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Feb 3, 2021
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Le Rouret
Member Type
DIY or Homeowner
Hello..

Need to cap off two copper pipes...the problem is getting access to a straight piece of copper to do a successful cap, see pictures.

I always prefer to solder.

The floor is reinforced concrete and I would rather not get the power chisel out..

The pipes coming out of the floor are twenty years old..they are teeing off pipes from the original house construction, 1970.

Distance from tiles to tee is about six inches.

I am particularly worried about applying any force on the recent copper as I do not want a leaky tee.

Advice please.
 

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Practice on a bit of spare before going live. It is a bit of a cowboy trick but works in a pinch. See it a lot on older systems.
 
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Practice on a bit of spare before going live. It is a bit of a cowboy trick but works in a pinch. See it a lot on older systems.
If you are going to do this ^ make sure you clean the inside of the pipe well before clamping and I'd add some flux inside as too.

I think I'd prefer to carefully cut flush and use a push-fit cap (e.g. JG speedfit). The danger is spoiling the 'O' ring if the end of the pipe is sharp so I would take a file to the outside edge of the cut to 'round' it off. A little smear of silicone grease might also hep ease it on and seal micro marks on the pipe. If this fails then you've lost nothing but time... so solder away!
 
If you are going to do this ^ make sure you clean the inside of the pipe well before clamping and I'd add some flux inside as too.

I think I'd prefer to carefully cut flush and use a push-fit cap (e.g. JG speedfit). The danger is spoiling the 'O' ring if the end of the pipe is sharp so I would take a file to the outside edge of the cut to 'round' it off. A little smear of silicone grease might also hep ease it on and seal micro marks on the pipe. If this fails then you've lost nothing but time... so solder away!
Hello and thanks.
Yes I did think about push fit but the pipe is not straight..its too bent and I am not sure it will make a good seal...and due to my age I much prefer solder !
 
Hello and thanks.
Yes I did think about push fit but the pipe is not straight..its too bent and I am not sure it will make a good seal...and due to my age I much prefer solder !
No worries. Pushfit can be surprisingly forgiving but I prefer solder myself - especially on old pipework.
 
mke sure you don t have water in them or you will have fun trying to solder them up, if water in get a thin tube and get out as much as poss.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: Radian
Practice on a bit of spare before going live. It is a bit of a cowboy trick but works in a pinch. See it a lot on older systems.
Hello..practice works fine...my soldering is pretty good 🙃 but I am a little nervous about this...the tee to the vertical is about seven inches..I can probably get most of the water out..it looks like the tee is the lowest point in the house so draining with taps is impossible...my paranoia stems from this thread...dire warnings about air expanding and blowing the cap or causing pin hole leaks...in your experience is this a load of w*nk ?


And there is no way way I can access the tee unless I go through six inches of reinforced concrete....well yes that is a way but would rather not..

Thanks again.
 

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