Re BullNBear52, water / bread in pipes...
Yes I use the bread option quite often.
But sometimes there's just a pipe which won't drain, or a slow leak in a shutoff valve. Then I usually get out my shop vac and suck out the pipe for a while and that usually gives me enough time to get the job done.
I work in mostly old houses (100 year old range) and the main shutoffs are usually a little leaky and fragile. So I often add a new large brass / teflon seal ball valve a couple of feet above the old valve. I use my shop vac and a small tube down the pipe to suck out the water, then quickly sweat on the new valve before the water fills back in. Then tag out the old valve directing all to use the new valve.
Also had to use the above method once when replacing a broken main valve. City shut off the water but the valves in the front yard are also usually quite leaky.
PS when putting in valves make sure to get a full bore valve, ie; often the cheaper ones that say 1/2 " are designed to fit 1/2" pipe but internally they are more like 3/8".
As usual great site guys, lots of ideas.
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