What is good practice when permanently removing redundant cold service pipework?

• A. Cut back to supply to remove dead leg
• B. Cap off and leave
• C. Remove and discard entirely
• D. Fill with insulation

Answer: (A)

When removing redundant cold service pipework, the aim is to eliminate any dead leg that could trap water. Cutting the pipe back to the supply line removes the dead end entirely, preventing stagnation, sediment buildup, and potential contamination or leakage in an isolated branch. After trimming, the end should be securely sealed to stop debris ingress and maintain the integrity of the rest of the system. Simply capping and leaving the dead leg creates a stagnant pocket of water and isn’t ideal, while removing the pipe entirely can be more invasive and insulation alone doesn’t address the issue of an open or capped end.