Aladdin EasyFit Isolator Valve and Tools Pack - Starter Kit

I fitted one of these to a 15mm copper central heating pipe running vertically: it was straightforward. I wanted to isolate the system 'downstream' without a full drain down. I had good access to the pipe. Having read the reviews and product description and viewed a video of an installation I concluded that care was needed. I cleaned the pipe of old paint thoroughly for a blemish free surface. I followed the instructions - which were clear and thorough - to the letter. My cordless drill was not powerful enough but a ratchet and socket were fine if slower. I decided not to use an older non-cordless drill that has no torque control because I wasn't sure I could control the vigour of the cutting. No leaks. The valve works perfectly. A clever, well designed and well engineered product.

Absolutely easy to install, unless like me I had to install it in an awkward place. follow the instructions and it works perfectly, but be aware that the force required to cut the pipe is substantial and has to go through both sides of the pipe so in effect it happens trice.

Just a quick note to say, this product is WELL MADE, great piece of engineering. That aside, make damn sure you need the 15mm, mine originally didnt fit and I assumed i had the wrong size, but that was some build up on the pipe, and this piece is precision, so didn't allow for that. Next point, it isn't too hard to install, but note this - if you have the hard copper version, the drill may cut out - i was using for a mid leak situation, so cordless was a must - and a decent Ryobi 18v drill struggled a lot, maybe if you have a dewalt or makita, you'll be fine - if it is a tougher pipe - using a spanner or monkey wrench is an option, but it takes MANY turns, and the amateur may smash his or her hands into the wall a few times! Once the unit is attached, the spindle will appear to long, use the plastic white piece to push it in, this is missing from the instructions, but v important. In a push, this unit will save money on an emergency call out for sure, but depending on your pipe strength and position, it may not be as easy as the youtube vids, but it is doable by a novice.

Fitted this on a short length of exposed mains water pipe where there was no chance of fitting a 'normal' valve. Important to read and understand the instructions before fitting, but do that and it's very straightforward. I had to use a small ratchet and socket because there was no room to wield an electric drill, which was physically quite hard but with a longer ratchet handle, would have been easier. When fitted, does it's job perfectly and absolutely no leaks or weeping. It's not cheap but it's a nice bit of engineering and certainly way cheaper than calling a plumber in.

First time I have been motivated to write a review on Amazon. This product seemed to be a great idea and a true problem solver. I read the instructions, watched and absorbed two videos which demonstrate installation. I then tried to fit this isolator to a live cold feed - total disaster. Impossible to tell if the clamp is fitted tightly enough, then the cutter refused to cut through the 15mm copper pipe and eventually seized up, not before causing a dramatic leak and a rush to the stopcock. Oh and the torque needed to get the cutter turning nearly broke the copper pipe and wrenched it off the wall. No chance I will ever buy or try this again. Disaster.

I have fitted a couple of these before, and was very happy overall. They were easy to fit, no leaks, water isolated without draining the system. All as advertised. Unfortunately, my recent experience wasn't as successful! During installation, water started to seep from the housing of the device. In the end, I had to shut off the mains water supply, cut out that section of pipe and fit a standard isolation valve. Maybe I was just unlucky, having had 2 that worked perfectly before, but this isn't the sort of thing that you can afford to have fail! Lessons learned... I won't be risking one of these again.

Just what I ordered and fixed the problem

Looked a great product and watching the video, very easy to fit and drill. The drilling of the 15mm pipe drew smoke from my dewalt drill so had to stop and start, in the end had to use a spanner instead. Not a true description of the fitting.

5 star, works as described.