How To Repair 1/2 Copper Pipe

Today you'll acquire how to fix a copper pipage.

Here's the Story:

Concluding Lord's day I got a frantic text from my wife…

…water was leaking from the kitchen ceiling!!!!!!!

What would y'all practice in this situation?

If you don't accept an immediate answer you're in luck.

Seriously, EVERY homeowner should know how to ready leaky copper pies.

Permit's dive in.

Why Learn to Fix Leaky Copper Pipes

How much does a plumber price on Sunday?

Y'all don't want to find out…trust me.

So it's skilful to know how to repair copper pipe leaks.

Subsequently today yous'll have the conviction to exercise this yourself.

Here are the supplies you demand

SharkBite Couplings
SharkBite Depth Tool
AutoCut Copper Pipe Cutter
Ridgid No. 10 or fifteen Tubing Cutter
Milwaukee PEX Tubing Cutter
Emery Cloth
Drywall Saw
Utility Knife
PEX (optional)
Copper Pipe (Type L)
Sharpie Marker
These Amazon Links aid support Home Repair Tutor, many thanks for using them

You don't need all these tools.

But they're nice to know nearly.

What's the outset step when assessing a h2o leak?

How to Start a Copper Pipe Repair

Unless in that location's water gushing from the ceiling, exit the water on.

That way you can identify the location of the leaking piping.

I know this sounds NUTS, but it helps spot the leak.

Feel the ceiling or wall for sponginess.

Saw a small square or rectangle in your drywall ceiling.

Yah, this is scary but you have to do it — PLUS your drywall is ruined, and so who cares, lol.

Do your best Magnum PI impression and audit for the leaking pipe.

Mustache is Non optional.

Hither's what I found:

…a copper pipe pinhole leak, FUN TIMES

Once you locate the pipage leak, shut the water off to the firm.

Drain the water lines, I did this at our laundry tub.

Please alibi it's grime. I wasn't expecting to practice this tutorial on a Sunday night!!

Whew, dealing with a h2o leak can be stressful.

What'southward the easiest way to repair a pipage leak?

Can You lot Fix a Copper Piping Leak Without Soldering?

Yes

One word:

SharkBites

Fortunately I had some spare one/ii inch SharkBite couplings in my tool box

These slide onto copper, PVC, or PEX pipes.

AND anyone tin utilize them.

Beginning the repair by cut out the leaky piece of piping.

This is surprisingly cathartic (in the video I testify you lot my favorite tool for doing this)

It'southward not a bad idea to hold a container under the pipe.

When you lot cut information technology, any actress water will bleed – prior experience and harsh words from my wife have trained me to do this!

If you use copper choose Blazon L considering it's thicker than Blazon M and volition terminal longer.

Debur your copper pipe with a piping cutting tool or utility knife.

This is ULTRA important for SharkBites (or soldering if you choose to go that route).

Then smooth downward the first ane inch of copper pipe with emery cloth.

Why I Honey SharkBites

SharkBite fittings are great because you simply push them onto pipes.

Seriously, I'm pretty sure my 11 year one-time daughter tin use them.

Yous need to make sure they fit on the end of the pipe past i inch.

Utilize the SharkBite depth tool or a measuring tape to make your marker.

Push the SharkBite onto the pipe and make certain information technology's affluent with the mark.

Super piece of cake.

Since we've had issues with copper I chose to employ PEX every bit my replacement pipe.

Cut the end of the PEX square with a PEX tubing cutter, Milwaukee makes a good one.

(Notation: PEX tube cutters make smashing cigar cutters, as well)

In the ceiling, I cutting the copper ii inches shy of the T plumbing equipment.

I had to debur and emery material this pipage as well.

Then I made my 1 inch marking for the SharkBite plumbing fixtures.

How to Install SharkBites on Copper Pipes

There was slack in my copper line, so I decided to employ 2 1/2″ SharkBite couplings.

If you don't have slack in your copper line yous can use a SharkBite Slip Fitting.

The Slip Fitting tin can slide on the pipage and permit yous to adhere your replacement pipage without problem.

Measure the distance between your two SharkBite couplings and add together 2 inches onto your dimension.

I'm non good with measurements but this is piece of cake.

This is the dimension for your new piece of piping.

Once it's cutting square, debured, and emery clothed you simply button information technology into the two SharkBite couplings.

The video tutorial has a few extra tips…

…PLUS a cool SURPRISE giveaway.

I explain the giveaway in the video

What's Adjacent

SharkBites and PEX fittings are great options if yous want to avoid soldering.

Our PEX Pipe tutorial is a great if you've never used it.

If you're doing a bathroom remodel and need assistance, join one of our online courses – they'll make your bathroom renovation much easier!

Let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my all-time to assistance.

Cheers,

Jeff

Fix a Copper Pipe Leak