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Wells Tapping Service

Water mains · Orange, California

The line
stays in
service.

Hot taps from ¾″ through 16″, and Romac InsertaValve and QuikValve insertions, on mains that are still under pressure. Steve Wells, Orange, CA 92867.

Call (714) 815-8734 Email Steve
White Wells Tapping Service utility truck with a service body, parked on a driveway.
The Wells Tapping Service truck. Orange, California.

01 — What we do

Three jobs. All 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.

10″ & 12″

InsertaValve

A Romac valve inserted under pressure.

Pipe
Cast iron, ductile iron, asbestos-cement, PVC C-900, and steel.
  • No loss of pressure while the valve goes in.
  • Very little water is lost compared with draining a main.
  • Usual completion time is under two hours.
  • Much faster than a traditional line stop and cut-in.
  • Romac rates the valve for water lines up to 150 psi.

InsertaValve specifications at Romac

4″, 6″ & 8″

QuikValve

A Romac resilient-gate valve, inserted open.

Pipe
Cast iron, ductile iron, asbestos-cement, and some classes of PVC.
  • Installed in the open position, so the main is not shut down.
  • Modern resilient-gate shutoff, with a full flow waterway afterward.
  • For water lines with up to 150 psi ambient pressure.
  • The installed valve takes the same number of turns as a comparable valve in the system.
  • Romac describes a typical installation as two to three hours — faster than a line stop or cut-in.

QuikValve specifications at Romac

A/C means asbestos-cement. InsertaValve and QuikValve are manufactured by Romac Industries. Sleeve choice depends on the pipe’s outside diameter — have that, or the pipe class, when you call.

02 — On the main

Cut the pipe. Don’t drain it.

  1. 01

    Fit and test

    A sleeve goes around the main. The valve — permanent on a hot tap, temporary gate on an insertion — is bolted on, and the assembly 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 new valve is closed, the machine comes off, and the branch is connected. On an insertion, the valve goes in open, so flow is not stopped, and it is left as a working valve.

  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.

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″, Romac InsertaValve at 10″ and 12″, and Romac QuikValve at 4″, 6″, and 8″.

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, InsertaValve, and QuikValve are all done while the line stays in service. That is the job.
What is the difference between InsertaValve and QuikValve?
Both are Romac valves installed on a live main. QuikValve covers 4, 6, and 8 inch and is a resilient gate rated to 150 psi, with the same number of turns as a comparable valve in the system. InsertaValve covers 10 and 12 inch, also up to 150 psi, and is usually finished in under two hours.
Which pipe can you tap?
Hot taps from ¾ inch through 16 inch on cast iron, ductile iron, asbestos-cement (A/C), PVC C-900, and steel. Valve insertions follow the pipe list on each product above. 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