Small nick in hot water pipe

[Rikki]

While using a reciprocating saw to remove an old fiberglass shower stall, the hot water pipe (copper) that feeds to the shower handle got nicked. It isn't leaking, however before we put the new shower stall in should we replace/repair said pipe? If we can repair or strengthen it, how would we go about doing that? If it needs to be replaced, then Terry will probably be getting a call from me in a day or so, considering we're also replacing the shower handle anyway and want to fix the inset shutoff valves without burning down our house! LOL

So, what should we do?

Thanks,
Rikki

ETA: Sorry for posting this in the general forum, I thought that I was posting in the shower/bathtub forum. :(

[master plumber mark]

one way to strentthen the pipe is to just to solder over the nick in the pipe..

just put a gob of solder on the pipe wher the nickis and that would strengthen the pipe


if you dont feel this is enough, then cut the pipe and put a coupling in wher e the nick is and solder it.

[PEW]

Rikki,

This can be a bit subjective, what you see as a nick may not be the same as someone else would see.

For piece of mind you may want to have someone experienced take a look at it, or just go ahead and replace the piece in question. You sure do not want a future problem after you have put everything back together.

It may never leak, but it would bug me forever if I did not repair it

Paul

[hj]

If you are going to replace the valve anyway, since I doubt you can just replace the handle, then replace the damaged tube also.

[captwally]

I agree with PEW. It may never leak, but if I didn't fix it the thing would bug me forever too. A dab of solder may be fine, but what I'd do is cut the entire section out and use full slip couplers to sweat the repair in. If the pipe is wet or full of water, or you are not comfortable sweating copper, go with compression fittings.