Hello, I wanted to get some opinions on how to proceed with my small project.
I have a gate valve that when shut won't stop the flow at the spigot outside. So I'd like to replace it with a ball valve. It has PVC glued into copper reducers then soldered to the valve. I was wondering what everyone's thought are on how to replace the valve. Just break the solder at the valve and replace or go the route of cutting the PVC. I have done both in the past, but I never worked on PVC and copper together. I am not sure if heating the solder connection will mess with the PVC being so close. (see pic) Thanks in advance for the replies. Take care,
I think you will have to cut the PVC. Those fittings were likely sweated onto the valve before attaching to the PVC. The heat to melt the solder stands a good chance of damaging the PVC so I wouldn't touch it with a torch. If you have PEX tools I would convert to PEX at the T from the supply pipe on the left and run everything in PEX and avoid all those elbow fittings.
Wow, I am surprised that that is even functional, those adaptors are for soldering to copper pipe, not gluing to PVC.
I love it when I see something new and unexpected.
Yes you need to replace with a PVC ball valve, but the problem you have is there is nothing to attach the valve to on the bottom once the copper adaptor is removed.
Not a big deal, you will need to cut out the "t" in the main line and rebuild it with elbow and pipe to valve, the top side once the copper adaptor is removed is sufficient.
Thank everyone for the replies. I do have a question. I thought PVC ball valves were more for lower pressure water system, like a pool. It it ok to use them on higher pressure like this house water line?
A residential line wouldn't be considered a "higher pressure" line. It usually tops out around 60ish and sometimes a bit higher but it's not allowed to be any higher than 80. I've yet to see a system that high in pressure.
The readily available ball valves are not only rated for those pressures, they are fantastic at being the least restrictive possible, as opposed to the gate valve which impedes flow.
That piping is CPVC not PVC – at least the FLOWGUARD pipe is CPVC and I assume the other pipe in the picture is the same. And that makes sense since PVC is not allowed for water distribution inside the house – but CPVC is. But they do make CPVC ball valves. See link for example and note this one is rated for 150 psi.
It's good that you found this and are replacing it. I can't imagine that the copper/cpvc glue joint is going to last, seems like different expansion and contraction would eventually break the glue to copper seal.
I am preparing to run some 1/2" PEX in the walls of my detached garage. One thing I am running into it is turning the corners. I know I can probably get a fitting in there. I would rather avoid that as I think it would be a weak point and would be nearly impossible to service later other than cutting it out.
This is one of my corners. I think they call this a California corner.
[img]https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/2000x1124/0830210637_c0b1733e9c4a37ef54727c840aade849eb7614b3.jpg[/img]
Here are one of those 90 degree bend PEX bend supports.
[img]https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.doityourselft.com-vbulletin/676x331/2021_08_30_7_00_03_c3405acd37bc2d14b00ce6e90b0486f802c3cb92.jpg[/img]
I think I could use this and make the turn, but thought I would ask before I start boring big holes in the studs.
08-17-21, 10:40 AM
