can i re-use copper pipe?

[Jennie]

Hi all,
I'm working on a house renovation, and trying to save costs for the customer by re-using copper pipe from previous installations.
The pipe so far removed has been clean inside (although I've had to remove some paint from the outside).
Last week I came across a domestic hot water pipe that was green inside. Instinct said not to reuse it.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts as to why the inside was green, and whether you'd re-use it.
Thanks,
Jennie

 

[Paulus]

Personally if a customer wanted me to re-use old copper pipe I would tell them to go and look for a plumber crazy enough to do so. The old pipe could be days away from getting a pin-hole leak and guess who would be sorting it out for free. Not Me.

 

[SimonG]

I sometimes recycle bits of copper, as long as it's cleanish.

 

[SimonJohns]

Don't reuse old gas pipes

The smell doesn't go that easy

And I'm in the boat of "if you can't afford new tube, you can't afford me!"

 

[tamz]

Don't reuse old gas pipes

The smell doesn't go that easy

Learned from experience Simon :lol:
I did!

 

[lame plumber]

proper plumber can find better use for old copper pipe down the scrappies.

 

[Elbow]

Personally if a customer wanted me to re-use old copper pipe I would tell them to go and look for a plumber crazy enough to do so. The old pipe could be days away from getting a pin-hole leak and guess who would be sorting it out for free. Not Me.

On the other hand, there are "theories" floating about that the old copper tube was better / thicker / stonger than some of the new stuff. Are these just "urban myths"?

 

[lame plumber]

old copper was thicker but its even thicker now its full of crud!

 

[marvoni]

I'd be more worried about the less visible defects such as pin-***** type corrosion because of electrolytic action. It would also be more labour intensive to clean it back to bright if you're using soldered fittings. If the customer was willing to accept the liability in writing I suppose some may be reusable but I doubt I'd do it. When I did building work at my house I re-used the old copper tube as curtain rails and electrical conduit for visible areas.

 

[PowerFlusher2]

Stay away from any copper tubing you come across which has a thin red line along its length!

 

[AWheating]

make sure the customer understands the lack of warranty and insurance with such work.

 

[REDSAW]

Stay away from any copper tubing you come across which has a thin red line along its length!

spent most of my life looking down that?

 

[Koogatubac]

Really? Your doing plumbing jennie and you dont know why the inside has turned green?

STOP AND GET A PROFESSIONAL IN!

 

[Kyle87]

Next you will be unsweating the elbows off your scrap and using them on new installations.

 

[dancinplumba]

Next you will be unsweating the elbows off your scrap and using them on new installations.

That's what I do 🙂 save a fortunes

 

[Kyle87]

That's what I do 🙂 save a fortunes

Building up your van stock off your scrap. Awesome!!

 

[WHPES]

I sometimes reuse old bits but only where it's clean and free from any corrosion. Usually it's just long straight lengths of central heating pipe as long as it's not full of crud. As long as it's clean, copper's copper.