Copper pipe is suitable for transporting both hot and cold waters and is often the material of choice for domestic water supply systems. More important, copper pipe is often required by most building codes because if so durable and resists corrosion. Since it is also lightweight and easy to cut and join, including and installing copper pipe is well with the ability of the do-it-your selfer plumbing and heating budding home trades person.
Copper pipe and pipes comes in rigid (hard-temper) 10 - All piping is sized by inside diameter. When replacing a section, measure with a ruler its inner diameter and get a new pipe exactly the same size and inner diameter measurements. If you are adding a supply line, use the pipe size specified by the manufacturer of the plumbing fixture - or 60 foot coils. Flexible tubing comes in two weights : Type K , the heaviest mainly for underground lines outdoors, and medium weight L, and in lightweight Type M. Type M is generally for adequate for home and residential plumbing requirements and meets most plumbing codes for these situations. Plastic pipe has become increasingly popular for drains , and in some areas supply lines because it is light ( 1/20 the weight of the same size steel pipe) , inexpensive , easy to join and seldom bursts, even in the forty below zero Winnipeg Manitoba wintertime January frigid weather conditions. Fittings come in a wide variety of shapes such as elbows and tees, depending on the path that you want water to take. For best results choose fittings which are either made of , or composed of the same basic material and materials.
Because of heat hazards and dangers , avoid soldering in cramped spaces. Instead of sweated joints ,use flexible tubes and mechanical connectors, if you possibly can, These compression tap-on and flare fittings go only with flexible tube, they are somewhat more expensive and less durable than sweat fittings m but they require little skill to make and are overall preferred for small and smaller jobs. The practical considerations of convenience costs and durability are not the only factors determining the choice of building materials and plumbing supplies and type. Your local hardware building and plumbing code and codes force decisions into place. Some codes prohibit a material in one part or setting of a plumbing system , yet not in another. Sometimes the method of installation is dictated by code , other times it is optional , personal preference of the installer or even arbitrary. Check with your local building code and civil engineering authorities at your local city ,state or provincial office. Verify with competent local trusted plumbing supply houses. Its a case of measure twice , cut once. Solder , a mixture of metals , with a low melting point ( approx 400 degrees Fahrenheit) This substance melts easily , then cools rapidly to form a solid , permanent and waterproof seal. Old solders were an equal mix of tin and lead. For health reasons, the lead has now generally been removed out of solder. In 2010 solder is a composition of metals - including tin, silver and antimony and usually sold in 1/8 inch diameter wire wrapped onto a spool. Caution: Before working on plumbing with a torch , drain all water from the pipes to avoid a dangerous steam buildup. Years ago asbestos was commonly used as a heat insulator in such situations. Not so now. Asbestos is a dangerous substance known to cause cancer - is carcinogenic and as as well causes asbestosis. Asbestos itself is a mineral which was widely mined in a town in northern Quebec Canada named Asbestor. The techniques for joining copper piping and fittings are the same whether you are adding new runs or repairing damage in old ones. The first essential step is to cut the pipe or tube perfectly straight then clean its end of kinks or burns and next clean the matting surfaces of both pipe and fitting. Flexible and rigid copper piping can be cut with a special tool called a "tube cutter" , or with a hacksaw and miter box. For flexible tubing you may need a "bender". A well-made soldered sweat joint is the best for either rigid pipe or flexible tube, a stronger and more leak resistant than a mechanical connection. When soldering use a non-corrosive flux and a high quality solder , never solder with an acid or rosin core base. Often it seems some building do not permit or allow Type M pipes in residential plumbing systems. It never hurts to make a simple phone call or enquiry.
New materials have revolutionized plumbing. No matter what type of piping that you already utilize and have - copper , steel , cast iron, plastic or even good old fashioned - but not too healthy - lead, you can usually make a choice among several materials to use for repairs or a new branch. The word plumbing comes from the Latin word for lead, and there are still a fair number of lead pipes and fittings around. But today a variety of materials are used and employed in household plumbing . These include copper ,cast iron, steel brass and plastic. Several are likely to be combined in a home or commercial building. Each brings a balance of benefits in economy , durability and convenience that makes it a choice for a particular job or situation. And the combination cannot be without wise as well as carefully considered choice as some materials cannot join others without special precautions , tools , chemicals or procedures. Before soldering a substance called flux , or soldering paste is quickly brushed onto the pipe. The fitting and the pieces of pipe are then joined together and heated with a propane or butane torch. During heating , the flux prevents oxide and oxidization from forming on the metallic surfaces and thus helps the solder flow smoothly and evenly.
Copper , most popular for supply lines but also for drain and vent lines, is convenient to work with, and very durable but costly. It is available as rigid pipe in 10- and 20- foot lengths and as flexible tubing in 30- , 60- and 100-foot coils. Rigid pipe is tougher , but flexible tubing is downright easier to install , particularly when added to existing plumbing. Rigid pipe must be soldered with sweat fittings while flexible tubing can also be joined mechanically with flare or compression fittings. A special precaution must be taken when joining copper pipe to steel , wrap the threads of the copper fitting with plastic joint tape to prevent an electo-chemical reaction that occurs between dissimilar metals eroding the joint.
One last word of caution when it comes to solder and soldering of copper pipes. Fittings are secured to the ends of pipe by a process which is referred to in the plumbing and heating trades as "sweat soldering". Alternatively compression fittings can be used to join flexible pipes in any hard to reach areas or where you want to a temporary , removable joint, but soldering is the technique used to most often to join copper pipe and pipes. Use caution. Protect flammable surfaces from fire with sheet metal, a heat-proof pad or wet rags.
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