Compression fittings vs soldering Copper pipes: are they both as reliable and strong and long lasting?
Question:At home I opened up the wall and have to cut the copper pipes (hot and cold) with tube cutters to reroute them and reconnect them to new copper pipes. If I am not to do soldering, are compression fittings connections work just as good and reliable as soldering?
Answers:
If I can solder copper pipes, so can you. Buy a couple of extra parts and practice first. Always put the heat on the joint. The biggest tip I can give is to get it right the first time, because trying to redo a solder joint is really tricky.
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solder if you can. compession fitting will leak...
If it is done properly and tightly, compression fittings will hold.
Compression fittings are used on HVAC lines and are subjected to pressures of up to 300psi and do not leak. Soldering is best, but compression fittings will hold.
If you are not excellent at soldering better use the fittings.
Sweating is best answer, but be careful not to catch surrounding on fire. Instead of compression, look into sharkbite(push on fittings). They can be found at Home Depot and maybe Lowes, etc. They just push on and are great in a pinch. Compression ftgs will work if put on properly, but can leak if tightened to much or not enough. So if you can't solder, or hire it done, i would look into the push ftgs.
Most plumbing codes I am aware of limit compression fittings (including Sharkbite) to areas that will be open and easily seen at all times. They can come apart or leak so they are not allowed in walls.
Learn to solder, its easy with practicing. I'd imagine there are good websites that explain what to do.
You might want to look into pex pipe fittings. While they will cost a little more all you have to do is push them on to the pipe and your done. Unbelievably easy. They are guarantied to work.
You might want to check your codes for this. Either one is good for it's purpose but, not for a replacement. I wouldn't put it in a wall. Like on your toilet or under the sink where it's easy to get at for replacing but, not in a wall.
It takes about ten minutes to learn how to solder a pipe. This is the best method for in the wall pipe.
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