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Wells Tapping Service

Water mains · Orange, California

The line
stays in
service.

Hot taps from ¾″ through 16″, and Hydra-Stop Insta-Valve insertions from 4″ through 16″, on mains that are still under pressure. Steve Wells, Orange, CA 92867.

Call (714) 815-8734 Email Steve
White Chevrolet service truck with a crane, lettered WTS Wells Tapping Service, parked at the curb.
The current Wells Tapping Service truck. Orange, California.

01 — What we do

Two jobs. Both of them on a live main.

¾″ – 16″

Hot tap

A new branch on a main that stays in service.

Pipe
Cast iron, ductile iron, asbestos-cement, PVC C-900, and steel.
  • Most of these pipe types can be tapped, including the five above.
  • The tap is made without shutting the line down.
  • Used for new outlets on a live water main.

4″ – 16″

Insta-Valve

A Hydra-Stop insertion valve, installed under pressure.

Pipe
Asbestos-cement, cast iron, ductile iron, and PVC. Not steel.
  • 4″ through 12″ is the Insta-Valve 250. Hydra-Stop rates it 250 psi, and says a typical install can be as little as an hour.
  • 14″ and 16″ is the Insta-Valve Plus 250, also rated 250 psi, on the same pipe types.
  • One circular tap. The pipe is not reamed and not cut in two.
  • The valve stays on the main as a permanent shutoff.

Insta-Valve specifications at Hydra-Stop

Insta-Valve is manufactured by Hydra-Stop. Sleeve choice depends on the pipe’s outside diameter — have that, or the pipe class, when you call. Mains larger than 16″, call before you count on a size.

02 — On the main

Cut the pipe. Don’t drain it.

  1. 01

    Fit and test

    On a hot tap, a sleeve and valve go on the main. On an insertion, the Insta-Valve body is clamped to the pipe. Either way it is pressure-tested before the pipe is cut.

  2. 02

    Cut the coupon

    The tapping machine drills through the open valve, cuts a coupon from the pipe wall, and pulls that coupon back out. The main stays under pressure.

  3. 03

    Close or insert

    On a hot tap, the branch valve is closed, the machine comes off, and the new outlet is connected. On an Insta-Valve, the cartridge goes in through that same hole and stays as the shutoff.

  4. 04

    Service stays on

    The reason to hot tap or insert a valve is a new outlet or a new control point without taking the main out of service and without draining it.

An Insta-Valve, in the trench

Hydra-Stop insertion valve work. The main stayed in service.

Tapping machine mounted on an insertion valve in a shored street excavation, with a backhoe at the curb.
The machine on the valve. One excavation.
Close view of a tapping machine, hoses, and valve body clamped to a water main.
Cutting the coupon under pressure.
Insertion valve body clamped to a water main in a muddy trench, blue cover bolted on top.
Valve body on the main.
Insertion valve clamped to a water main, red cover and operating nut bolted on.
Cover on. The line was not shut down.

03 — The crew

Steve Wells. Orange.

Wells Tapping Service is Steve Wells, working out of Orange, CA 92867. Utilities and contractors call when a water main needs a new outlet or a new valve, and shutting the line down is the expensive way to do it.

The sizes on this page are the work: hot taps ¾″ through 16″, and Hydra-Stop Insta-Valve insertions from 4″ through 16″. License A-759963.

Wells Tapping Service logo

Have this ready

  • Pipe size and type, if you know them
  • Approximate line pressure
  • Whether you need a new tap or a valve
  • City, or the nearest cross street

04 — Contact

Call Steve.

(714) 815-8734
Steve Wells
Wells Tapping Service
Orange, CA 92867
[email protected]
Do you shut the main down?
No. Hot taps and Hydra-Stop Insta-Valve insertions are done while the line stays in service. That is the job.
What is an Insta-Valve?
A Hydra-Stop insertion valve. 4 through 12 inch is the Insta-Valve 250, rated 250 psi, and Hydra-Stop says it can be installed in as little as an hour. 14 and 16 inch is the Insta-Valve Plus 250, also 250 psi. One tap, the pipe is not reamed, and the valve stays. Pipe is asbestos-cement, cast iron, ductile iron, or PVC — not steel.
Which pipe can you tap?
Hot taps from ¾ inch through 16 inch on cast iron, ductile iron, asbestos-cement, PVC C-900, and steel. Insta-Valve insertions are 4 inch through 16 inch on asbestos-cement, cast iron, ductile iron, and PVC. If the outside diameter or class is unusual, say so when you call — the sleeve has to match the pipe.
Where are you based?
Orange, California 92867. Call Steve and say where the main is.

Send the job details

Prefer the phone. If email is easier, use the form — it does not keep a copy here.

This opens your email app addressed to Steve. Nothing is stored on the site.

Call (714) 815-8734