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Modify Copper Water Supply Lines — Cut the Pipe

Beginner3 hours

Part of project

How to Install a Water Hammer Arrestor to Stop Banging Pipes · Step 3 of 7

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In this video

Shut off the main hot and cold water supply valves. Disconnect the old washing machine hoses to drain the remaining water into a bucket. Use a tubing cutter to cut the hot and cold copper supply lines. Remove the old washing machine valve assembly. Use a propane torch and pliers to heat the old soldered fittings until the solder melts, then pull them off. Clean the pipes and new T-fittings with a wire brush and apply flux. Solder the new T-fittings in place to create outlets for both the sink and the washer. Finally, solder in the new copper pipe extensions and the new washing machine valve assembly. Wipe all hot joints with a wet rag to clean off excess flux.

Goal: Plumbing Pipes Repair

  • Always have a bucket ready to catch residual water when disconnecting or cutting pipes.
  • Be careful when handling pipes immediately after soldering as they will be extremely hot.

Used in this video

  • Channel-Lock PliersLoosening hose connections and holding hot pipes during unsoldering.
  • Tubing CutterMaking clean cuts in the copper supply lines.
  • Screwdriver (Screwdriver_Type: Phillips)Removing the old washing machine valve from its mounting bracket.
  • Propane TorchHeating copper pipes and fittings for soldering and unsoldering.
  • BucketCatching water drained from the pipes.
  • Safety GlassesEye protection during soldering.
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FAQs

What essential tools do I need for this project, especially for cutting and preparing pipes?

You'll definitely need an AUTOCUT 1/2 in. Copper Pipe Tubing Cutter to make clean, straight cuts. Don't forget the Husky 1-5/8 in. Inner/Outer Reamer and Deburring Tool to smooth the pipe ends, which is crucial for leak-free push-to-connect fitting installation. An adjustable wrench will also be handy for general tightening tasks.

What are the most important safety precautions to take before starting this plumbing project?

Always start by completely shutting off the main water supply to your home and draining the pipes to relieve any pressure, which prevents unexpected floods. Wear appropriate eye protection and gloves when cutting pipes to protect against sharp edges and debris. Have a bucket and towels ready for any residual water.

How difficult is this project for a beginner, and what's a realistic time and cost expectation?

This project is rated 'beginner' friendly, primarily due to the use of push-to-connect fittings which significantly simplify the installation process. You can realistically expect to complete it within the estimated 3 hours. Material costs will mainly involve the water hammer arrestor and a T-fitting, likely under $50 depending on your local store.

I'm worried about leaks. What are common mistakes beginners make during installation, and how can I prevent them?

A common mistake is not fully deburring the pipe ends or not pushing the push-to-connect fittings all the way in until they seat firmly. Ensure the pipe is clean and smooth, and mark the insertion depth on the pipe to confirm it's fully seated before pushing. After restoring water, carefully check all new connections for any drips immediately.

Transcript
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All right, well, our waste invent is pretty much done. Here's our wash machine stand pipe coming right down into the double y and down the drain. Here's our drain from the utility sink going into the same double y, and we're connected back into our vent. But before we put that utility sink into place, I really want to think about doing the supply of water, too. Okay, so right above here we've got a hot and the cold supply lines. There's a shut-off valve for the hot that I'm going to turn off. It looks like there's a ball valve right above your head, so turn that 90 degrees. Okay. All right, good, so now I want to make sure there's no water in the pipe, I'll break these connections. All right, let's grab that bucket mat, would you? All right, under here, see if there's any water? Good. All right, we'll keep the bucket there because I make it a little bit of water when I cut the pipes. Okay. You know, Matt, I want to move this wash machine valve over here, so why don't you take the screwdriver and do these two large screws so we can get the ones behind. I pull the valve straight off, okay? It's a Phillips screws, yes. So now with the water out of the pipe, I can unsawt of these connections. All right, Matt, we have unsawt of those two elbows are replaced in with T's, these are all cleaned and fluxed. And here's our hot and cold going down to our utility sink. Now, this is your old wash machine valve. This has a lever that turns on and off, so you don't have pressure on the hoses when you're not using them. This is pretty old, so while I'm here, I'm going to replace that for you. I'm ready to solder this wash machine valve, but before I do, I want to protect these gaskets right here, so I'm going to remove them and then solder it. Here's the sink, Richard.

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