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I’ve seen two part epoxy being sold for use on copper plumbing joints instead of solder. Does this stuff work? What’s the plumbing code say about it? It looks like it might be useful for small projects where you’re only fixing one piece of pipe or in areas where it would be difficult to use a torch. Anybody use this stuff?
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I've used it occasionally... connecting copper pipes together for railing and fence work. I've also used it for my garden hose bibs. I never met a plumber who would consider it, but the stuff I've done is rock solid after 10 years and the hose bibs, which take a lot of punishment, never leaked. I'm sure it works well, but I doubt I'd use it inside my house.
*Dunno about other products, but I've had extensive experience with J B Weld. I've patched standard water pipes with it, both in the house and on vehicles. (I even used it to replace a chunk some kid had broken out of his engine block on a Subaru once.) Never ever had a problem with leaks afterward. (The environment in a vehicle's engine compartment is a lot more harsh than in your basement/crawlspace, too.)I wouldn't hesitate to use it to fix a leak in any metal pipe. Just remember to sand and clean the surface before you apply the epoxy. Also, give the repair at least overnight, but better 24 hours in a high pressure sitch, to cure. It will stand up to hot or cold, to very high pressure, and even to chemicals.I've found the best way to repair a leak in something like copper or steel pipe is to form a metal patch that will fit over the leak area with overlap. Then sand the inside of the patch, and the area of the pipe to be patched. Clean both surfaces well with something that does not leave a residue. (Brake cleaner works very well here.) When dry, apply the epoxy, followed by the patch. Wrap wires around the patch, (and pipe, of course), to cinch it up to the pipe. Let cure. It is a tad more difficult/touchy at a joint, but only because the patch needs a touch more refining. (Or not. At a joint once, I sanded, cleaned, applied the J B Weld, and then put an ordinary hose clamp over it, and didn't tighten it quite all the way. It worked just fine.)You'll wonder why you ever considered cutting out a section of pipe, or even removing a whole run just to fix that one small leak. :-)