Blue Pipe issues joining 20mm to 25mm etc.

[Blue Pied Piper]

Good day! Top of the morning! Well not really.
1. Another blue pipe leak to find. I've narrowed it down to s stretch and suspect joints where 20mm joined to 25mm mains. Any knowledge whether this causes added pressure?
2.I used a stethoscope to hear water flow on top of an insulation pipe and just on its own on the ground. Yes you certainly can hear the flow of water but not at drip or small flow level. Also a Thames Water bloke said the pipes with wooden earpiece they use don't work well on blue pipe. Any comments on finding the leak besides a). They normally occur at joints b.) trees and shrubs can push pipe into sharp rocks as they grow. c.) look for damp areas. THE LEAK IS GROWING SO I NEED TO FIND IT. HELP!
3. If I turn the mains off does the water in the pipe travel back down if on a slope? I've noticed that a stoptap I dug up underground is damp underneath and although stopcock is not leaking might it be from a leak above it?
4. In case anyone interested the JG pushfit does not come undone even with gorilla hands. The sleeve end will push back but impossible to push collar forward underground and get a pipe length back. Back to Plasson nuts.
5. What is a trencher actually?
THANK YOU FOR ANY COMMENTS.

 

[David.]

Only ever use Plasson here, never a problem.

 

[Limcrazy]

Stay calm there's plenty of water about.
probably easier to dig it out and replace with a length of new 25mm than start fixing. Less joints you can have the better.

 

[Tubbylew]

Good day! Top of the morning! Well not really.
1. Another blue pipe leak to find. I've narrowed it down to s stretch and suspect joints where 20mm joined to 25mm mains. Any knowledge whether this causes added pressure?
2.I used a stethoscope to hear water flow on top of an insulation pipe and just on its own on the ground. Yes you certainly can hear the flow of water but not at drip or small flow level. Also a Thames Water bloke said the pipes with wooden earpiece they use don't work well on blue pipe. Any comments on finding the leak besides a). They normally occur at joints b.) trees and shrubs can push pipe into sharp rocks as they grow. c.) look for damp areas. THE LEAK IS GROWING SO I NEED TO FIND IT. HELP!
3. If I turn the mains off does the water in the pipe travel back down if on a slope? I've noticed that a stoptap I dug up underground is damp underneath and although stopcock is not leaking might it be from a leak above it?
4. In case anyone interested the JG pushfit does not come undone even with gorilla hands. The sleeve end will push back but impossible to push collar forward underground and get a pipe length back. Back to Plasson nuts.
5. What is a trencher actually?
THANK YOU FOR ANY COMMENTS.

Had several here over the years, unfortunatley it's just a case of digging until you find it, exposing the pipes and putting in stopcocks to narrow it down, had 2 leaks here that were running down field drains so no obvious signs, can be a nightmare, make sure you are insured that takes some stress out of it.

 

[Raider112]

There shouldn't be any added pressure on 20 to 25mm joints so as long as the correct innards were used it should be fine.
What length of pipe is in the problem area? replacing that section could be the best way unless it's a long length.

 

[Tractor Tim]

Good day! Top of the morning! Well not really.
1. Another blue pipe leak to find. I've narrowed it down to s stretch and suspect joints where 20mm joined to 25mm mains. Any knowledge whether this causes added pressure?
2.I used a stethoscope to hear water flow on top of an insulation pipe and just on its own on the ground. Yes you certainly can hear the flow of water but not at drip or small flow level. Also a Thames Water bloke said the pipes with wooden earpiece they use don't work well on blue pipe. Any comments on finding the leak besides a). They normally occur at joints b.) trees and shrubs can push pipe into sharp rocks as they grow. c.) look for damp areas. THE LEAK IS GROWING SO I NEED TO FIND IT. HELP!
3. If I turn the mains off does the water in the pipe travel back down if on a slope? I've noticed that a stoptap I dug up underground is damp underneath and although stopcock is not leaking might it be from a leak above it?
4. In case anyone interested the JG pushfit does not come undone even with gorilla hands. The sleeve end will push back but impossible to push collar forward underground and get a pipe length back. Back to Plasson nuts.
5. What is a trencher actually?
THANK YOU FOR ANY COMMENTS.

In regards to the push fit if you get a bit of pop bottle and push it in around the pipe then the claws aren't holding the pipe and you should be able to pull it out
Hope this makes sense

 

[TedOfTheLowerMeadow]

I find digging in a place you're confident there will NOT be a water pipe.... will rapidly reveal a... water pipe. usually its leaking by time I find it.

 

[milkloss]

Either get a man with a gas sniffer in or buy a water meter and put it in Strategic locations until you find the leak. Gas sniffer man will be pricey but might be the cheapest in the long run.