used in both directions in the copper pipe.
Q. Why would a plumber use the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device instead of bread to plug the water line?
A. Like most maintenance plumbers Neal Borland had used bread many times to stop the flow of water and plug the water pipe. However bread is not ideal because it doesn’t always hold back the water for long enough to carry out repairs and when turning the water back on, all of the bread doesn’t always come back out of the pipe which can cause blockages in smaller pipe lines and/or taps and toilet cisterns. When you use the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device you will avoid these problems on your jobs.
Q. Can the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device be charged out for use?
A. Yes, definitely due the time the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device will save you on your jobs. Also, if you normally pay someone else to freeze your lines you could now charge out for using the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device instead. The feedback from our clients to date, has been that they are charging AU$100 - AU$150 each time they use the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device. Neal has been charging out when he uses FLOWSTOPPER™ in his plumbing business for almost 12 months whilst he has been trialing the product with his clients. By charging the tool out when you use it you can create a new revenue stream for your business.
Q. Can the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device be used in gas lines?
A. No, it has been designed for water use only.
Q. How quickly will the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device kit pay for its self?
A. The kit should pay for itself in two to three uses. This will depend on your charge out rate when you use it on your jobs.
Q. Will the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device save Plumber’s time repairing broken water pipes?
A. Yes! You will definitely save time when you need to stop the residual flow of water on the section of copper pipe to be repaired. It could be from one hour to many hours depending on the nature of the job.
Q. Is the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device an Australian product?
A. Yes! It is Australian designed, made and owned.
Q. What length are the stainless steel hoses and what temperature are the hoses rated to?
A. The kit contains two stainless steel hoses, one is braided and the other is unbraided and both hoses are 1.3 metres in length. Both stainless steel hoses are rated at 816°C whilst inside the copper pipe. This means that you can oxy acetylene weld whilst the hose remains in the pipe.
Q. If necessary can the stainless steel hoses be joined together?
A. Yes, should the need for extra distance in the copper pipe ever be required
Simply screw out the valve core (male end) from one of the stainless steel hoses and attach to the female end of the second stainless steel hose, this will now give you 2.6 metres of hose. Multiple stainless steel hoses can be joined. Alternatively, custom made stainless steel hose lengths are available via special order in either braided or unbraided. Click here for a list of replacement parts.
Q. How do I get the stainless steel hose in and out of the pipe?
A. The unbraided stainless steel hose is mainly designed for pipe sizes 20mm - 40mm / ¾”– 1 ½ “ and a minimum T-piece opening of 25mm / 1” is required. Note: This also includes the 20mm / ¾” pipe as you will not be able to remove hose and bladder from a 20mm / ¾” tee piece. Therefore 25mm / 1” tee piece will be required with 25mm x 20mm / 1” x ¾” reducers either side.
The braided stainless steel hose is mainly designed for pipes sizes 50mm -100mm / 2” – 4” and a minimum tee piece opening of 25mm /1” and 32mm / 1 ¼” or 40mm / 1 ½” for larger sized pipes 65mm -100mm / 2 ½ - 4” is required.
The T-piece opening will need to have a male or female thread for ease of screwing a brass cap on for completion once the hose has been removed.
Q. What sized pipes can you use the bladders in?
A. There are three different sized bladders
Small bladder for pipes 20mm – 32mm / ¾” – 1 ¼”
Medium bladder for pipes 40mm – 50mm / 1 ½” - 2”
Large bladder for pipes 65mm – 100mm / 2 ½” – 4”
Q. Approximately what pressure will the bladders hold back?
A. Small bladder 80-90Kpa / Medium and Large bladder 40-50 Kpa
The FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device is not designed to hold back mains pressure. The device is designed to be used on the outlet side of a water meter or other control valve.
Q. How far does a bladder need to be pushed past the join to be welded?
A. A minimum 600mm (24”) past the join to be welded is required however we recommend as far past as possible. If this can not be achieved we recommend using a product such as “Cool Gel” (by LA-CO) on the pipe work to slow down the heat transfer process. You can also use “Cool Gel” on the stainless steel hoses to extend their life.
Q. Can the stainless steel hose and bladder be pushed around a bend?
A. Yes, preferably only one bend as multiple bends may damage the hose. You may need to do this to get your minimum 600mm (24”) distance from the join to be welded. All of the bladders have been designed with a hard “cap end” to protect the bladder in these situations. We always advise doing this with care to protect the stainless steel hose and bladder.
Q. How do I deflate the bladder to remove it from the pipe?
A. The only valve where air can be removed is on one end of the stainless steel hose which will be sticking out of the tee piece opening. It is similar to a car tyre air valve so you can easily use your fingernail or screwdriver to open the valve and release the air.
Q. The bladder deflated whilst I had it up the pipe, what should I do?
A. Firstly check for any leaks on the hose bladder or bladder connection to the hose using a bucket of water to submerge all components. Teflon tape is not normally required at screwed bladder connection as o-ring seals the connection.
If no leaks are founds the other problem may be air escaping at the non-return fitting in the hand air pump’s flexible hose. We would recommend unscrewing the hand air pump from the stainless steel hose after inflating the bladder to stop this from occurring.
Remember to firstly inflate bladder slightly more than required because some air lose will occur when you unscrew the air connection from the stainless steel hose.
Q. How many times can I reuse the stainless steel hoses and bladders?
A. They can be used multiple times. Our minimum guide is 5 -15 uses of any stainless steel hose and/or bladder however if they are used according to our instructions and looked after their life expectancy will exceed this.
Q. Does the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device come with any guarantee?
A. Yes, your FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device is covered by our 12 month limited guarantee against defective workmanship or parts commencing on the date you purchase the product. Full details are available in the “user guide” which comes with every FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device kit.
Q. Can I get replacement parts for the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device?
A. Yes! Replacement parts are available through our stockists, Reece Plumbing Centres, Plumbers Supplies Co-op and Samios Plumbing Supplies (QLD)
Q. Will pressure build up in the pipeline if the control valve does not shut off properly?
A. Yes! Definitely water pressure will build up behind the FLOWSTOPPER™ plugging device bladder and this may vary depending on how well the control valve shuts down. We strongly recommend to turn on the nearest upstream hose tap or other water pipe opening to release as much pressure build up as possible. If this can not be done EXTREME CAUTION must be taken as the bladder could be pushed back down the line.
If you have another question you would like us to answer please email us info@flowstopper.com.au
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