Oh 'ell, we do have a Plumb Centre near here but it'll be closed, and I'm working tomorrow morning!
New question: will a ball joint block off the pipe adequately while I use the washing machine which is fed from lower down the pipe? Or am I looking at a stop end until I can get the special joint?
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Sun 2 Jun 2013, 10:02, 2 replies)

Is the pipe you want to cap off 16mm. If it is, then the only way to cap it without a 16mm fitting would be to flatten the pipe then fold the flattened pipe over on itself. Scary bit now. Apply solder to the flattened pipe to seal it off until you can obtain a fitting.
(boarders You won't catch me with my trousers, Sun 2 Jun 2013, 10:20, closed)

Oooh, that's really living on the edge!

(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Sun 2 Jun 2013, 16:59, closed)

Do you mean a ball valve?
If so, it should be fine.
You generally find ball joints on a cars steering.
( social hand grenade I was a lurker before you were a lurker, Sun 2 Jun 2013, 19:50, closed)

I knew that
er...
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Tue 4 Jun 2013, 19:43, closed)