View Full Version : How to join copper tubing to iron pipe
 
 JfromNJ
Sep 26, 2007, 11:22 AM
I have gas/hot water heating system with radiators. I want to replace the iron pipe mains with copper tubing and adapt to the iron risers going up to the radiators. Is there a fitting to adapt unthreaded iron pipe to copper?
 ballengerb1
Sep 26, 2007, 12:22 PM
You would need to use dielectric unions.  Plumbing System Components - The Dielectric Union (http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/plumbing/systems/components/union_de/intro.htm) 
This would prevent the corrosion that would happen with these two dissimilar metals.
 JfromNJ
Sep 26, 2007, 12:45 PM
Thank you ballengerb1. The dielectric union will solve part of my problem. I am more interested inknowing if there is an adpter for copper to unthreaded iron pipe. The risers leading up to the radiators hang too low in the basement. I would like to just cut them at ceiling height and adapt to new copper there. I want to avoid either replacing the risers with shorter nipples or cutting and re-threading the risers.
 ballengerb1
Sep 26, 2007, 12:53 PM
Sorry, don't know of a good away around your situation. The unions I've used would require rethreading the galvanized pipe but that's no big issue for me because I have the tools. You can rent the equipment for a few hours for about $15. Obviously the copper side of the union can be soldered.
 labman
Sep 26, 2007, 01:53 PM
Maybe check out the Shark-Bite connectors.   I think the 3/4'' ones would join 3/4'' copper to unthreaded 1/2'' iron.   Check the directions.  Ace Hardware has them plus plumbing supplies.  I haven't seen them at the big box stores.