Replacing Copper Pipes In Concrete Floor

Unfortunately as copper pipes age they are prone to wearing thin and springing leaks.

Replacing copper pipes in concrete floor. According to petrographer bernie erlin copper won t corrode in concrete unless soluble chlorides are. Replacing galvanized drain waste and vent pipe with copper costs 13 to 15 per linear foot. To repair a copper pipe you must cut the damaged section. Finished flooring is removed to expose the concrete slab with ceramic tile being the exception.

Before beginning the repairs on a section of pipe beneath a concrete slab consideration should be given to re piping rather than using a temporary fix. Copper was the plumbing pipe of choice from the 1950s until 2000 and was widely used both in new construction and to replace the galvanized steel water supply pipes that had been the standard into the 1950s. Copper is naturally resistant to. Should you decide to repair the copper pipe rather than replace it s a fairly easy procedure.

While copper is a safe material to use for potable water pipes once the pipes start to corrode it can affect the quality of the water. The cost to repipe a house with copper pipe is between 8 000 and 16 000 or about 3 to 8 per linear foot. Opening a slab creates a lot of dust. I ve also been told to wrap protruding copper pipes with tar paper before embedding them in concrete.

At one time replacing water supply pipes usually meant installing new copper pipes joined with sweat soldered fittings that required a flame torch and considerable skill to assemble. If the copper pipes are installed directly into the soil the soil itself can cause corrosion especially if the soil contains a lot of sulfide or chloride. I ve heard that copper pipes that penetrate concrete floors and copper shower pans in contact with concrete or cement board can corrode. If you have access it may be possible to disconnect and.

Rerouting and replacing pipes. To our knowledge. Copper pipe is more expensive than pex but it has some excellent benefits. Hazards of corroded copper pipes in concrete slab.