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dkjw424 · Oct 27, 2005, 08:35 AM

I am having an issue in refinishing my bathroom.
I have 1/2" cpvc pipes for the toilet water supply and also the hot and cold water supply for the sink in the bathroom. I need to replace the shut off valves for all three of these lines because they leak but I am considering taking these lines out back to where they meet copper and running copper instead. Where the CPVC meets the copper is just on the other side of the bathroom wall and I would only need to run about 8' of pipe for the toilet and 12' - 15' of pipe for each the hot and cold water for the sink. I have never installed copper and would like to know if this is something I could tackle or call in a plumber?

Thank you in advance for everyone's help.

Dan

speedball1 · Oct 27, 2005, 11:16 AM

Hi Dan,

First off why are you replacing three angle stops and where are they leaking from? Is it at the compression nut that connects them to the CPVC? If it is
I can save you a lot of time, money and hassle.
To convert to copper,(and I don't think you have to) you will need soldering tools and the necessary skills to use them. Working with plastic is much more "homeowner friendly" then copper. Regards, Tom

dkjw424 · Oct 27, 2005, 11:34 AM

Hey Tom,
First of all, thanks for all of your help with my previous post. It was invaluable. Second, I hope you escaped the hurricane and everything is all right. My grandparents are in Seminole and I know they made out okay.

The reason I am replacing the three valves is because they all are leaking when they are open, and they are all leaking from the stem of the handle, not from the compression nut. When I took the one valve off from the toilet I took the handle off and noticed that the stem was pushed back a bit into the valve so I pushed that back to where it should be and it still leaked after I re-installed it.

My other reason for contemplating changing these lines to copper is that I am having a hard time getting replacement valves. The way the current valve is set is the valve has an thread on the outside of where it connects to the pipe. The pipe has no thread on it and goes into the valve. There is a compression nut on the pipe which threads onto the outside thread of the valve.

Dan

speedball1 · Oct 27, 2005, 12:41 PM

Before you do all this changing around Dan, try this . RTurn thevalve off and open it on turn. Now put a crescent wrench on the bonnet packing nut,( the nut on the stem) and turn it clockwise until the leak stops. If you need to change out the angle stops click on back. Cheers, Tom

dkjw424 · Oct 27, 2005, 12:57 PM

Tom,
My apologies, I should have mentioned that the valves are CPVC as well so there is no nut to tighten around the stem.
What would the next step be?

speedball1 · Oct 27, 2005, 03:21 PM

"What would the next step be?"
Glad you asked Dan,
The next step is to saw off the old stops and glue 1/2" CPVC male adapters on the open ends Then simply purchase three 1/2 female thread to 1/4" compression angle stops and a roll of teflon tape and your back in business. Sound better then tearing out the pipes? Tom

dkjw424 · Oct 28, 2005, 06:11 AM

That does sound easier Tom.
What glue should be used for CPVC?
I have the replacement valve so I will take that with me when I get the male adapter to ensure the correct size.

Thanks,

Dan

speedball1 · Oct 28, 2005, 06:22 AM

Good morning Dan,

PVC Cement and primer should be all you need. Good luck, Tom

dkjw424 · Oct 28, 2005, 06:24 AM

Thanks Tom. I will be doing that this weekend and I will let you know how it comes out.

Thanks Again.

Dan