ok diy gods -- i need some help --
long story short -- i hae a leak in the ceiling -- found it by cutting some holes. galvanied pipe to copper, massive corrosing -- leak. Piping here is very old, no shutoff valve for that line, so therefore i have no water in the entire house and no heat -- cold night..
Whats the best fix here -- replace the galvanied pipe entirely and resolder a new copper connection? I am not experienced with plumbing but i think this is simple enough for me to take on. I have a butane torch, and a rotozip saw to cut pipe.
here are some pix
close up1
close up 2 -- how does the copper hooked up to the gal pipe? i know it is gal to reducer to copper - but does the copper solder or is it screw in as well?
tia guys
-chris
long story short -- i hae a leak in the ceiling -- found it by cutting some holes. galvanied pipe to copper, massive corrosing -- leak. Piping here is very old, no shutoff valve for that line, so therefore i have no water in the entire house and no heat -- cold night..
Whats the best fix here -- replace the galvanied pipe entirely and resolder a new copper connection? I am not experienced with plumbing but i think this is simple enough for me to take on. I have a butane torch, and a rotozip saw to cut pipe.
here are some pix
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
close up1
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
close up 2 -- how does the copper hooked up to the gal pipe? i know it is gal to reducer to copper - but does the copper solder or is it screw in as well?
tia guys
-chris
Banned
Joined 2002
If you don't have the right tools to fix this I suggest you try with plastic pipes and connectors. Cut out the bad pieces and replace with above mentioned. 
Something like this: http://www.islandwaterworld.com/pdf/137.pdf
/Hugo
Something like this: http://www.islandwaterworld.com/pdf/137.pdf
/Hugo
Plumbing in an audio group???
Okay, a couple of things here. First, where does the galvanized go? Is it the main feed to the house or is it an end point that connects to something in the house?
If its an end-point, then I'd say replace the entire galvanized run with copper (or plastic, your choice) If its the main feed to the house, then I'd say call a plumber and have them do the work. (hate to say it, but that's the way I'd approach it)
As to the galvanized to copper connection, if its done right, there are connectors for this that work to reduce the problem you're seeing. It will solder onto the copper and be a screw on, onto the galvanized pipe. Translation, if you're looking to just replace the joint, you'll need some way to cut new threads on the galvanized pipe. (not cheap)
Personally, I'd look at replacing the entire run of galvanized with copper, you'll more than likely find that the galvanized is almost completely blocked with gunk inside.
Okay, a couple of things here. First, where does the galvanized go? Is it the main feed to the house or is it an end point that connects to something in the house?
If its an end-point, then I'd say replace the entire galvanized run with copper (or plastic, your choice) If its the main feed to the house, then I'd say call a plumber and have them do the work. (hate to say it, but that's the way I'd approach it)
As to the galvanized to copper connection, if its done right, there are connectors for this that work to reduce the problem you're seeing. It will solder onto the copper and be a screw on, onto the galvanized pipe. Translation, if you're looking to just replace the joint, you'll need some way to cut new threads on the galvanized pipe. (not cheap)
Personally, I'd look at replacing the entire run of galvanized with copper, you'll more than likely find that the galvanized is almost completely blocked with gunk inside.
cheap route:
1. cut back the galv. pipe a foot back and buy a brass sweat coupling....you will need silver solder or sylfoss to braze on the the Galv. pipe
make sure place a valve on to isolate the rest of the system because you will have to drain it
2. expensive route: tear the Galv. pipe right out and replace with copper
The Galv. pipe will have so much crud in it that you will probably want to go this route.
DIRT®
1. cut back the galv. pipe a foot back and buy a brass sweat coupling....you will need silver solder or sylfoss to braze on the the Galv. pipe
make sure place a valve on to isolate the rest of the system because you will have to drain it
2. expensive route: tear the Galv. pipe right out and replace with copper
The Galv. pipe will have so much crud in it that you will probably want to go this route.
DIRT®
I believe you are having the problem because of galvanic corrosion..
Call in a plumber..you have code issues as well as long term corrosion issues to contend with..
Sometimes, the right person for the job is another person..I would not undertake that project myself, even though I do a lot of diy plumbing..
Cheers, good luck...John
Call in a plumber..you have code issues as well as long term corrosion issues to contend with..
Sometimes, the right person for the job is another person..I would not undertake that project myself, even though I do a lot of diy plumbing..
Cheers, good luck...John
yup he said 780 for that ONE 9' section of pipe. He said it is so much because it is in a tight place and its very old pipes so he is anticipating to 'chase' leaks -- well of course, in most plumbing you will have leaks but 780 is ridiculous.. btw here is an after shot
-chris
An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.
-chris
Nice job! Have you pressure tested it for leaks now? Also, I wouldn't close up the space for a couple of days, just to make sure there's no leaks. (It really sucks to close up a space, and then 2 months later see a wet spot forming where you did the repair) Better safe than sorry.
As to the plumber charging $780, he was probably hoping your parents would say what they did, which was, no thanks. He more than likely assessed the situation and determined it would be more hassle than it was worth, so he threw out a number that would make it worth his while, if they did actually decide to do it.
As to the plumber charging $780, he was probably hoping your parents would say what they did, which was, no thanks. He more than likely assessed the situation and determined it would be more hassle than it was worth, so he threw out a number that would make it worth his while, if they did actually decide to do it.
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