How can I tap into a metal water line without turning the water off?
I need to tap into a running cold water line, and seal it from leaks. No it is not the city water line, but still it can not be turned off. Self piercing saddle valves only cover copper and small sizes. This is a metal pipe, just like the one the city uses and just like the one going from my meter to the house. It appears to be 1.5 to 2.5 inches in diameter, and is steel, or iron, I can't tell, but I do know it is not copper. I just need to branch it off to supply water to another area. I can not go to one of the ends and use any fittings. It has to be tapped in a area where there is nothing but straight pipe. THANKS!
It can be done and there are a couple different ways but both require expensive specialty tools. The way that the answerer above talks about is one way and the method is called 'hot tapping' and requires a special saddle and drill. The other way is with a pipe freezing system where the pipe is frozen on both sides of the intended tap so water cannot flow then the pipe is cut and the tap is installed. In most towns there are companies that will do this for you. Check with a plumbing or mechanical contractor and they can direct you to someone who does it.
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