Posted on 03/11/2023 4:52:41 PM PST by Rastus
I installed a compression shut off valve for a toilet supply line for the first time. I had plenty of pipe, so I cut off the old soldered valves and then used Emory cloth and a deburring tool to prep the pipe. I didn’t expect the hard part to be putting the nut on the pipe. I had a hell of a time, but I finally got it on and tight with no leaks. But, I ultimately have nine valves to install and would like to know if there’s an easier way. Maybe some kind of lubricant that won’t compromise the joint? Is this supposed to be the hard part? I think maybe I was just too timid about applying pressure.
But now, with this picture, I see where to grab it with my secondary wrench—right below the supply line.
Just ‘sweated on’ three Sharkbite 3/8 angle stop supply valves. ALL THREE LEAKED AT THE BALL VALVE (not at the soldered joint)
I replaced with Brasscraft.
Called SharkBite. Customer Service said “What Do You Want Us To Do About It?”
Thank You SharkBite !
I am good at soldering, just not good at soldering lead free solder.
Most people avoid hard copper today. Most people use PEX. Crimp fittings.
The key to successfully sweating copper is to have the correct flux. Buy them both at the same time and place.
Better than Sharkbite is ProBite + / QuickFitting
Mineline resells them as their brand, but they are available, elsewhere.
More on those, here:
Far longer warranty and far high PSI rating than Sharkbite.
That is, “Mainline” sells them as its own.
Plumbers use acetylene so they never really noticed the change to lead-free solder.
Not a fan of shark bites but many plumbers use them
This is the tool to use:
https://www.amazon.com/Pasco-13-2706-4661-1-SS/dp/B00065DH2W
Started my plumbing company 40 years ago. Ran 25 to 40 plumbers.
This is the easiest way to remove compression nuts and not mess up the existing plumbing.
IMPORTANT - remember to not twist or pull the copper pipe in such a way as to turn the pipe inside the wall. You will create a worse mess, then have to cut the wall open. This tool when used correctly, pulls the nut straight off.
Good Luck
Probably not. They have an O-ring seal.
Wow. That’s unusual for a ball valve to leak. Even the cheap ones.
Yep.
And like most trades, they don’t want to make it too easy for the do it yourselfer’s to replace their skills. /sarcasm kind of.
Even the local stores don’t know why no one uses sweat copper, besides the price.
Yes. But Oatey was a good supplier for flux, but Kester was the most reliable.
I spent close to 40 years in the wholesale hardware distribution industry. For 2 privately held distributors. I was a Drummer for 14 year and the remainder wore a number of different hats. (have been a Ham Op for 45 years, got my GROL Commercial license in 2000)
Why would store clerks know, lead-free has been mandated for plumbers for almost 40 years?
The trade did not make the change as you say, the EPA did in 1986, personally, I still have a lot of the old solder but I don’t use it although I use copper for my home, I use the lead-free.
You might get Lucky and just be able to tighten it, but it looks like the pipe has a slight bend in it. You want the pipe to be as straight as possible. You could try loosening the nut all the way & coating the sleeve with pipe dope before putting it back together.
First blush I would say that that isn’t copper pipe - it appears to be tubing. Sharkbite. But shop them around they can get spendy.
“for almost 40 years”
I’m in final stages of restoring a 75 year old home that my grandparents built in 1946. Sweat copper throught, except for recent additions.
I bought what I thought I needed in sweat copper and put together the shower assembly in one of the bathrooms, I burned up a 1/2 lb roll of lead free solder and never could get a leak free connection. So I let one of the contractors helping me use PEX, it was effortless. (The house is a tall pier and beam construction.)
Later I talked with my nephew (was a plumber many years and now works in a plumbing supply house in Sweetwater. He told me I would have to use MAP gas to get a clean bond. I think it was that and the flux.
Note, I am 75 years old.
There are no code enforcements here. You can do whatever you want to on almost everything. I like that.
My family has owned/operated farms in this county since 1889.
Over the years I have seen a lot of bad practices, I try to avoid them.
I learned the hard way to always use good quality, fresh flux with lead free solder. Using the right torch tip and MAP gas also helps, especially in cold weather.
Removing the lead was a good idea and as I said, it never turned out to be a problem for the plumbers, I sure never expected to hear so much about it in 2023, almost 40 years later.
Go to Home Depot buy Brasscraft 1/4 turn shutoff valves with push on connection. Install and forget about water shutoff valves for the next twenty five years. They don’t corrode or get stuck like cheap turn style valves made from solid brass.
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