How to Fix a Leaky Copper Pipe With PVC
Copper pipes, like most metal pipes, can leak over time as they rust and break, or form tiny pinhole leaks. The easiest way to repair a copper pipe is to cut away the bad section, solder in a couple of thread fittings and install a piece of PVC to the fittings. PVC, which is a thick or thin plastic pipe, gives you the durability for the project, yet is flexible for those tight fits. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Pen
- Copper pipe cutting tool
- Emery cloth
- Propane torch
- Lighter
- Flux
- Brush
- Solder
- 2 copper male threaded fittings with a slip end
- Pipe thread tape
- 2 PVC female threaded fittings with a slip end
- Hack saw
- Utility knife
- 1 section PVC thick wall pipe, 8 feet
- PVC cement
- Pipe wrench
Instructions
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1
Turn off the flow of water to the pipe that is leaking. Mark the area where the leak is and then measure about six inches on either side of the leak and mark the two measurements.
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2
Cut the leaking section of pipe out on the two marks using the copper pipe cutter. Sand both ends of the pipe where the section is missing with the emery cloth. Sand about two inches on each end until the copper is shiny and clean.
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3
Brush a coat of flux on one end of the sanded pipe and on the inside of the slip end of one of the copper fittings. Slide the slip end of the fitting onto the end of the pipe with flux. Light the soldering torch and heat the connection until you see the flux bubble and begin to drip. Apply solder to the joint, opposite the flame, and allow the heat to pull the solder into the joint to seal it. Work your way around the joint until it is sealed with solder. Repeat this step to attach the slip end of the remaining copper fitting to the other sanded copper pipe.
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4
Screw on each of the female PVC fittings onto the threaded end of the soldered copper male fittings. Measure from the rigid center of one PVC fitting to the rigid center of the other PVC fitting. Remove the female fittings from the copper pipes.
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5
Cut a piece of PVC pipe to the measurement taken between the two female PVC fittings, using the hack saw. Scrape away any PVC shavings or debris with the utility knife.
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6
Wrap the threads on both copper male fittings with thread tape, beginning at the end of the fitting and wrapping in a clockwise direction until the threads are evenly covered with tape. This will help seal the joint and prevent any leaks.
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7
Apply glue to the the outside of one end of the PVC pipe and the inside of the slip end on one of the female fittings. Slide the fitting over the end of the pipe until the end of the pipe abuts the rigid center. Repeat this step to attach the slip end of the remaining PVC fitting over the opposite end of the pipe.
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8
Thread one of the PVC female fittings onto the threaded end of one of the male copper fittings, and gently tighten the connections with the wrench. Repeat this step to attach the remaining end of PVC pipe and fitting to the other male copper fitting, and tighten it down.
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9
Turn the water flow to the pipe back on and carefully look over each joint for leaks and tighten the joints as needed if there are leaks.
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Tips & Warnings
You can use either thin-wall or thick-wall PVC pipe for your project. Thick-wall PVC is more durable, yet the thin-wall is more flexible to work with.
Avoid using the open flame torch in a area where there may be flammable material as this could result in a fire.
Avoid contact with either the cutter or saw to the hands as the blades are very sharp and could cause serious injury.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit pvc image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
