Copper Pipe Support Question

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ash...housewares

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I need to run a pipe from my basement laundry room to my back yard for a sprinkler system. The problem I have is that I have to run the pipe a distance of about 14' through the ceiling of my basement (drywalled). If I understand correctly, you're supposed to support a copper pipe every 4 feet or so on a straight run like that. Does anyone know how I can support this pipe without tearing up the drywall? I am running parallel to the joist.

I tried to show the area I'm talking about. Unfortunately my light wasn't quite powerful enough to see clearly to the end. Can I use the existing supports or the ledge of the joist as support for my pipe?

Thanks for any help you folks can give!
-Dan

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Terry

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Copper pipe can be supported every six feet.

What ever it takes. To the side of the joist, or you can put supporting wood in there and lay on top of that. Or pick up some hangering material.
Some plumbers used to put copper pipe sideways in a space like that and then solder the pipes to that.

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ash...housewares

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If I use the ledge on the joist, does that count for support, or does it have to be attached to the joist every 6 feet? Alternatively, if I use supporting wood, does it have to be fastened to the wood somehow, or can it just rest on there?
 

Cacher_Chick

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If it's not secured in place it is going to react to any type of water hammer, causing noise. Screwing it with clamps directly to the joists will transmit the noise of the flowing water into the wood and throughout the connected framing. It might be something you can live with, or it might be something that will annoy the heck out of you every time the water is running.
Often it's best to bite the bullet and do it right the first time.
 

ash...housewares

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I think I can pull off fastening it, but in the event that I'm not able to, I won't be violating code if it's just resting on a wooden support, right?
 

Jadnashua

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Not sure about that, but you will have a code violation unless you use the proper protection of a backflow valve to the sprinklers. In some places, this has to be tested and certified as actually still working on an annual basis.
 

Terry

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They make insulating clips that will nail onto the joist, yet allow for some noise dissipation.
Or you can take foam pipe insulation and some plumbers strap, and either hang the pipe or lay it on wood.
 

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