Quote:
Originally posted by LeRoux Strydom
Go for copper - best in the long run. Soldering is easy with the right tools.
Long time no hear, Willem.
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I just replumbed my entire circa 1925 house with copper in March. Copper is expensive these days. But take your time and you can do it right. I never soldered a joint in my life before I started the project. I took my time and zero leaks. Replaced everything, shut off the water at the street and even replaced the valves on each side of the meter inside the house.
If you are planning on staying iin the house for a long time, I would make a few suggestions.
1) Use ball valves instead of gate valves, the flow better, shut off better but cost more.
2) Figure on how to run 3/4" main line through out the home then branch off 1/2" line to you kitchen, bath, powder room, laundry.
3) when you go to hook up your ice maker or humidifier line (if applicable) use real connectors with compression fitting and not "piercing saddle valves)
4) Make sure you WIPE CLEAN you joints after you solder them! The flux that you use with cause the joints to corrode and the pipes to turn green.
5) But a MAP gas torch, (yellow bottle) they heat much faster than propane (blue) and only cost a little more.
6) Take your time! And make sure your pipe and fitting are CLEAN at the joints before you solder!
It is very satisfying when you are done and can show it off to all your friends!
Erik