1954 Copper Pipe in Concrete


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Old 11-15-16, 04:00 PM
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1954 Copper Pipe in Concrete

I have an old beach house where the copper pipes come out of the concrete floor. They need new shutoff valves. The pipes are crusty green (see photo). I don't know if I will be able to clean them up enough to solder new valves. Thoughts on how to install new valves or should I abandon these pipes and run new from the supply? Thanks Dave
 
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Old 11-15-16, 04:07 PM
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Copper pipes in concrete, especially near the beach, scare me. Toss in that your pipes are over 60 years old and I'd consider re-piping the house or at least abandoning the pipes that are in concrete.
 
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Old 11-16-16, 03:32 AM
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I agree with Dane. I see no sleeves for the passage of the pipe through the concrete, which may have been normal in 1954, but after all this time, the copper and concrete have reacted with each other and you may be sitting on a time bomb. Top off that with salt spray and you will get early corrosion of the copper.
 
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Old 11-16-16, 09:01 AM
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Okay, I'm good with bypassing the pipes in the concrete. The supply from the street is just on the other side of the block wall. What's the best way to get from the supply to inside without breaking up the concrete? Will need freeze protection.
 
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Old 11-16-16, 09:08 AM
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You can drill a hole through the concrete.
 
 

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