Tips for Installing Your Own Copper Repiping

If you are a homeowner considering installing copper repiping, you have probably been looking around the web for tips, tricks, how-to instructions and so forth to find out what you need to know about the task ahead. But basically what it comes down to is your own self-confidence, determination and a truck-load of patience. We would like to sit here and say, ‘Hey, there's nothin' to it, it actually quite simple.' but the fact remains that the statement is subjective at best. Knowing your own skill level, and more importantly, knowing when you are in over head is probably the best advice we can give you.

On to the task at hand, repiping your home.

Aside from helping you estimate how much material you'll need or how long it will take, we'll get down to the nitty gritty of it. Since you are probably not a seasoned veteran of the local plumber's union, we suggest you work your way backwards. Instead of starting at the main line and working your way throughout the rest of the house, you should probably start with the end of the line – sinks, toilets, showers and the laundry room first.

It's important to run the new copper piping alongside the old pipes throughout the house before you actually tie them into the main line. The logic behind starting from the end-use areas is that they are likely the hardest places to access, therefore they will be the most time consuming – also they are the most likely areas to develop leaks because of hard to solder areas.

Speaking of soldering, you may want to read our how-to article on soldering copper piping joints, either to learn it for the first time or possible brush up on the subject. Soldering is the most important part of the copper repiping installation project. Without good, solid solder joints, the pipes could leak, creating more havoc than the old galvanized steel pipes made. Even mediocre soldering practices won't hold water over the years – it may not leak right away, but it'll leak eventually.

One particular problem you may face when installing your copper piping is access – sometimes you have it, sometimes you don't. You may find yourself facing situations where you'll have to remove sections of wall, floor or ceiling if you want to run the piping alongside your old pipes. For these troublesome areas, we recommend you use a little good ole fashioned American ingenuity – just don't over the top. There may be cases where routing your new copper pipes in a different way than the original install is a good idea. It's fine to do so, but if you start to doubt yourself regarding placement, don't be afraid to put your ego down along with your tools and ask a professional for help.