How to repair copper pipe with holes?
#1
02-19-19, 06:33 PM
How to repair copper pipe with holes?
I accidentally drilled into my hot water copper pipe. What's the best way to fix this? I needed to get this done soon because I've shut off hot water now.
#2
02-19-19, 06:38 PM
Group Moderator
You will need to cut the pipe with a tubing cutter... then solder on a repair coupler over the hole. A repair coupler does not have stops inside of it... it is like a sleeve that you slide onto one side, then slide back over the other side halfway.
You obviously need to know the basics of copper soldering to do this but it's quite easy if you have a torch with Mapp gas, Flux and lead free solder... and the copper tubing cutter. A male/female wire brush is also helpful... they make them just for copper. You will see them if you are at the store.
You obviously need to know the basics of copper soldering to do this but it's quite easy if you have a torch with Mapp gas, Flux and lead free solder... and the copper tubing cutter. A male/female wire brush is also helpful... they make them just for copper. You will see them if you are at the store.
#3
02-20-19, 10:10 AM
If you have some play in the pipe, you can also cut out the small section with the hole and use a SharkBite repair coupling. It slides on one side, then slides back to connect the two pipes together. No soldering!
Some people hesitate using them in enclosed spaces, but they are pretty darn reliable when installed correctly.
Some people hesitate using them in enclosed spaces, but they are pretty darn reliable when installed correctly.
#4
02-20-19, 11:12 AM
Many thanks for the help. I was thinking about using sharkbite but the pipe is too close to a pvc pipe and a horizontal 2x4 inside the drywall so I couldn't get a clean cut. Anyway, so I hire a professional plumber over and guess what, he just ripped the drywall a bit higher passing the pvc pipe and 2x4 wood and cut it there. I should've thought of that. Anyway, I learned something.
