I got quotes from a few plumbers on replacing my galvanized iron pipes in my basement to copper. Keep in mind that the water main, and all the pipes connecting the water heater are already copper. As are the pipes that go up to the second floor. So basically I just need the pipes that lead to the first floor kitchen sink, and first floor bathroom changed to copper. How much money do you think that would cost including labor? I'm talking about 30 feet of piping. (also the drain pipe that would probably be changed to PVC)

Mike:

You said you got quotes from a FEW plumbers..

I am sure anything I suggest will PALE in comparison to three different plumbers that have actually seen the job.

Maybe you would like to try to do the water piping yourself... now that is where WE CAN HELP YOU!

Soldering not so bad with help... cutting old pipes out not so hard either. Let us know if you want to try. Start at Yahoo... type in soldering fittings at the video tab of search box. Watch video... then buy a mappgas cylinder and torch tip, lead free solder, flux, sandcloth, copper pipes, cleaning brush, copper fittings, hangers, teflon tape, wrenches, pliers, new shutoffs... may need to rent sawzall?? Let us know...glad to help... Mark
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Mark:

Why do you like MAPP for this type of soldering? Faster than propane?

I've used MAPP for silver soldering, but not Tin-Antimony.

Hey Ron:

Yes... much faster then propane.

I was raised on the old acetylene torch with the big B tank bottles of gas... then I graduated over to the turbotorch... you want to talk fast soldering!! That turbotorch will even let you solder a pipe if there is water dripping out of it... I guess that's why I like acetylene so much.

The MAPP gas setup allows me the same luxury... in/out soldering and I am done. Of course, I saw that the they now make a souped up version of the propane type, too... looks like that might work well... but when it was just the old propane setups... ohhh boy, talk about slow!

Anyway, hope all is well with you... talk soon.. Mark

Yea, I understand when time is money. The turbo torch is cool. I can see the advantages of a separate head though.

I've used oxy/acetylene, MAPP/Oxy, Propane/Oxy/, Hydrogen/Oxygen, Propane and MAPP.
The Hydrogen/Oxy was used for glass blowing when purity was an issue. Sealing compounds under vacuum in quartz ampules.