Thread: Copper pipes in concrete?

I think some one is pulling your chain..

Al

The only concern I would have is to make sure that the pipe can't move or rattle after it has been cemented in place.

I have had to jackhammer some of the concrete out of my folks place to fix some leaks that was soaking up through the carpet. One section of pipe was rubbing on a stone in the concrete, cause the concrete hadn't been vibrated and there were a lot of airgaps around the pipe

Originally Posted by Smiley Guy

Somebody told me that cement can sometimes eat into copper pipes (for hot & cold water). They also said there is a special tape you can get to put around them to protect the pipes. Is this correct? Can I just use plain plastic sheet? I am chasing some pipes into a brick wall where they will eventually be cemented into place.

Rest assured that eventually the copper WILL corrode if encased in concrete, the last time I dug out pipes chased in brickwork was in my daughter's unit, and it took 21 years for the shower combination to spring a leak.

DON'T listen to the bricky!

Normal plastic packaging tape is fine, but it's easier just to use lagged pipe (the stuff with the plastic insulation round the outside).

I don't allow cast-in pipes on any of my jobs UNLESS it's in conduit and can be replaced WHEN it springs a leak. This isn't always possible in situations like yours, so go for it!

cheers,

P

Largely what Midge said. Copper pipes direct into concrete = leaks in a few years, ruined carpets etc. & a PITA to replace.

The 'old' way to fix this was to make a trench in the concrete & lay the pipe in sand, cover it with sand & then cap with cement - builders were just laying the pipe (and 240 volt cables) bare in the floor & walls, tied to the reo, and pouring over the top.

I've seen a lot of copper pipe with what looks like green plastic water hose covering it - I think that is the 'special tape' that has been mentioned to you that will somehow stop the pipes from leaking.

Hi Smiley Guy

I had a natural gas pipe that was in concrete and where it came out of the concrete it corroded and I had one big gas leak

I think if youse all look he is going to encase it in mortar which a whole lot different to concrete.

I assume it will be mortar as its going in a brick wall and I thought Id let Jethro off with calling it cement.

Nearly all concrete contains retarder, which is very corrosive.

Al

Thanks guys - I think I might ask at the plumbing supplies store after your advice - just in case!

I'm not exactly sure if I'm using 'mortar'. It's an existing wall in which I have already chased the channels out for the pipes. I will fill it in (after I put pipes in) with a sand cement mix ( a weak one in case I ever do have to get to the pipes!)

Is that what you are calling mortar? My title is confusing.

Originally Posted by Smiley Guy

Is that what you are calling mortar? My title is confusing.

Thats it!!

Al

Sorry Smiley and Al, I've had to open up walls where pipes and combinations had been chased and mortared in and they had corroded. Admittedly this was after 25 years or so, but it does happen. Not all of the pipes corroded (large commercial building with 8 bathrooms) but about half have needed attention so far. Of course, if you have internal brick or black walls it's a bit hard to avoid altogether, but using lagged pipe and then lagging the combinations and breeching pieces will go a long way towards avoiding problems down the track.

Mick

When you go to the plumbers supply just ask for lagged copper pipe. It has a foam type lagging around the pipe, varies in colour sometimes green colour sometimes orange colour depending on the manufacturer of the copper pipe. Copper pipe comes in two grades, hard drawn which you can't bend and soft which comes in coils which you can bend which ever way you want.

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Sorry Smiley and Al, I've had to open up walls where pipes and combinations had been chased and mortared in and they had corroded.

Mick

Mick everything up your end of the country corrodes, when I was up there some years ago I even had my nether regions starting to corrode.

Al

Originally Posted by ozwinner

...had my nether regions starting to corrode.

Al

Happens if you don't use it enough Al.

I have already cut and soldered most of the pipe (well Dad has - that's what they're there for right?) - can I buy some 'lagging? What's it called?

foam lagging.You can buy it in rolls.

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