Hot tapping, otherwise called wet tapping, is a method for tapping into a pressurized line without the need for shutting down or draining the system. It can be used for repairs and additions for waterworks and industrial applications for: water, sewer, fuel, steam, compressed air, natural gas and other fluids that flow through pipelines.

Hot/Wet Tapping requires a machine that interfaces with a tapping saddle, sleeve or fitting that is attached to the pipe through a valve via a packing gland that seals the line contents in while cutting a hole in the pipe. After the hot tap or wet tap is completed, then a new line can be added, drained.

Many types of piping can be hot tapped. Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Copper, Ductile Iron, Cast Iron, PVC, C900, Asbestos Cement and many others. Hot Tap companies, Mechanical Engineering firms, HVAC and Plumbing Contractors all use hot/wet tapping in residential, commercial, industrial, fire protection and utility applications.

Hot Tapping can start at 1/4” on your ice maker’s water line to well over 100 inches. Most hot taps are completed on 3/4” to 36” pipe and from 30psi to over 1,440psi on oil pipelines.

One of the most important aspects of hot tapping is the coupon retention. When hot tapping, you are cutting out a piece of the pipe that should never fall back into the pipe. It could cause a flow problem or worse, block a valve from shutting. That is why it is important to use hot tap pilot with retention wires to make sure the “cookie” (coupon) is pulled out when done tapping the pipe-line.

Hot Tap machines are relatively easy to use for 3/4″ to 4.00” taps. 6.00” and above normally used a flanged fitting, saddle or sleeve and valve. That usually requires some mid-range training. There are many brands of hot tap machines on the market. TapMaster, Reed, Wheeler Rex, Mueller, TDW to name a few. When you can’t shut down or drain the system, hot tapping is the best and least expensive way to go.