Plumbing tip of the day

[Andrew Gabriel]

Added a new radiator at the weekend, to a vented system which I had recently added new inhibitor. New rad is on top floor and I had laid on the pipework previously, so only a towel rail needed draining, and the expansion tank. Not wanting to lose the inhibitor in the expansion tank, I wanted to plug the outlet. Hunted around, and then hit on the idea of using the plug of silicone which sets in the nozzle of a silicone gun tube. Blew the plug out backwards with a compressed air can, and it worked perfectly.

[www.GymRatZ.co.uk]

Genius. I'll save the next ones I come across and put them in my plumbing box for future use.

Great tip.

[dr.s.lartius]

I have, long ago, successfully used a raw carrot for a similar purpose.

[Graham.]

Small Dutch boy anyone?

[Davey]

Was the taste affected?

[Brian Gaff]

After some experience of trying to do pipework when young, my tip of the day is get a plumber in unless its a simple waste pipe issue... Brian

[spuorgelgoog]

Traditionally it was a carrot on the tank outlet and a potato over the end of the vent pipe.

Owain

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Many years ago I bought a set of rubber plugs for precisely this sort of job. With string attached to make them easier to remove, and less likely to get lost.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

You missed out. Bending and soldering copper tube to a neat job is one of life's little pleasures.

[Andy Burns]

+1 as they say.