Copperlock?
Does this stuff hold up or is is lazy?
I have a small run of cooper pipe to a steam rad (the rest is black) If any of those joints go, think that stuff will stand up to the heat if used in a repair?
Just trying to learn what I can do myself and what I just shouldn't touch
Comments
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It is said to crack where there is movement/expansion/contraction. I don't think I'd try it on a steam pipe. For me, I don't think I'd take the chance on any copper supply piping. Waste pipe, maybe.1
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I've used it just to see all the hubbub. It's as much prep work as soldering. With out the heat. In perfect lab conditions it will probably pass its ratings.
I wouldn't trust it. Your buddies plumber has balls. My god a whole house piped in copper with polymer holding it all together. I wouldn't run to the mail box with out shutting off the main..............
Copper locks easy out in any failure is improper procedure in use. Pretty hard to prove that it was anything else.
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Never herd of it gotta look it up. What will they try next?
Is this stuff code approved?0 -
Looked it up.
Super Glue for copper tubing.
They even said you can use it on refrigeration lines!
(not all refrigerants have been tested)
They caution about using it on soft copper that may not be perfectly round.
Think I will stick to my trusty torch and Propress when forced into it
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Thing is, you can’t cut, and prep and assemble a bunch of piping, and glue like you can with solder.
You can cut, and prep a run then take it all apart. The whole run is glue, and assemble as you go. You have to give the pieces a half twist once seated. I found the glue would bite before getting pieces properly aligned.
It works, but I wouldn’t trust it for the long haul. I don’t think a professional could sleep at night with a bunch of jobs hanging over him using nothing but copper lock.0 -
Any body else notice that in the instructions for the stuff the makers recommend cleaning the fitting and the pipe? Seems to me -- about the worst plumber around -- that that's the hardest part of the job anyway...Br. Jamie, osb
Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
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I thought sharkbite was what the guys who can't solder or afford a Propress were using. I haven't heard of this stuff, I can't believe some type of glue can be used on refrigeration.0
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It s been around awhile , I knew a nearly old timer who would carry it way before pro press . He only used when he couldn’t t get main to shut off 100 % n could not sweat a joint If I remember to remove just burn it w a torch and yank it off . Guess it had it place in time Peace and good luck clammy
R.A. Calmbacher L.L.C. HVAC
NJ Master HVAC Lic.
Mahwah, NJ
Specializing in steam and hydronic heating1 -
Thread a pipe & put a fitting on it may leak but won't blow off
Weld or braze or solder even if someone does a crappy job, may leak probably won't come apart.
pro press won't come apart unless you forget to crimp it.
This stuff?? Guess it's like ABS or PVC solvent weld1 -
I actually used this stuff on a compressed air line using 100psi.
One joint failed to hold as I pressurized it and blew apart just as the VP of operations was walking beneath it. It was loud and dust was everywhere.
We created and marketed a medical polymer used in place of sutures, getting physicians to try glue over stitches wasn't easy, so he wasn't mad at me for trying it out.
I wouldn't use it as a permanent repair.0 -
Years ago I tried a similar product.
You'd think that in this modern age of chemistry there'd be goop that could do anything?0 -
I'm loving the commentary on this. All about in line with what I expected. My buddy is hard worker and always seems to be able to squeeze a lot out of a dollar but I wonder if he'll regret this as shortcut later on. He says it's to code but sounds like a risk to me. Sounds like the consensus is that is will hold....but for who knows how long.New owner of a 1920s home with steam heat north of Boston.
Just trying to learn what I can do myself and what I just shouldn't touch0 -
Yeah, except for solvent weld is just that, you're literally melting the plastic together.EBEBRATT-Ed said:Thread a pipe & put a fitting on it may leak but won't blow off
Weld or braze or solder even if someone does a crappy job, may leak probably won't come apart.
pro press won't come apart unless you forget to crimp it.
This stuff?? Guess it's like ABS or PVC solvent weld
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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I ran my project by our head polymer chemist and he explained the chemistry, saying it does work and it is old technology.Zipper13 said:I'm loving the commentary on this. All about in line with what I expected. My buddy is hard worker and always seems to be able to squeeze a lot out of a dollar but I wonder if he'll regret this as shortcut later on. He says it's to code but sounds like a risk to me. Sounds like the consensus is that is will hold....but for who knows how long.
Now that I think back, I need to back peddle a bit, the joint that failed was not assembled perfectly, not fully inserted or square. there is precious little time to assemble before it cures. In fact, it was an 1-1/4” line and impossible to redo any of the 200’. It is probably still in place! I take back my warning. It does work if you put it together correctly.
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Somehow glue for copper tubing assembly just doesn't seem right to me. But if it is? Why isn't it used more widely in the industry? Ut-Uh ! Not gonna even try.0
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It isn't used more widely for that very reason-It doesnt seem right!0
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They said the same thing about:Intplm. said:Somehow glue for copper tubing assembly just doesn't seem right to me. But if it is? Why isn't it used more widely in the industry? Ut-Uh ! Not gonna even try.
soldered copper (Water supply lines were Brass Threaded pipe at one time)
PVC
Unions instead of Flanges
PEX
Pro Press
Anything that can cut back on Labor expenses Will be embraced with open arms!
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> @pecmsg said:
> Somehow glue for copper tubing assembly just doesn't seem right to me. But if it is? Why isn't it used more widely in the industry? Ut-Uh ! Not gonna even try.
>
> They said the same thing about:
> soldered copper (Water supply lines were Brass Threaded pipe at one time)
> PVC
> Unions instead of Flanges
> PEX
> Pro Press
>
> Anything that can cut back on Labor expenses Will be embraced with open arms!
I've found no brass threaded pipe in my house.
When was that in use?Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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Our old house in Nassau Co. RVC. Everything behind the walls were Brass.ChrisJ said:> @pecmsg said:
> Somehow glue for copper tubing assembly just doesn't seem right to me. But if it is? Why isn't it used more widely in the industry? Ut-Uh ! Not gonna even try.
>
> They said the same thing about:
> soldered copper (Water supply lines were Brass Threaded pipe at one time)
> PVC
> Unions instead of Flanges
> PEX
> Pro Press
>
> Anything that can cut back on Labor expenses Will be embraced with open arms!
I've found no brass threaded pipe in my house.
When was that in use?0 -
That's a where, not a when.pecmsg said:
Our old house in Nassau Co. RVC. Everything behind the walls were Brass.ChrisJ said:> @pecmsg said:
> Somehow glue for copper tubing assembly just doesn't seem right to me. But if it is? Why isn't it used more widely in the industry? Ut-Uh ! Not gonna even try.
>
> They said the same thing about:
> soldered copper (Water supply lines were Brass Threaded pipe at one time)
> PVC
> Unions instead of Flanges
> PEX
> Pro Press
>
> Anything that can cut back on Labor expenses Will be embraced with open arms!
I've found no brass threaded pipe in my house.
When was that in use?
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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That house was built in the 20'sChrisJ said:
That's a where, not a when.pecmsg said:
Our old house in Nassau Co. RVC. Everything behind the walls were Brass.ChrisJ said:> @pecmsg said:
> Somehow glue for copper tubing assembly just doesn't seem right to me. But if it is? Why isn't it used more widely in the industry? Ut-Uh ! Not gonna even try.
>
> They said the same thing about:
> soldered copper (Water supply lines were Brass Threaded pipe at one time)
> PVC
> Unions instead of Flanges
> PEX
> Pro Press
>
> Anything that can cut back on Labor expenses Will be embraced with open arms!
I've found no brass threaded pipe in my house.
When was that in use?0 -
They sure did. But this stuff has been around for quite a while now. I haven't seen the change in the industry that we have seen with all the things that you mention above. So I must ask. Why hasn't it been accepted?pecmsg said:
They said the same thing about:Intplm. said:Somehow glue for copper tubing assembly just doesn't seem right to me. But if it is? Why isn't it used more widely in the industry? Ut-Uh ! Not gonna even try.
soldered copper (Water supply lines were Brass Threaded pipe at one time)
PVC
Unions instead of Flanges
PEX
Pro Press
Anything that can cut back on Labor expenses Will be embraced with open arms!0 -
My best Guess.............................PEX is cheaper then Copper!!!Intplm. said:
They sure did. But this stuff has been around for quite a while now. I haven't seen the change in the industry that we have seen with all the things that you mention above. So I must ask. Why hasn't it been accepted?pecmsg said:
They said the same thing about:Intplm. said:Somehow glue for copper tubing assembly just doesn't seem right to me. But if it is? Why isn't it used more widely in the industry? Ut-Uh ! Not gonna even try.
soldered copper (Water supply lines were Brass Threaded pipe at one time)
PVC
Unions instead of Flanges
PEX
Pro Press
Anything that can cut back on Labor expenses Will be embraced with open arms!2 -
Very, Very, Very few homes were piped in Brass. Those were more likely custom jobs where people had a level of wealth above the average. When indoor plumbing became the standard, lead pipe was used (even for supply lines), followed by galvanized pipe, followed by copper, followed by PVC.
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@ChrisJ I grew up in a house that was piped with brass. The house was built in the 1940's...? I changed most of it to copper as a trade school kid growing up.
Come to think of it. I remodeled the only bathroom in the house too.
I also ended changing the boiler. It was a Sears & Roebuck brand boiler serving a one pipe steam system. (I miss that system to this day) Haven't had a steam heating system since I moved away as a kid.
I guess you could say that my parents allowed me to use the house as a practice point for my trade that I was learning at the time.
No copper lock was used or has ever been used by me or anyone that I know.0 -
> @ChrisJ said:
> > @pecmsg said:
> > Somehow glue for copper tubing assembly just doesn't seem right to me. But if it is? Why isn't it used more widely in the industry? Ut-Uh ! Not gonna even try.
> >
> > They said the same thing about:
> > soldered copper (Water supply lines were Brass Threaded pipe at one time)
> > PVC
> > Unions instead of Flanges
> > PEX
> > Pro Press
> >
> > Anything that can cut back on Labor expenses Will be embraced with open arms!
>
> I've found no brass threaded pipe in my house.
> When was that in use?
Lots of pre 50's residential houses in Queens NY were piped in brass. Seen a few piped with TP(threadless pipe). TP was essentially brass without threads. Not totally sure if I am correct about the TP.0 -
Wow! @STEAM DOCTOR I have seen a lot of stuff! But threadless brass pipe? Whoa!
(learn something new every day)0 -
First time I came across TP I had no clue what it was either. Cut into pipe, thinking it was copper. Size looked a little off but what did i know then. Couldn't get any of my copper fittings to fit. Mind you this was late on December 24th and customer had no water. Found a supply place that was open(there is a 24/7/365 place in Brooklyn). Was fortunate that they carried TP adaptors .0
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Most of my house was galvanized by the time I got it, but I did find a bunch of what I think was lead pipe laying in a pile under the stairs. No idea how old it was or when it was from. 3/4"-ish. The house had city water added in 1881.Fred said:Very, Very, Very few homes were piped in Brass. Those were more likely custom jobs where people had a level of wealth above the average. When indoor plumbing became the standard, lead pipe was used (even for supply lines), followed by galvanized pipe, followed by copper, followed by PVC.
Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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I haven’t really found the why brass would be a chosen material, or correlate it to a region/circa.
Seems not to be out of the ordinary.
https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Brass_Water_Pipe_Guide.php0 -
Remember also those material were not extremely expensive in that time frame. Seems odd to have been used during WW II era with rationing of certain valued materials.0
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I've found a few houses in the older sections of the Hudson Valley that were piped in threaded brass. If you encounter any, remember to always use two pipe wrenches on it. It's very brittle and easy to break.0
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> @SuperTech said:
> I've found a few houses in the older sections of the Hudson Valley that were piped in threaded brass. If you encounter any, remember to always use two pipe wrenches on it. It's very brittle and easy to break.
Probably because it's brass... Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.
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My father the house piped from the foundation to the second floor in 1” bronze and the branches in copper. That pipe will be there forever.0
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I still run into brass water line and I’m mostly in Bergen county nj .More often I see brass over galv most of that has given up the ghost years ago ,one of my buddy has a custermer w that thin wall brass sweat the ho refuses to let him rip it out they prefer that it’s replaced as it leaks one piece at a time he s a saint . I see some places that have everything brass w galv repair and the galv repairs with copper and the some pex .I look at it and shake my head Peace and good luck clammy
R.A. Calmbacher L.L.C. HVAC
NJ Master HVAC Lic.
Mahwah, NJ
Specializing in steam and hydronic heating0 -
Lots of lead in that old brass. Not good, especially for children.0
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Either way, I’d rather admit to sucking on a brass brass pipe
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