I just replaced the bathroom faucet but ran into a small snag while doing it. The old semi-flexible line from the cold shut off was too short to reach so I ended up attaching the hot supply line to the "cold" faucet and attached the cold supply line to the "hot" faucet and then just swapped the handles to match.

In doing this I ended up with a very small leak and decided that I want to replace the shutoff valves so that I can use the braided flexible lines and put hot and cold on the right sides. The current shutoff valve has a non replaceable permanent connection to the line. I will attach pictures.

My problem is I don't understand what kind of connection I have from the supply line coming from the wall to the current shutoff valve, I think this it's a compression fitting but I haven't done much plumbing before. I want to be sure I get what I need at Home Depot without making another trip with all the water shut off to the house to replace the valves.

http://cyclejim.smugmug.com/photos/272752292_Jit5M-L-0.jpg

Thanks in advance!

Jim

That's a 5/8 OD compression fitting. It will fit a 1/2" copper tube.

You want the other end to be 3/8" compression.

JIM - I agree with Kiss , He gave you a good answer. I bet the turned around faucets gave youal the ins! :: GOOD LUCK & GOD BLESS ;;; F.B.E.

Thanks guys. Can I just re-use the existing compression fitting, and get a new shutoff valve? KISS when you said the other end needs to be 3/8, I didn't quite understand that part is the 3/8 for the valve itself?

Jim:

You want to order (2) - 5/8" compression x 3/8" compression angle stops (see pic. #1).

Then will need (2) 3/8" compression x 1/2" IPS x12" long (or longer) braided sink hoses (see pic. #2).

The 5/8" compression fits over the copper tubing... the 3/8" compression accepts the 3/8" compression braided hose end and the 1/2" IPS nut on other end of braided hose should fit the faucet fittings.

You may be able to use the old compression nut and compression sleeve. You have nothing to lose by attempting to use old one anyway. If that doesn't work for you then just cut the copper pipe and install the new compression sleeve and compression nut and tighten up to shutoff (do not overtighten these).

For the shutoff close to wall... well... let's hope you can use the old compression sleeve and nut ;) If not, then try to wiggle the compression sleeve loose... may be able to get off. I get 'em off about 50% of the time.

Let us know if need more... Mark

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Mark, thanks for the detailed response that really helped clear it up. I just got back from Home Depot and picked up the hoses and the angle fittings. Only thing is, they did not have any 5/8 compression to 3/8 compression fittings. The only ones that had were all 1/2 inlet to 3/8 compression and on the box were labeled as 1/2 non comp inlet to 3/8 compression. I checked all of the bins but figured the pipe is 1/2 as far as I know so I picked that up. Attached is a pic of what I got. Does this look right?

Thanks

It all looks right from what I can see... 1/2" non compression sounds similar to 1/2" nominal.. so sounds like you are fine here! They must have changed it to confuse homeowner's less.. ;) I can pretty much tell by looking at shutoff that you are all set... good call.

Let us know how it goes... Mark

Thanks again Mark, I will report back after the install. :)

In my original post, I told you to watch out for the labeling. 1/2" tube. The copper "pipe" is copper tubing. Pipe and tubing sizes can confuse everybody. For instance there is copper tubing and refrigeration tubing and the OD is different.

If you go into a HVAC supply house for an elbow to fit 3/4 in pipe, they will have it in a bin marked 7/8 elbow. An 1/2 inch pipe clamp is not the same as a 1/2 inch tubing clamp.

Drives you nuts sometimes.

In one post massplumber2008 said: "For the shutoff close to wall...well...let's hope you can use the old compression sleeve and nut If not, then try to wiggle the compression sleeve loose...may be able to get off. I get 'em off about 50% of the time."

Question: If the pipe coming out of the wall is too short to cut and you can't get the old compression sleeve loose, what do you do? Thanks!

Helping hand...

You get a combination handle puller/compression sleeve removal tool and use that to remove the ferrule. Then you install a new ferrule and nut and install the new valve as usual. Do NOT use pipe dope or teflon tape on the compression connectiuon... ;)

This tool costs about $12.00 and is available at home depot, Lowe's and menards... ;)

Let us know if need more...

MARK

See picture below.

Thanks massplumber! That's very helpful! I did not know about this tool. Is it a general rule to NOT use pipe dope/teflon tape whenever using compression fittings?

Lastly, how do you tell if the shutoff valve is attached to the copper pipe coming out of the wall by a compression fitting or soldered? I've attached a picture. I think its soldered because I can't see any threads between the compression nut and the valve. Just wondering if there's a fool proof way of being able to tell the difference between the two. Thanks again!

No Teflon tape on compression fittings. You can use plumber's grease or something that aids dissassembly, but no tape or pipe dope.

The lower fitting is compression. I see a thread and no solder. You have to remember to use two wrenches. One for the valve body and another for the nut.

Hi Helping hand...

KISS pretty much said all that needs to be said...

You definitely have a compression valve (all shutoffs in this post are compression valves) there and as stated will need two wrenches/pliers to work with this valve. You do not want to overtighten these... hand tight plus a full turn or so should do the trick!

By the way, from what I see you could actually cut the shutoff off next to nut with a hacksaw and then install a new compressiuon valve. You have plenty of pipe left to install all parts and tighten them, but overall nice to use the puller tool aand cut pipe only as a last resort!

I have included a picture of a solder type shutoff... no threads or large nuts... pipe fits inside shutoff and gets soldered.

Good luck... let us know if have more questions.

MARK

Although the answers on this question were insightful, I do want to add that even though your using compression fittings,, In 25 years of working in the trades , don't rule out using teflon tape on threading. After working on many many old houses. I have found compresssion fitting are not a giving. It doesn't hurt to back your work up either!!