Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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Magnetic Plumbing

Make CPVC fun again!
  (+3, -1)
(+3, -1)
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Replace the standard glue/solder/screw-together couplings and fittings used in today's plumbing with electromagnetic sleeves, which fit over the end of the pipe and contain a small gasket. Whenever two opposite-flavored connectors come near each other, they'll snap into alignment and squish the gasket, closing the joint. To remove, press the interrupt swith on the top of each coupling, and they fall apart, with no sawing, desoldering, etc.

Power provided by a tiny waterwheel in the opening of the pipe? I think so.

Additonally, by using these in the layout of a metropolitan utility system, the health of entire populace will benefit from the strange and mystical benefits of magnets, meaning you can mark the water up to $7.50 a gallon, and be able to afford electromagnetic couplings for all the rest of your pipe. It's a self-sustaining windfall!

emswookiee, Feb 25 2005

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       Apart from some serious practicality issues, this is a fantastic idea. [+]
wagster, Feb 25 2005
  

       No more limescale, ever.

(Perhaps because the water never makes it to your house).
Ling, Feb 25 2005
  

       To my knowledge glue/solder/screw together couplings and fittings are not used anymore in europe at least. It's all plug'n flush these days I'm afraid. But bun for your thought, love the magnets.   

       -the fishbowl moves-
zeno, Feb 25 2005
  

       ...and stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plumb.
mensmaximus, Feb 25 2005
  

       [zeno] - Copper piper connected with compression or solder joints are the most common method of plumbing in the UK. Don't know about the rest of Europe.
wagster, Feb 25 2005
  

       It's all silver solder though...that should be noted. Tastes better than lead, in addition to those mental health benefits the liberals keep whining about.
shapu, Feb 25 2005
  

       Is that in new buildings or existing building wags?
etherman, Feb 25 2005
  

       //Copper piper connected with compression or solder joints are the most common method of plumbing in the UK.//
I use exclusively plastic piping and push-fit joints. It costs a bit more, but it's quicker, easier, and re-useable, as well as providing better insulation.
angel, Feb 25 2005
  

       I think it's a lead-based solder. At least, the rolls of plumber's solder seem to be - don't know what the pre- soldered capillary fittings are loaded with. <aside> does anyone if and how these electromagnetic water softeners actually work? Sounds like hooey to me, but they do sell.<aside>
Basepair, Feb 26 2005
  

       Wagster, as I understand it for copper and aluminium and steel and such, they use the same thing which I will attempt to describe. A joint ( piece of tubing) with a bolt thingy at each end. Plug in your tubing and turn bolt. It is watertight. For gas you may add a piece of special tape.   

       -the fis- oh I allready did my obsession thingy here-
zeno, Feb 26 2005
  

       Lead based solder is illigal for use in potable water systems. Unleaded solder is a 96% tin/4% silver alloy. In the US, we use soldered copper pipe.   

       A waterwheel wouldn't work. It would inhibit the flow too much, forcing you to pressurize the pipe, needing thicker pipe to withstand the pressure. What if the water stops moving?   

       As for magnetic health benefits, this only applies to magnets placed on the body. It is thought it affects the iron in the blood. Water has nothing to store the energy from a magnet.
Aq_Bi, Feb 26 2005
  
      
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