Skip to main content

Cut Damaged Pipe Section — Measure and Cut Replacement Pipe

Beginner2 hours

Part of project

How to Make a Quick Pipe Repair with Push-to-Connect Fittings · Step 4 of 7

Helpful?

In this video

Using a pipe cutter, cut the copper pipe on one side of the hole left by the old valve. Then, use a marker and the new valve fitting to measure where the second cut needs to be made. Make the second cut with the pipe cutter to completely remove the damaged section of the pipe, leaving a gap for the new T-stop valve.

Goal: Remove the section of pipe punctured by the old valve

Used in this video

  • Pipe Cutter (Tool Type: Plumbing Tools, Pipe Cutter Type: Manual pipe cutter)To make clean, straight cuts on the copper pipe.
  • Marker (brand: Milwaukee, Tool Type: Measuring Tools)To mark the pipe for accurate cutting.
57.1K views44710 minutes
Home Repair Tutor

671K subscribers

View Channel

FAQs

Do I need special tools like a tubing cutter and reamer, or can I use basic tools I already own for this repair?

Yes, a dedicated tubing cutter and a deburring tool are highly recommended for this project. They ensure clean, straight cuts and smooth pipe ends, which are crucial for a leak-proof seal with push-to-connect fittings. Using incorrect tools can damage the pipe or compromise the fitting's integrity.

What's the most critical safety step I need to take before starting any plumbing repair, especially this one?

The absolute most critical step is to completely shut off the main water supply to your home or the affected area and drain the pipes thoroughly. This prevents accidental flooding and ensures you can work safely without water pressure. Always double-check by opening a nearby faucet to confirm no water is flowing.

Is the 2-hour estimated time realistic for a beginner, and what might make the project take longer?

For a beginner, 2 hours is a realistic estimate if you have all your tools and materials ready and the damaged section is easily accessible. The project might take longer if you encounter unexpected pipe types, struggle to make straight cuts, or need extra time to locate and operate your home's main water shut-off valve.

What are the most common mistakes beginners make when installing push-to-connect fittings, and how can I avoid leaks?

Common mistakes include not properly deburring pipe ends, failing to mark the correct insertion depth, and not pushing the pipe fully into the fitting. To avoid leaks, ensure all pipe ends are smooth, mark the recommended insertion depth from the fitting's instructions, and apply firm, even pressure until the pipe is fully seated.

Transcript
Hide

I'm right here where I'm putting my finger, that's where the hole was. I want to cut a piece of pipe out and just make sure that I'm going to be ending up cutting out that piece of pipe where that little hole was. Just get yourself a pipe cutter, snug it up along the pipe, turn it around and keep tightening it up and you'll be able to cut through the pipe no problem. You'll see as I get near the end of the cut more water is going to start coming out to get my bucket positioned and then finish spinning this thing around to complete the cut. Now I'll drain the rest of the water out. This is the valve that I'm going to be putting in. It's a shark bite valve with a quarter inch compression quarter turn valve and you can see in there you get a much bigger flow because you have a full quarter of an inch to get through instead of what we had before. Now I'm going to take my handy dandy shark bite tool and put it on the pipe. This also has a depth gauge on it and it'll show you how far on to the pipe the valve has to go to ensure you're fully seated. Now I'm just going to take my new valve, hold it up against where it needs to go, mark the depth on one end and then mark where I need to cut the other piece of pipe. So I make sure I'm getting rid of that little pinhole and I have enough space to get the valve in there. Now I'll just have to cut the rest of the pipe.

Auto-generated transcript. May contain errors.