How to find other end of copper pipe
#1
09-10-20, 03:51 PM
How to find other end of copper pipe
We had a sink in the middle of a room in a home we moved into. We had the sink removed and the lines were capped. The pipes were secured to the floor joists to prevent any rattling. This is on a main level in the rafters between the basement and the main level floor.
However the pipes are quite long and we never actually knew where they connected to other water lines - When I looked at them before they were capped, they traveled for about 20 feet, then turned 90° in the general direction of a kitchen sink, but that sink would be another 20 feet away.
Months later...
When water is turned off anywhere in the house there is a high-pitched vibration sound coming from those pipes. Those pipes have since had hardwood floors put over top of them, and there is no easy access to them from below without cutting into the basement ceiling. So, I am wondering if there is a way to find the other end of these pipes so that we might potentially cut them off at the source. I’m wondering if there are any tools that might cause pipes to vibrate or something of that nature…(I’m thinking of how tuning forks on musical instruments send vibrations through the entire instrument). I have no idea...We might be stuck just hearing that noise, but I am wondering if anyone has any clever ideas. Thank you so much.
However the pipes are quite long and we never actually knew where they connected to other water lines - When I looked at them before they were capped, they traveled for about 20 feet, then turned 90° in the general direction of a kitchen sink, but that sink would be another 20 feet away.
Months later...
When water is turned off anywhere in the house there is a high-pitched vibration sound coming from those pipes. Those pipes have since had hardwood floors put over top of them, and there is no easy access to them from below without cutting into the basement ceiling. So, I am wondering if there is a way to find the other end of these pipes so that we might potentially cut them off at the source. I’m wondering if there are any tools that might cause pipes to vibrate or something of that nature…(I’m thinking of how tuning forks on musical instruments send vibrations through the entire instrument). I have no idea...We might be stuck just hearing that noise, but I am wondering if anyone has any clever ideas. Thank you so much.
#2
09-10-20, 04:09 PM
Super Moderator
Is there a hot water circulation pump on the hw line?
Check to see if there is a pump that my be making that noise.
Check to see if there is a pump that my be making that noise.
#3
09-10-20, 06:06 PM
I don't have any good solution for finding the other end of the pipes, that doesn't involve cutting pipes and some luck.
But something must have started to cause them to vibrate. I'd look at a bad washer in a valve or PRV. It doesn't solve your main question, but there's really any reason they should be vibrating.
But something must have started to cause them to vibrate. I'd look at a bad washer in a valve or PRV. It doesn't solve your main question, but there's really any reason they should be vibrating.
#5
09-11-20, 02:19 PM
Does the noise appear when either a cold or hot water faucet is turned off? Since you could see the pipes in the basement when the sink was removed but not now, could the basement ceiling installation be making contact with the pipes somewhere causing vibration? Many times water pipes pass under floor joists (versus between floor joists) in a basement.
#6
09-13-20, 08:51 AM
That’s possible. I know the pipes were NOT run through, but rather under, the joists as you say....
and I haven’t figured out if it’s hot, cold, or both that triggers the vibrating.
I still need to look into the pressure valve, because it does seem like it’s a vibration caused by sudden water shutoff. If the water is gradually turned off, there is no noise. That much I have figured out. Does that suggest pressure valve? Something else?
and I haven’t figured out if it’s hot, cold, or both that triggers the vibrating.
I still need to look into the pressure valve, because it does seem like it’s a vibration caused by sudden water shutoff. If the water is gradually turned off, there is no noise. That much I have figured out. Does that suggest pressure valve? Something else?
[i]Existing 3/4” shutoff...being replaced with 1” when the 1” pex is extended up the wall. [/i]
[i]Close up of existing 3/4” ball valve model #. [/i]
Reason I’m looking is that I’m extending my 1” service line (pex-b) and want to add a 1” shutoff and ‘T’ off of it with a 1”x1”x3/4” PureFlow T (comes with sleeves) to go to a sillcock. So I’d need a 1” shutoff and a 3/4” shutoff w/drain.
Existing plumbing was all done in the PureFlow press fittings. I picked up the 1” and 3/4” viega press (hand) tool off of craigslist for an amazing deal, so now I just need to figure out what valves to use and I can get going on this.
Supply House has this: [url=https://www.supplyhouse.com/Raven-806V001-NL-1-VIEGA-Style-PEX-Drop-Ear-Ball-Valve-w-o-Drain-Lead-Free]1” Viega Style Ball Valve with Drop Ears [/url]I’d assume you just buy the sleeves and press it in.
Sorry for rambling, but I wanted to make sure I gave enough info to get help on which ball valve/fitting for purchasing. Thanks in advance for your help!