I’ve got a couple water pipes running through my garage that I need to move. Right now they go sgtraight out to the center of the garage, then turn 90 degrees to go into the joists of a 2nd story bath. About 13′ out into the garage, then another 13′ back to the other wall.
I’m going to be moving the pipes to follow the wall. I was wondering, since most of the pipe is straight length, can I re-use it? I know the copper M type pipe was laid in 1982. I would sweat on new corners and joints, of course.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Replies
Yes. No problem.
You need to sand it a bit more than new pipe because more oxide has built up on the copper but that is a minor thing. You need to get new or old pipe shiny at the ends.
DON'T reuse fittings. I mean fittings you have unsoldered. Unless you really have to and the plumbing supply is closed. But it is hard to get enough of the solder out of them and any little dribbles can prevent you from brushing an adjacent region adequately.
Although, if you plan ahead, sometimes you can reuse a ell WITH the attached pipes.
Thanks. I was planning on just using the long straight pieces. Seemed a real waste to toss them.Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Type M is very thin, I'd give it 35 years life. If these were laid in 1982, I'd say toss them.
I have to disagree with the 35 year life unless it is in a well water application. I have taken copper out that was 50 years old that showed no visible wear and in almost 30 years of working with commercial and residential applications the only times I have seen copper thin or brittle was when used with well water that had a chemical problem. Once with sulfer water and lately I am not sure what caused it. Never in a treated water enviroment. DanT
You are right - some types of water are more corrosive than others. Had a house with a well. ~ 40 YO. Every year or so, it would spring another pinhole leak in the copper. That was 15 years ago. I'll bet the whole water supply system had to be replaced by now.
Paul -
I'll even go so far as to say reuse the fittings - as long as they are in good shape - not bent or heavily corroded. The crap that they are casting today is noting special; older ones could likely be heavier. Another advantage is that they are already tinned if they were correctly soldered, that is the old solder has properly coated the entire inside of the fitting. That makes it easier to solder on the new fitting. The only difference in soldering an old fitting on is that you need to look inside to make sure it was done right (a complete circle of silver) then heat the fitting first to melt the old solder that's inside, then the new pipe/fitting should go right together and you continue to solder as normal.
One caveat, I don't know what type torch you use. I work with a commercial torch. It has a stronger flame so it's easier to deal with tough fittings. With a little Bernzamatic it might be a problem.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
If you are using fittings that are over 15 years old you are probably going to deal with 50/50 solder. It is now illegal on domestic plumbing and it won't mix with lead free solder and its flux.
I can't imagine with the cost of new fittngs there would be any value to reusing old fittings. And again I can't remember the last time I saw a domestic pressure copper fitting "wear out" so what would be the point? Copper fittings aren't cast by the way, wrought brass are. DanT
Dan,
You are right about the old solder being illegal. I didn't think about that because it's not inspected and on an existing job, it's not that big of a deal. As far as the new and old solder not working together, I disagree. As a matter of fact I've done kitchen and bathroom in this house, as recently as last week and a bunch of 1.25 and 1.5 inch heat lines that were first soldered in the 50's. I moved fittings and reused with new solder, new flux and there was no problem whatsoever with the mix. Actually, I was told the old 50-50 was easier to work. It's a moot point if you consider the lead issue for water. (Just for the record, I don't go out of my way to reuse old fittings, but if they are where I need 'em, and they look good I'm not going out of my way to pull them off and throw them away so that I can put a different one on.)
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
When you cut the pipes to remove them and then look inside, you will know if it's okay to reuse them. Likely it will be.
As one poster said, if you plan ahead you can probably even save an el or two...but sometimes getting them installed between or through joists can be a bugger. At the cost of new fittings, and the small size of the job, it's probably not worth it.
Use a tubing cutter to cut the pipe, and a piece of grit-coated grill cloth to shine 'em up before sweating. Lotsa flux, lotsa heat, and you should be okay....
Dinosaur
Hold your ground!
I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me....
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
I have to agree with Dan T. he brings up a good point about the older solder blends used before the Lead was banned. Supposedly the lead is leached out of the joint over time. Although if you re-heat it , the molten lead will be part of the joint again.
Don't chance it over a $.15 elbow. I agree with using the straight pipe though.
I would use new because the cost is low for materials compared with the labor involved. Old copper can be a pig to solder, old, as stated, might have lead in it/on it.
If everyone is talking about removing fittings and reusing that's insane. You will kill your self time wise and leaks missing with the old fittings. Use the straight pipe and if you can make it work with a existing ell or so and get on with it!@
removing fittings and reusing that's insane
Agree, although I was insane between about 1952 and 1990!
Ault deutch: Too soon old, too late smart!
Type M is thin wall, here in LA it's only allowed for Smitty pan drains and T&P drains -- things where it's never under full supply pressure. Type L is for most stuff, K is required under ground here.
That being said, if the rest of the house is type M and you don't find corrosion when you cut it out, re-using it will be no worse than what you have everywhere else. If you do find significant corrosion, figure on eventually doing a complete re-pipe.
As for re-using fittings, fine if you do it by planning and cutting so that pieces containing them get moved. Maybe worth doing if the fitting is in such a position that that's actually the easy way to re-route something. The big difficulty is getting them reamed and cleaned out enough to accept new pipe, but without making them too loose. For loose fittings in hand, fuggedaboutit unless all the stores are closed and you really need one to get the water back on. In fact, before you even start, go buy a bunch of ells and couplings so you don't get stuck like that. Why spend half an hour to save a two-bit part?
-- J.S.
just redid my house built in 77 reused pipe no fittings pipe looked great. first i went to lumber yard and bought 20 of each fitting figured i want a plumbing box ready allthe time. still had to run around but saved many trips. now i have a box ready for repairs. that was my best move. also on bigger pipe wished i had a bigger torch/ had to use 2 torches to get hot enough to sweat everyone told me to use plastic but im old school but hey what is this now 3d gen plastic?
NOT reaming the ends of the pipe, & too small for the application will wear it out before well or other corrosive type drinking water.
Not reaming = turbulence = erosion------ ever see water cut 3/4" plate aluminum
Too small = too fast = erosion------ ever see water cut 3/4" plate aluminum