Changing a Garden Tap

onetwothreefour on 13/02/2019 - 16:44
Last edited 16/02/2019 - 13:27

Hi All,

Looking for people with plumbing knowledge.

Now I know I'm technically not supposed to do this myself as I am not a licensed plumber but I'm still going to give it a go anyway.

I have a garden tap (in my garden) that is low down near the ground. I want to change it to a tap on a post like this one https://www.bunnings.com.au/kinetic-20mm-garden-tap-post-wit…

Is it as easy as cutting the pipe below where my current tap is connected and then using a bit of new pipe and some compression fittings to connect it all together?

Appreciate anyones help if you know what to do.

Thanks

Photo if anyone is interested https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/63008/66880/20190216_1…

Home & Garden Plumbing

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2019 - 16:51

    I would think of the potential insurance consequences.

  • Seedy seed on 13/02/2019 - 16:53

    Plumbing is very easy, that said if it leaks and you flood your house thats your issue.

    • onetwothreefour on 13/02/2019 - 17:05

      It's by my front fence on the ground, my house is raised so no problem there.

      Although my neighbors house could get flooded…

      • Seedy seed on 14/02/2019 - 00:21

        Yep you will be liable. Id try the route of offering a plumber friend a carton to do it.

  • pjetson on 13/02/2019 - 16:57
    +2

    DIYers usually can't/don't properly install compression fittings, so the chance of a leak is quite high.

  • Roofus on 13/02/2019 - 16:57

    Yes its that simple, make sure you turn your mains water off first though before cutting the pipe

    • onetwothreefour on 13/02/2019 - 17:06

      Yep definitely.

    • rompastompa on 13/02/2019 - 17:47

      Or don't, but make sure someone is filming your handy work.

      • pjetson on 13/02/2019 - 22:29
        +1

        Have you ever seen the water company replace the water meter on a live pipe? They did mine once, a couple of years ago. Fascinating - I'm sorry I didn't think to film it.

        • skillet on 14/02/2019 - 23:22

          Is this a movie trailer? We need the whole story!

  • Numpty21 on 13/02/2019 - 16:59

    is the existing pipe pvc?

    • onetwothreefour on 13/02/2019 - 17:05

      Copper

      • EightImmortals on 13/02/2019 - 17:10
        +1

        hmmmm, if it's copper I would get a plumber to come and do it properly. I've fixed busted poly and replaced leaky taps and washers no problem but cutting into metal pipe goes over my fear factor threshhold.

        • onetwothreefour on 13/02/2019 - 21:46

          I'm either brave or stupid, I guess I'll find out which one soon enough.

          • SlickMick on 14/02/2019 - 21:50
            +1

            @onetwothreefour: Just think of the feeling you'll have if something goes wrong (something always does - or is that just me?) and you can't turn the water back on until it's fixed… and you can't fix it so now you need a plumber at emergency call out rates… just the embarrassment of having to admit my stuff-up would keep me from going down this path.

            • onetwothreefour on 15/02/2019 - 14:14

              @SlickMick: I'd never get anything done myself if I felt like that. I've been doing lots of renos the past few years so am pretty confident, just never done any plumbing work before.

            • brendanm on 16/02/2019 - 12:07

              @SlickMick: Literally just cap the pipe. It's a copper pipe sticking out of the ground outside, it's fairly low risk as far as diy plumbing goes.

        • onetwothreefour on 03/03/2019 - 21:40
          +1

          Just letting everyone know that I changed this tap this weekend, thanks for all of the advice. No leaks yet and I still need to backfill the hole but waiting to see if it leaks over the next couple of days.

          https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/63008/67288/img_201903…

          https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/63008/67289/img_201903…

      • Numpty21 on 13/02/2019 - 17:13

        pvc would have been easier.
        It's still a straightforward job, if you have the right connections etc.
        Outdoors, so relatively low risk if you c0ck it up
        Let us know how you go

        • onetwothreefour on 13/02/2019 - 21:47

          Yeah pvc would have been better, I've replaced all my stormwater pipes so pretty confident with pvc but never tried copper pipes from the main line.

  • AlexG on 13/02/2019 - 17:28
    +3

    Its not that hard, and Youtube is your friend. Go for it!

  • [Deactivated] on 13/02/2019 - 19:46

    Watch the videos for compression fittings and follow closely. Cannot get any simpler.

    Monitor your joints. Tie some papertowel on all new joints and leave it for a few days. If outdoor, you may need to shield the paper towels if it may rain. If it is damp in the slightest…

    Good luck.

  • apu on 13/02/2019 - 21:09
    +1

    Do you have to be a licensed plumber to do this type of work? I would have thought it was mainly around gasfitting etc where the licensing stuff is important.

    • onetwothreefour on 14/02/2019 - 08:41

      You're allowed to change a washer on a leaky tap other than that then you are supposed to get a licensed plumber to do it.

  • ramshead on 14/02/2019 - 08:32

    I used smartex pushfit connectors from Bunnings. Great product.
    Had tree root damage to copper pipe. Used plastic type pipe to repair. Keep connection points really clean.
    Left hole unfilled for a week. No leaks.

  • Hobbo on 14/02/2019 - 09:20

    Are you sure the pipe is copper? & not galvanised pipe. I find it hard to believe it is copper for a front yard tap. If copper pipe then compression fittings & a support post, the copper is not ridged enough to support the tap being turned on /off.

    • SlickMick on 14/02/2019 - 21:54

      Yeah been there - the copper bends when trying to tighten the tap fitting :(

  • ramshead on 15/02/2019 - 14:03

    Make sure pipe ends are very clean and smooth. Worked fine for me.

    • onetwothreefour on 15/02/2019 - 14:13

      What did you use to cut the pipe?

      • ramshead on 16/02/2019 - 10:23

        Kinetic tube cutter combo pack for 1/2@3/4 copper pipe. About $20. Good gear.bunnings.

  • Micko179 on 16/02/2019 - 05:15

    Photo of existing?

  • whooah1979 on 16/02/2019 - 13:30

    Garden Tap

    Changing a garden tap doesn't require a plumber.

    https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/63008/66880/20190216_1…
    You need a few tools like 2 spanners, thread tape, fittings and youtube.
    https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-range/bathroom-plumbing/plum…

  • ramshead on 17/02/2019 - 10:31

    Based on the picture you don't need to cut anything.
    Take off the taps. If you can get the rusted gal 3 way off, then all you need is some new gal fittings and a length of pipe of the desired height. Refit taps.
    Make sure you support the New tap with a sturdy stake.

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