Have questions regarding which types of products you need for your job? Have questions about our products or how to use them properly?
A service saddle is a smaller more economical unit that uses an O-ring gasket to seal the saddle and the pipe. There are four basic styles: Single bale, Single wide strap, Dual bale and Dual wide strap. The bale style works best on harder pipe like Carbon Steel, Ductile Iron and Cast Iron. The wider strap units work well on softer metals like copper and PVC.
We offer products for mainly the Waterworks industry. The hot tap supply industry dictates that 3/4" and above is what they manufacture. However 1/2" outlets can be special ordered for several styles if needed. Many companies use a 3/4" outlet and only make a 1/2" hole with their cutter for flow or simply use an inexpensive reducer from 3/4" to 1/2".
There are not a lot of options for hot tap saddles or sleeves for copper tubing (pipe). We carry the PowerSeal PowerStop S/S Hot Tap Sleeve with exact fit NBR gasket. The has sizes from 3/4" dia to 8.00&#; dia with male IP outlets from 3/4" to 4.00&#; including size-on-size from 3/4&#;x3/4&#; to 4&#;x12&#;x4&#;. The has a full circle gasket that eliminates all electrolysis on copper application. We also have in limited sizes and applications bronze and ductile iron wide strap service saddles that work with copper pipe too.
This can be achieved through several different methods. The most popular way if the water in the line is not flowing is pipe freezing. Pipe Freeze Kits using CO2 are an inexpensive way to get the job done when draining the system is not an option. By pipe freezing you can place a PSI ice plug on one or both sides of your repair, complete the job and just let the ice plug thaw out. It just requires a pipe freeze kit and dip tube CO2 cylinders.
The second way is a little more complicated and expensive. If you can&#;t shut off a valve and stop the flow a Line Stop will allow you to accomplish the same task. It requires Hot Tapping the pipe and then doing a Line Stop. This requires a Hot Tap Machine, Valve, Hydrostatic pump, Line Stop Machine and Saddle.
This depends on your application and size of the pipe. There are two types of pipe freeze kits. The most popular for 1/8&#; to 2.00&#; pipe is the CST-2 Cold-Shot Pipe Freeze Kit by General Wire. It comes with dual pipe freeze capability that fits into small places and uses only a 20lb dip tube CO-2 cylinder.
The second most popular style is the freeze jacket style like the economical Arctic Freeze Kit (1/4&#; to 6.00&#; pipe) or the more industrial model, the Qwik-Freeze Kit (3/4" to 8.00") The jackets take more room to use but can go beyond 2.00&#; pipe. They can also freeze the line with about a 20-30% glycol mix.
There were not a lot of inexpensive options for fixing a leaking solder joint without shutting down the system until the Insta-ClampTM was born. The Insta-Clamp can fix a 1/2" to 4.00" copper solder joint leak in just a few minutes with its unique step-up NBR Waffle gasket. It allows you to do a permanent or temporary repair in minutes without draining or shutting down the system or using a lot of time and materials.
Hot tapping is also known as wet tapping. It is a way to tap into a water line while it is under pressure and add a line, drain the system or add a Thermowell or sensor. You place a hot tap service saddle or sleeve onto the line. You add a valve and test the connection under pressure with a hydrostatic pump. Then you place the hot tap machine onto the value through a water tight packing gland, open the valve and lower the cutter and retention pilot down until it touches the pipe. You then drill into the pipe manually or with an electric or air driven unit that cuts a hole in the pipe. The retention pipe grabs the cut out coupon so it doesn&#;t fall down into the pipe where it could cause a problem down he line. You then retract the cutter and pilot up into the hot tap machine, close the valve and you have completed a hot tap.
When you can&#;t stop the flow in a line and need to do a repair without draining the system or causing a long shut down, a line stop works well. Line stopping is similar to hot tapping in that you will be tapping into a live line under pressure. You will then remove the hot tap machine and place a line stop machine onto the valve. A line stop machine has rubber bladders that act like line plugs that will expand after being lowered down into the pipe. Once the flow is stopped, the repair can be performed. Completion of the job has the line stop machine retracted, removed and shutting the value off. A completion plug setting tool is placed on the valve and screws a completion plug down into the outlet. You remove the plug setting tool, remove the valve and add a cap and your job is completed.
We prefer you call us if you need your products by a certain date. We want to ensure you get what you need when you need it, and strive to make this happen at the lowest cost to you. If we offered next day shipping and you chose that method, but were within one day of transit through ground shipping, it would be difficult to adjust your total. We also want to verify availability of the product to correctly assess which mode of shipping would best suit your needs. The online shopping cart does not enable us to serve you as well as we can in person. To calculate your shipping costs properly for expedited shipping, we prefer to take your order by at 1-877-PIPEMAN (747-). This ensures the lowest UPS rate if you need expedited shipping.
Question: With so many products to choose from, how do I know which tapping sleeve I need?
Answer: Knowing which tapping sleeve to use can be difficult. If you don&#;t know which product to buy, please call us Toll Free at 1-877-PIPEMAN (747-) and let us help you. To correctly assess which product will meet your needs we need to know several things:
1. Type of Pipe: (carbon steel, PVC, copper, Ductile Iron, C900 ACP and others).
2. Correct Pipe O.D.: (some saddles have range and some are exact fit).
3. Contents in the Line: (Saddles do offer several types of gaskets for different applications).
4. Temperature and Maximum PSI: (water sewer and air/gas lines have different ratings).
5. Location of the Line: (above/below ground, inside/outside and type of soil can make a difference).
Question: We are interested in your powerseal hot tap sleeve to tap into an existing copper tower water line without draining the system, and minimal shut down time. I would like more information on how the tap is actually made after the sleeve is installed.
Answer: The PS SS Hot Tap Sleeve is the premier tapping saddle for copper pipe. They are available in 3/4&#;x3/4&#; to 8&#;x3&#; and size-on-size i.e. 2&#;x2&#; 4&#;x4&#; etc. To use this or any other hot tap saddle or sleeve you need a Hot Tap machine. There are portable units that can do a 3/4&#;-2.00&#; tap or our professional models that can go to 6&#; taps. They range from $649.00 and up for the portable units and $3,995.00 and up for the professional model.
You place the saddle/sleeve on the line and add a valve (ball valve, gate valve. Corp stop). Then you test the saddle for fit and pressure retention with a hydrostatic test pump which goes through the valve. The hot tap machine has a packing gland which seals at the valve. Then you tap the pipe using the hot tap machine that lowers a hole saw and pilot with retention wires to capture the cut out metal or plastic coupon. When done with the tap you retract the assembly up into the hot tap machine and close the valve. Job completed ready for draining or adding a line etc.
What is the difference between the JCM Service Saddles - Models 402, 404, 406 and 408?
The JCM 402 and the JCM 404 utilize the heavy duty double strap saddle body with corrosion resistant shop coat primer. The 402 is furnished with two electro galvanized straps (bales) for 2.00"-12.00", on sizes 15.20" and larger the 402 incorporated two fabricated steel straps. The 404 is furnished with two wide stainless steel straps.
The JCM 406 and JCM 408 utilize the heavy duty double strap saddle body with a fusion applied, heavy resilient plastic coating. The JCM 406 is furnished with two wide stainless steel straps. The model 408 is furnished with two coated steel straps (bales).
Question: When would I use a weld on fitting instead of a bolt on fitting?
Answer: There are many reasons why a weld on fitting would be used instead of a bolt on fitting. First and foremost is cost if the application allows welding. Secondly is temperature or PSI requirements. Normally weld on fittings can take a higher PSI and temperature.
Question: Which type of weld on fitting do I need?
Answer: Which style of weld on fitting you need may depend largely on the code requirements in your area. For instance, some areas have codes which prohibit vertical welds onto the existing pipe, so those styles would not be acceptable, yet other areas have codes that require a full circle body. It really depends on what is allowed or disallowed in that area.
Question: Which hot tap machine would meet my needs?
Answer: It depends largely on what size tap you need to perform and how you plan on using your machine. For commercial use, and for taps up to 6.00", the TM-1 Pro Series is the model that will hold up to daily use. If you need to perform taps 2.00" or smaller and will only use the machine on occasion, the Wheeler Rex and the Wheeler Rex are great manual tapping machines. The APAC 901 DrillMaster is a great manual machine as well, and is capable of taps up to 2-1/2". Both the Wheeler Rex and the DrillMaster have additional available for matching up with unique thread patterns where the TM-1 and Wheeler Rex are designed with NPT threads only.
Question: What is the difference between your Relton Carbide Cutters and the Blu-Mol or TapMaster Carbide Hole Saws?
Answer: The Blu-Mol and TapMaster Carbide hole saws have carbide tips, which allow for greater heat and wear resistance than bi-metal saws. The Relton Carbide Cutters have brazed carbide teeth which have great endurance, can be sharpened, and can be replaced if needed.
Question: Why does the line stop sleeve for 1-1/2&#; pipe have both 1-1/2&#; and 1-1/4&#; outlets?
Answer: The different outlets accommodate different models of Qualitech line stop machines, which are both capable of stopping 1-1/2&#; lines. The Qualitech Model stops 1-1/4&#; and 1-1/2&#; lines through a 1-1/4&#; stopper nipple, while the Model stops 1-1/2&#; and 2.00&#; lines through a 1-1/2&#; nipple.
Question: Does the Qualitech line stop equipment perform the tap that will allow the plug into the line?
Answer: No. The line stop equipment is only for inserting and removing the stopper plug, then installing the completion plug to cap the outlet on the stopper nipple. Qualitech makes tapping machines, but any tapping equipment can be used.
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Question: Can any of these pipe freeze kits freeze lines containing glycol?
Answer: The bag-style freeze kits have a greater chance of freezing lines containing small amounts of glycol, but not within the freeze times listed. Knowing the concentration of glycol is hard to determine; consider the antifreeze in your car that came from the factory with a known percentage of antifreeze in the radiator, but who knows what percentage that is after years of use and adding fluids. Whenever dealing with glycol it is highly recommended that you obtain a sample of the line contents and perform a test freeze with the same type of pipe in a controlled environment. This test will help you determine how long it will take to get the line to freeze and how much CO2 will be needed to perform the freeze on the job site.
Question: Do you have to use gloves when using hot dam? Are there Harmful chemicals in this product?
The materials safety data sheet for Hot-Dam warns, &#;This product, used as intended, may cause temporary mild irritation to sensitive skin. Pre-existing skin and respiratory conditions may be aggravated by exposure.&#; Use precautionary measures if you have sensitive skin or respiratory conditions, and wash hands thoroughly after handling this product.
Question: What can I use to repair solder joints on a 6.00" copper line?
Answer: We currently do not have a clamp specifically designed for this application. There are a couple of products that may work for this application, but we cannot guarantee their success. If you are willing to take the chance on a nonreturnable item, call us to discuss the products that may work.
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Question: Do you have a metric OD tape measure?
Answer: Yes. Our 24&#; OD tape does have both centimeters and 100th&#;s of inches on the diameter side of the tape.
Question: What is the temperature rating of the Jet Swet plumbing plug?
Answer: Although the Jet Swet plumbing plugs to not have a specific temperature rating, the gasket material is a blend of silicone an NBR gasket material which is made to tolerate the heat they would endure from soldering the line which they are plugging. The contents of the line would rarely be an issue, and if the concern is damaging the gasket, you can always apply our hot dam heat stopping compound.
Question: Do you offer ball valves that are not listed on your web site?
Answer: Yes. We have the full line of Jomar products available, but since there are so many products, we are not able to list them at this time. Call us and let us find what you are looking for.
Question: Couldn&#;t I just use air to test my fittings before performing a tap?
The manufacturers of our tapping sleeves and tapping saddles highly recommend hydrostatic testing since water and air behave differently. If a saddle fails an air test and is sent back to the manufacturer for a return, when they test it using water and it passes, a refund will not be issued. It makes sense to test with the contents of the pipe, or at least similar contents. View our hydrostatic pumps now.
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Question: If I need to clamp at two locations, do I need to buy two of these shut off tools?
Answer: No. You can purchase additional clamps that can be left on the line without the machine. See our accessories page on the PDF Price Sheet Page. Contact our National Sales Manager, Steve McCallister before posting to verify and to see if we should add the clamps to the cart.
Pipe clamps, or pipe fixings, are best defined as the support mechanism for suspended pipes, whether that be horizontal overhead or vertical, adjacent to a surface. They are vital in ensuring all pipes are fixed securely while also allowing for any pipe movement or expansion that may occur.
Pipe clamps come in many variations as the requirements for pipe fixing can range from simple anchoring in place, to more complex scenarios involving pipe movement or heavy loads. It is essential that the right pipe clamp is used to ensure the integrity of the installation. Pipe fixing failure can cause significant and costly damage to a building so it is important to get it right.
Standard pipe clamps
Standard clamps are typically fixed using two screws &#; one on either side of the clamp. They can be lined or unlined, depending on the application and there tends to be a wide range of sizes to choose from.
These clamps have evolved and Walraven now offers a single screw pipe clamp with a quick-locking system that is fixed in place simply by pushing the clamp together by hand.
Best for straight-forward installations of metal or plastic pipes.
Standard pipe clamps &#;
Traditional pipe clamps
Traditional clamps include split bands, U Bolts and Saddle Clamps, most commonly used to hold steel or copper pipes. They have no internal lining so are best suited to pipes where there are no additional variables to be considered such as temperature or noise insulation. Take a look at our blog which analyses traditional pipe clamps versus heavy duty pipe clamps, to see which is best.
Best for large diameter steel and copper pipes where a basic, traditional bracket is preferred and there are no special requirements for rubber lining.
Link to Solid
Saddle clamps &#;
Plastic pipe clamps
Plastic clamps are mainly used on plastic pipes or domestic copper pipes. They are perfect for light loads and smaller diameter pipes. They are also great for jobs where lots of clamps are required due to their quick installation time.
Plastic clamps, such as the Walraven starQuick®, are now being manufactured for ultra-fast installation. You can simply fix the pipe in place without any additional fixings.
Best for sanitary, heating and electrical installations as well as corrosive environments.
Plastic pipe clamps &#;
Heavy duty pipe clamps
Heavy duty clamps have a high safe working load, so are designed for use where a heavy load support is required. They can be used indoors and outdoors and are available both with and without lining. They have modern features to make them easier to fit than traditional clamps. Take a look at how our heavy duty pipe supports were used to secure district heating pipes to the underside of a bridge.
Best for safe fixing of heavy load pipework indoors or outdoors.
Heavy duty pipe clamps &#;
In most instances, pipe clamps work by fixing securely around the pipe and suspending it from a surface or rail system. They simply lock around the pipe to clamp it in place so that it is secure. Since there are many different types of pipe clamp, however, you will find that they can work slightly differently.
When looking for a simple and fast pipe clamp installation, a single screw clamp is the answer. The Walraven BISMAT Flash is a unique, state of the art product that requires no tools to fix the clamp in place. You simply use one finger to push the screw and lock it in place. The BISMAT Flash is particularly useful when fixing long runs of pipe as you can save up to 40% fixing time.
The images below show you just how easy the Flash is to use.
When it comes to selecting the best pipe fixings for a job, there is no &#;one size fits all&#; solution. In fact, selecting the best fixings depends on each unique installation environment and application requirements.
Temperature:
Temperature variations can cause pipes to expand and contract. If the correct fixings and clamps are not used to take into account the pipe movement due to temperature changes, the installation could fail and cause damage to the building.
Before you can select the right clamps to deal with thermal expansion, you first need to calculate the level of thermal expansion on the pipework.
Weight:
All pipe clamps have a maximum load bearing capacity, which means you need to select a clamp which is suitable for supporting the load required.
As an example, you may require special heavy duty pipe clamps with a high safe working load to ensure the pipes are secured properly. These can also help you achieve maximum bracket distances between clamps as they are able to take more force.
Materials:
Pipes made from different materials will react very differently in certain scenarios. For example, there are many different types of plastic pipe (PE, PVC, PA, PP etc). Each has a different temperature resistance, and different resistance levels to chemicals such as oils, greases, acids, chlorine etc. This can affect what type of clamp should be used. For example, plastic pipes should usually be secured with a lined metal clamp or plastic clamp. An unlined metal clamp can lead to corrosion if used on a plastic pipe.
Then there are different types of metal pipe &#; steel, iron, copper and so on. This can determine what kind of pipe clamp can be used, for example, stainless steel pipe clamps cannot be used to fix a copper pipe as the two metals will react. So a nylon coated or plastic clamp must be used.
Size:
The size of the pipe will influence the type of clamp you need, since all clamps will only be available in certain minimum and maximum diameters. For example, single screw clamps often have a more limited size range as they have to hinge open on one side, so are suited to smaller pipes.
Larger pipes will often need two screw clamps, traditional fixings or heavy duty clamps which are manufactured to suit larger sizes and heavier loads.
Environment:
The environment into which your pipe clamp will be installed can affect the type of clamp you should use. For example, if the installation is external and exposed to the weather, this is an important consideration and will more than likely require a pipe clamp with a special coating for corrosion resistance. Many of our standard pipe fixings are available with our special corrosion resistant coating Walraven BIS Ultraprotect for outdoor use.
If you are installing within a chemical environment or wet environment like a swimming pool, you may require a special kind of plastic clamp such as our Walraven starQuick.
Special requirements:
Some construction projects can have special requirements such as noise insulation or fast installation needs. In these cases, there are specialist clamps that can be used.
For example, if the requirement is to install the pipe clamps as quickly as possible, a one screw clamp that requires no tools would be better than a two screw clamp.
For noise insulation, pipe clamps with rubber lining will provide soundproofing. Many of Walraven lined clamps have certified levels of sound insulation. Find out more about soundproofing your installation.
To determine what size pipe clamp you need, the most obvious thing you need to take into account is the size of the pipe. This is usually measured in NB (Nominal Bore) or O/D (Outer Diameter). This will determine the diameter of the pipe clamp that you require. See our handy chart below for converting NB pipe sizes.
Secondly, you need to consider whether you are installing the clamp over insulation such as phenolic or wood block, as this will increase the diameter of the clamp you require.
At Walraven, we have a huge range of adjustable pipe clamps that fit 99% of known pipe sizes, including clamps suitable to install over insulation. The smallest clamp in our range is 12mm, the largest is mm. Even if your pipe is outside of these sizes we can manufacture custom pipe clamps. Get in touch with us to see how we can help your next pipe clamps project.
Conversion chart for NB pipe sizes
We have created a useful chart to help you convert standard pipe sizes from NB to O/D. This will help ensure you purchase the right size clamp for your pipe. The chart covers standard pipe sizes for steel and copper pipe.
You can get your copy by clicking the image below.
Some applications require pipe clamps to have a rubber lining. This is often a requirement due to the material or temperature of the pipe. Lined clamps also offer noise insulating properties. There are three main types of lined pipe clamps.
Black lined clamps:
The black, EPDM rubber lined clamps are suitable for steel pipes. This is because they have a series of ribs on the inside of the lining that grips the pipe so that they cannot move. They anchor the pipe securely. If required, pipe movement can be dealt with via fixing accessories such as ball swivels or expansion devices.
Green lined clamps:
Green, EPDM rubber lined clamps are specially made for plastic pipes. They are finished with a smooth surface, making it easy for plastic pipes to slide within them. This prevents any fixings being forced out of place.
Red lined clamps:
Red, silicone rubber lined clamps are used in extreme environments. The red lining on these clamps is made from silicone that is heat resistant up to 200°C, making it perfect for very hot pipes.
Top tip &#; storing pipe clamps
The storage environment for pipe clamps only rarely has an impact, especially if you are able to store them in dry, stable conditions. You should be careful, however, if you store clamps with EPDM linings in a location with temperature variations. Lined clamps have been known to become brittle at very low temperatures and can melt at very high temperatures. So it is best to avoid temperature extremes.
It&#;s always best practice to check the documentation on the recommended storage conditions for the clamps you&#;re using. Again, do talk to us if you have any concerns.
Extensive range of clamps
We have a vast range of pipe clamps and brackets for fixing pipework, that covers 99% of all known pipe sizes and pipe types. Even on the rare occasions when you have a pipe that our standard clamp range doesn&#;t cover, we can often manufacture bespoke clamps for your project.
We have technical calculation and design tools
As a global company, we have invested in state of the art technology which allows us to be as accurate as possible when making calculations and designing effective pipe fixing installations for our customers.
100% quality control
Unlike some other pipe clamp manufacturers, all of our pipe fixings are manufactured within our factories at Walraven. We don&#;t outsource anything, and so we control the manufacturing process from start to finish. This means we have 100% control over the quality of our products at all times.
We offer full project support
We recognise that sourcing and specifying pipe clamps can sometimes be complex. Our team of Technical Support Advisers provide a FREE project support service to our customers including consultation and problem-solving.
High levels of corrosion resistance
Corrosive environments are graded from C1 (low levels of corrosion in the environment) to C5 (highest levels of corrosion expected). Walraven manufacture pipe clamps and fixings that are suitable for use in C1-C4 environments.
Products to deal with pipe movement
Our pipe clamps and associated fixings such as slide guides, expansion devices and fixing points can be used to ensure that pipe movement can be dealt with effectively, removing the risk of installation failure due to thermal expansion.
Extreme testing
We go above and beyond when testing our pipe fixings. Not only do we test to RAL approved standards, in-house we test our clamps to destruction, so we know exactly how good they are!
We can provide the entire pipe fixing system from anchor to clamp!
We can provide much more than just clamps for pipes, we manufacture every component you need for the complete pipe support system. From anchors to rails/strut and all the additional accessories required are all available from us. We can even prefabricate entire systems, eliminating hours of installation time.
Walraven&#;s CE and UKCA marked phenolic pipe support inserts (Walraven Phenblox®) are used in conjunction with unlined clamps to provide thermal insulation around pipes. Our special bore coating eradicates any possibility of pipe corrosion on copper pipes and stepped joint faces ensure a vapour seal and accurate location.
We&#;ve designed our phenolic insulation to be compatible with almost all unlined pipe clamps whilst retaining the best available thermal insulation properties available. Phenolic insulation is much more cost effective than wood, calcium silicate or foam glass alternatives due to a higher insulation value. Read all about insulated pipe supports here.
Take a look at our Walraven Phenblox® brochure which includes a handy table to help you select the right phenolic and pipe clamp combination.
To find out more about what the CE Mark means and why it&#;s important to have this accreditation.
See our Phenolic selection tables &#;
For more Ductile Iron Saddle Clampinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.