What are my options for repairing a galvanized steel pipe threads?

[Tilopa]

Helping my neighbor who is very old and on social security. He has an outdoor galvanized pipe shutoff valve that is broken (does not shutoff), and the thread it showing serious rust. See pics. This shutoff shuts water off at the house. And to work on this I need to shut the water of at the property which will affect 3 homes.

My concern is that if the pipe breaks when removing the valve, I don't know how to fix that situation, and these 3 home will be without water until I do.

So, what are my options for fixing broken galvanized steel pipe? If I end up having to cut the pipe clean are there any glue-on (epoxy or whatever) fittings I can use? Or can I rethread this on my own with relatively inexpensive tools?

Thanks.

 

[oldVermonter]

Not a plumber, but I do most of my own work. I think this is where you should spend the money and hire a professional.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[GReynolds929]

I would dig down and expose the joint the vertical pipe is screwed into, before shutting water off, then have a brass riser and ball valve put together and ready to go. Shut water off remove old pipe and valve. Install new pipe and ball valve.

 

[Tilopa]

I would dig down and expose the joint the vertical pipe is screwed into, before shutting water off, then have a brass riser and ball valve put together and ready to go. Shut water off remove old pipe and valve. Install new pipe and ball valve.

I forgot to mention that the pipe is coming up out of a concrete slab.

 

[Fitter30]

Box stores and plumbing supply houses have compression couplings pipe size that come in brass and galvanized with epdm seals.I Could cut below valve. Screw on a new valve and with brass or galvanized nipple cut one thread off. Install the coupling after cleaning the old pipe. That old valve is only screwed into it by couple of threads three at best.

 

[John Gayewski]

I think when your remove the valve you will see the three threads are OK. The rust your seeimg is most likley buildup and not rot.

That said. You can cut that pipe and borrow a hand threader from a hardware store. You'll need a pipe wrench to hold the pipe steady while you thread it. A buddy to hold the wrench would be better.

You could call a plumber and tell him you'll help him to make it go quicker. Probably $500.

 

[Reach4]

I think when your remove the valve you will see the three threads are OK. The rust your seeimg is most likley buildup and not rot.

That said. You can cut that pipe and borrow a hand threader from a hardware store. You'll need a pipe wrench to hold the pipe steady while you thread it. A buddy to hold the wrench would be better.

You could call a plumber and tell him you'll help him to make it go quicker. Probably $500.

Good point. Tilopa, if you pull that valve, you have an option of using a thread chaser die on the existing threads, or to use a regular die to chase the threads. Chasing means to repair the threads with some small amount of additional cutting.

When using a die, it is important to not cross-thread.

 

[Tilopa]

Thanks all.

I think I'm going to try Fitter30's idea. None of my local hardware stores have pipe threaders for rent. My only concern is that if I use a compression coupler below the shutoff valve is that going to be strong enough to hold everything in place?

 

[John Gayewski]

Thanks all.

I think I'm going to try Fitter30's idea. None of my local hardware stores have pipe threaders for rent. My only concern is that if I use a compression coupler below the shutoff valve is that going to be strong enough to hold everything in place?

Probably not permanent.

 

[Fitter30]

If its not solid enough two riser clamps one below coupling the other top of the valve two pieces of all thread rod.
www.homedepot.com/p/PLUMBFLEX-3-4-in-Riser-Clamp-in-Galvanized-Steel-34CLRSG/309742669