Question:
Cutting copper pipe, plumbing no room to work?
Hello,I‘m trying to cut copper piping only there is not enough room for the pipe cutter to make a full circle due to wall studs. This is in the wall behind the shower, I had to cut in the backside. Can copper pipe be cut with a jigsaw or hacksaw? If so, wat type of blade can be used? We have no running water and the wife is about to hang me. Got to get this pipe cut. Thanks!
Answer:
Is it a pipe or is it a joint that is leaking ? It makes a difference, if it is a joint then just replace the fitting. If is the pipe that could be another story. The pipe could have corroded either from the inside or outside, thought it is highly unlikely. If it is a corroded pipe other areas could also be corroded and leak at another time and only time will tell. Either way fix the leak. It is the right thing to do.
Is it a pipe or is it a joint that is leaking ? It makes a difference, if it is a joint then just replace the fitting. If is the pipe that could be another story. The pipe could have corroded either from the inside or outside, thought it is highly unlikely. If it is a corroded pipe other areas could also be corroded and leak at another time and only time will tell. Either way fix the leak. It is the right thing to do.
It may be that he sees evidence of poor soldering technique (sometimes a home-owner will try to save some shekels), in which case, he's correct - any stress on a fitting may cause others to leak. That's how it was a my house when I bought it. It was a crappy job, the previous owner did not know how to solder copper (but didn't let that stop him) and I had to re-do the entire mess. I knew this going in. However, you should address the situation. Get a few plumbers over for an estimate and you'll probably start to get a handle on it. Note that the first plumber should have tried to make the situation more clear to you (ie tell you why that was the case).
if the pipe is right up against a wall you will have to use a mini hacksaw make sure you use a fine metal blade and hold the pipe still while you cut it (so you dont break any joints) also make sure its a clean cut if its not you may have problems getting the coupler on the cut end good luck
It may be that he sees evidence of poor soldering technique (sometimes a home-owner will try to save some shekels), in which case, he's correct - any stress on a fitting may cause others to leak. That's how it was a my house when I bought it. It was a crappy job, the previous owner did not know how to solder copper (but didn't let that stop him) and I had to re-do the entire mess. I knew this going in. However, you should address the situation. Get a few plumbers over for an estimate and you'll probably start to get a handle on it. Note that the first plumber should have tried to make the situation more clear to you (ie tell you why that was the case).
if the pipe is right up against a wall you will have to use a mini hacksaw make sure you use a fine metal blade and hold the pipe still while you cut it (so you dont break any joints) also make sure its a clean cut if its not you may have problems getting the coupler on the cut end good luck
Get yourself a mini tubing cutter but if that dosent work I would remove a section of the 2x4 stud to get access befote I tried a hacksaw because a hacksaw will distort the copper and you will have a greater mess on your hands because when the pipe is distorted then nothing will fit it.there are different compression fittings that will or may help you as well
A mini pipe cutter may fit or you can use a mini hacksaw with a fine blade or jig saw will work too with a fine blade.
Get yourself a mini tubing cutter but if that dosent work I would remove a section of the 2x4 stud to get access befote I tried a hacksaw because a hacksaw will distort the copper and you will have a greater mess on your hands because when the pipe is distorted then nothing will fit it.there are different compression fittings that will or may help you as well
A mini pipe cutter may fit or you can use a mini hacksaw with a fine blade or jig saw will work too with a fine blade.
