Hot Tapping
Add a new connection to a live pipe without switching anything off. Safe, tested hot tapping across the UK.
High Quality Hot Tapping
Services
Hot tapping is a way of connecting a new pipe, valve or branch to an existing pipe while it is still full, still under pressure and still working. Nothing gets drained and nothing gets shut down. Your water, heating, gas or process line keeps running the whole time.
RDS Pipeline is a family run business based in Essex with over 20 years of experience. We carry out hot tapping for hospitals, factories, shopping centres, energy companies and water networks across the UK and further afield. If shutting your system down would cost you money, time or customers, hot tapping is usually the answer.
What Is Hot Tapping?
Hot tapping, also called pressure tapping or under pressure drilling, is the method of cutting a hole into a live pipe through a sealed valve, so a new connection can be made without stopping the flow. The pipe stays in service from start to finish.
Think of it like fitting a new tap to a water barrel without emptying it first. A sealed fitting goes on, a valve goes on top, and the cutting happens behind that valve, so nothing can escape. If you want the full technical walk through, our guide on how hot tapping a pipe works explains each stage in detail.
How Hot Tapping Works, Step by Step
- Survey the pipe. We check the pipe material, size, wall thickness, pressure and what is flowing inside it. The minimum wall thickness decides whether a tap can go ahead safely.
- Fit the saddle. A tapping saddle or split tee is welded or clamped onto the outside of the live pipe.
- Fit the valve. A hot tap valve is bolted onto the saddle. This is the gate that keeps everything sealed.
- Pressure test the fittings. The saddle and valve are tested before any cutting starts.
- Cut the hole. The tapping machine is fitted to the valve. A pilot drill and cutter go through the open valve and cut a clean hole in the pipe wall.
- Remove the coupon. The cutter pulls back, holding the cut out disc of pipe (the coupon) so nothing falls into the line.
- Close the valve and connect. The valve is shut, the machine comes off, and your new pipework is connected.
Want to know what each tool does? Take a look inside the hot tapping machine.
Pipe Materials We Can Hot Tap
Our range of equipment means we can hot tap most pipes found in UK buildings and networks, including:
- Stainless steel and carbon steel
- Ductile iron and cast iron
- Copper
- MDPE and other plastics
- Asbestos cement and concrete cylinder pipes
- GRP and GRE pipes
Where a new fitting needs welding onto the pipe, our onsite welding team handles it as part of the same job.
Quick Quote
Hot Tapping
Line Stopping
Pipe Freezing
Mechanical Pipework
Hot Tapping vs a Isolation for
Full Shutdown
| Full shutdown and drain down | Hot tapping with RDS Pipeline | |
|---|---|---|
| System running? | No, switched off for the whole job | Yes, keeps running the whole time |
| Draining | Pipe must be drained and refilled | No draining needed |
| Downtime cost | Lost production, closed areas, unhappy customers | Little or no disruption |
| Water and product loss | Often large amounts wasted | No product lost |
| Scheduling | Often forced into nights or holidays | Planned around your site, not your shutdown |
| Risk on restart | Air locks, leaks and faults when refilling | No restart needed |
Your Hot Tapping
Specialist
Hot Tapping involves a number of specialised procedures, used in conjunction to create a safe way to manipulate pipelines without any disruption to the systems.
Ultimately, this technique is a way of providing a connection method for the pipe in question. Drilling and cutting a predetermined pipe can save a lot of hassle and protect the infrastructure, especially in areas where there may be frequent usage and possible corrosion.
Not only do we at RDS Pipeline Isolation understand the practicalities of this technique, but we can also provide understanding and advice on any questions you may have.
We have a high code of conduct, and we aim to provide you with the best advice and practical administration of Hot Tapping that is possible under the circumstances. You can trust RDS Pipelines to never steer you wrong.
Why Choose RDS Pipeline Isolation for
Hot Tapping?
Hot tapping is a method of adding a new branch/connection from a “live” pipeline, which can be performed safely on many different contents and materials without interruption to product flow or loss of pipeline product. At RDS Pipeline Services, we are one of the best hot tapping companies to date.
Our diverse range of equipment enables new branch connections to be performed on most Metallic pipes, i.e. Stainless steel, Carbon steel, Ductile Iron, Cast Iron and also on Asbestos Cement, Concrete cylinder, GRP and GRE pipes, plastics, MDPE, and copper. Hot Tapping is used for making a connection to an existing pipe or vessel without hindering that pipe or vessel.
As one of the UK’s leading Hot Tapping experts, our team of specialists have a considerable amount of experience in a variety of environments. Whether that’s commercial or industrial, our hot tapping experts offer a reliable and professional service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hot tapping is used to add a new branch, valve, bypass or sensor to a pipe while it is still running. It is common in hospitals, factories, data centres, water mains and heating systems where a shutdown would be costly or unsafe.
Yes, when it is planned and carried out by trained engineers. The pipe is surveyed first, the fittings are pressure tested before cutting starts, and the cutting happens behind a sealed valve so nothing escapes.
The price depends on the pipe size, material, pressure, what is inside the pipe and how easy the pipe is to reach. We give you a clear quote once we understand the job. In most cases hot tapping costs far less than the lost time of a full shutdown.
Hot tapping is done while the pipe is live and under pressure. Cold tapping is done after the pipe has been shut down and drained. Hot tapping avoids downtime; cold tapping may suit jobs where a shutdown is already planned.
We hot tap a wide range of systems, including water, heating, chilled water and process lines. Tell us what is in the pipe when you call and we will confirm the right approach for your job.