Waterline to hotwater heater

[busybee1952]

There is a piece of copper pipe that comes out of the polybuteline and then has a shut off (which doesn't seem to work) and then goes into the bottom of the hot water heater. I think this is the cold water pipe. Someone has soldered this pipe before just below the shut off valve but it is leaking. My question is, how do I get the dang thing off?

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t243 ... ertank.jpg

[Harry]

Hi

The heat from a blow torch will melt the soldered copper joint. If you want to reassemble the same pieces you will have to clean them up really good with sand paper before you re-solder. Then you apply some solder paste. If you haven't sweated copper pipe before you should find someone who has to show how.

Another option is to replace the copper with Pex. There are poly to Pex fittings and Pex to water heater fittings.

Harry

[busybee1952]

Harry, do you mean that it's okay to replace the copper tubing with PEX? Is it because PEX is used for under the floor heating? If so, that is a fabulous idea! The copper pipe is very intimidating. Thanks a bunch!

[Harry]

Hi

Yes... I would go with the Pex. Get a couple of extra rings and practice a time or 2 until you can crimp with one smooth motion. I get my Pex supplies/fittings from Lowes. Water heater plumbing is usually 3/4 inch.

Come back if you have more questions.

Harry