View Full Version : Replacing a galv nipple
shag_fu
03-19-2008, 07:55 PM
I just bought a really old 2 unit building and need to do a little plumbing to get the water flowing properly. I have a galvanized nipple connecting the supply, into a gate valve, into what looks like brass 90 and nipple. I want to replace it with all 3/4 copper pref with maybe a 1/4 turn valve. What I havent seen before is the attachment at the city pipe to the nipple. How would I change that to get where i need to be. see phote:
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z185/shag_fu/DSCF3673.jpg
Mikey
03-20-2008, 05:18 AM
That's not a lead pipe, is it?
Redwood
03-20-2008, 07:07 AM
Redwood goes all in on the lead pipe!:cool:
Seriously, You want a plumber on this job! There is nothing there that touched will not lead to a bigger job!:eek:
That looks like a badly abused copper line with half a union and the union nut still on it. There is no way they could have made a proper connection where the small pipe is connected. It appears that they slid a section of smaller tubing, maybe 3/4" o.d. refrigeration tubing inside it and made some kind of handyman joint. So you should remove that half union and extend it with a coupling and full sized copper tubing.
Redwood
03-20-2008, 08:02 AM
I didn't think copper could bend that bad!
Dang Redwood scoops back his chips while the dealer isn't looking... And get tossed out of the C*a*s*i*n*o rolls across the sidewalk bruised and battered.
shag_fu
03-20-2008, 11:14 AM
I think Ill go with redwood on this one. I dont know when the last time the curb valve was touched so if it breaks if i turn it off its on me, no thanks. and who knows if Ill get it back on again.
BAPlumber
03-20-2008, 11:52 PM
That looks like a badly abused copper line with half a union and the union nut still on it. There is no way they could have made a proper connection where the small pipe is connected. It appears that they slid a section of smaller tubing, maybe 3/4" o.d. refrigeration tubing inside it and made some kind of handyman joint. So you should remove that half union and extend it with a coupling and full sized copper tubing.
I'll go with hj on this one. originally I thought lead, but I've only seen that once on a water line (Caldwell, ID). On a closer look that line is copper and looks like it's kinked before it turns up into it's adapter.
cwhyu2
03-21-2008, 08:31 AM
I thought lead at first too,zoomed in on the pic and you can see a red
tinge to it.1" type L copper?
shag_fu
03-21-2008, 02:32 PM
Nope, its lead. I cut a little with my knife came off shiny silver. The red tinge might be rust or just the overall crappiness of the basement.
Redwood
03-21-2008, 04:22 PM
Dang, Redwoods wife comes skipping out the C*a*s*i*n*o door happy as a lark... While I diverted their attention she went all in on a lead pipe cinch!:D
She takes me out to dinner...
Lakee911
03-22-2008, 08:05 PM
Nope, its lead. I cut a little with my knife came off shiny silver. The red tinge might be rust or just the overall crappiness of the basement.
That's what I thought ... then everyone convinced me it wasn't ... so ya gonna replace it? :rolleyes:
I'd be curious to see how they made up that lead to copper joint .... is it a poured lead joint or something?
shag_fu
03-23-2008, 10:13 AM
Yeah, I gotta do something. I might wait til it warms up a bit. And I get some money flowin again. Im havin a pro look at it this week to see how bad it might be. Ill try to get some pics for curious parties.
Schrammdriller
03-23-2008, 11:23 AM
All municipalities I know must change out lead service pipes at their cost. Most have a program to do so, but many are on a "complaint basis" = waiting for your call and threat to sue. Does this come from a main into your meter?
Be sure not to make a pot of coffee from that first shot of water in the morning.