Old copper pipe larger?

Cut off some old copper supply lines for a bathtub last night to install a new mixing valve (whole thing really) and needed to use a slip coupling. Got it on (almost past the cut) and couldn't budge it either way. Recut the pipe lower thinking it was my cut that was the problem and test fitted an elbow to see if my coupling was bad. Same thing happened.

Both the couplings and elbow go on and off of a new piece of 1/2" copper fine. I've never had this problem before.

Did they make 1/2" copper a little larger, or any idea what I can do? Guy at HD said to use a gatorbite slip coupling..... but not so sure I like that idea. There is an access panel to this plumbing and it is an unfinished basement below, but is the sharkbite worth the risk?

Is this soft or hard copper...if soft it may be distorted causing the tightness...

Ummmm..... it's normal water supply lines - residential. My guess is it's hard, I assume soft copper would be flexible lines for an ice maker......?

If that's the case it's hard.

If a slip coupling doesn't fit forget a Gatorbite or, Sharkbite fitting...
As usual smockman fails to have a clue!

It likely froze and swoll up.In such a case you normally have to cut it back to where it is its original diameter and start from there.

That's funny, throw a sharkbit at it. Sharkbites what you need. Use a sharkbite. Sounds like someones found their answer to all plumbing problems.

Seems to be his best answer lately....
Sharkbite it!



I did use 2 of them last week!
Repiped a trailer with polybutylene and used 2 on it.

solutions

I'll bet with PEX and Sharkbites, we could even solves global warming. They seem to be the solution for all the rest of the problems.

hj said:

I'll bet with PEX and Sharkbites, we could even solves global warming. They seem to be the solution for all the rest of the problems.

Click to expand...

That and throw in a tankless water heater!