temporarily removing a vampire tap

[kzinNOSPAM99]

Hello,

We're replacing a section of drywall in the kitchen and cold water supply pipe comes out of this section. Usually it would be simple to just cut a small circle out of the drywall for the pipe but this one already has a vampire tap (i think that's what they are called) on it with the flexible icemaker supply tubing.

I'm thinking that if we remove that it might be a real pain to get reseated and leak free afterwards. Anyone played with this problem before? Unfortunately I don't really have the pipe available to just cut it, sweat a new cap on and retap it.

If its a pain to reseat we'll just slice a groove out of the drywall and patch it but if it's simple i'd just assume cut the circle out instead. What I don't want to do is remove it and find out it's impossible to reseat.

thoughts?

thanks ml

[Charles Spitzer]

it would be almost impossible to reseat it to not leak. they tend to really corrode internally.

[Grandpa Koca]

A "vampire" tap is just a leak waiting to happen. IMHO, the smart way would be to replace that pipe and install a regular water valve with a connection for the ice maker. Not sure from your description, but it sounds like you have just a capped stub out with a vampire tap. If that's what you have, then I would most definitely replace the cap with a real valve; or cut back the pipe at the tap and install a real valve if there's enough room. Fix it right while you have the drywall off now or rue the day.

[kzinNOSPAM99]

sound advice. getting the new valve as we speak.

thanks ml

[sleepdog]

Vampire tap = saddle valve?

[kzinNOSPAM99]

yep. a non-issue now as we sweated a new piece of copper into the ell and installed a supply valve w/a compression fitting, as was suggested by everyone who answered.

one less thing to worry about

[TPutmann]

Vampire Tap ???????

WTF ??????????? :)

[Grandpa Koca]

Saddle valve:

Vampire tap. And now you know! :-)

[Richard J Kinch]

I hope you drove a wooden stake through the heart of that valve. Otherwise, you may be seeing it again.