Cold weather caused a Northwestern pulp and paper mill's 3" water line valve -- located at the end of a Schedule 40 line -- to rupture (see Photo A), allowing large volumes of critical plant water or flow freely.

Team, called to the job site to examine the leak, recommended an immediate pipe crimp. The customer agreed.

Team technicians set the crimping blocks on the pipe and began the crimp (see Photo B). The crimp took approximately one-half hour and shut off virtually 100% of the flow. The broken valve was pulled and a flange and small nipple ball valve (to vent the line during freezes -- see Photo C) were installed.

The customer thanked Team for a job well done.

For more information visit the Piping and Fitting Leaks Section under Onstream Leak Repairs