Does a copper pipe system have a limited shelf life?

[george75]

It’s hard to judge from the pictures you’ve shown - my first instinct would be that I wouldn’t replace if that were a representation of the whole installation. I’d clean off the green stains to ensure it wasnt penetrating the joint (flux has a habit of that.)

And then it’s the visual inspection which - if it looked sound - plays an important role.

Gut instinct - no... i wouldnt be ripping it all out and starting again. It looks fairly clean and in ‘not bad’ condition. But if you’re in any doubt then get a couple of guys round to ask their opinion. Never hurts to chuck someone a few quid for an on-site inspection.

Others may disagree - its a personal call i guess.

Unbiased advice is helpful

 

[Combicert]

The thing is that on a forum you get a type of advice that's totally unbiased! You can't get that from a plumber who is looking at the job, they've got a vested interest to earn as much from the job as they can like anybody. It's the same story when someone who doesn't know much about cars goes to an unknown garage.

I've got in on good authority that one of the fast service outfits I think quick-fit on a training course they actually teach the sales staff to spray WD40 to make it look like something needs replacing when it doesn't. I've been told that main dealers all the time charge for replacement kit that doesn't need it so it seems it's the way of the world which is why I'm here to get unbiased advice which is priceless

I've already had several plumbers say it would be good to replace the entire thing, I know one of them was a jobpadder because I roughly know how long plumbing jobs take and he was miles out

Yeah - but the bad bit about a forum is that the person isnt actually there to have a look and can only go off what they see.

To continue the mechanic analogy - my mate’s a mechanic for the AA and he’s forever getting called by people who say ‘what’s this rattling noise...’ - ‘not a bloody clue until i see it’ is the usual response.

Chap on here the other day was asking why his boiler wouldnt fire up ... 3 or 4 people gave their opinion before he finally decided to get an engineer out. Turns out it was a blocked condense trap (which nobody had mentioned, myself included...). Yet, if we were on site it’d be one of the first things you’d check.

And thats the issue with forums isnt it... one person’s opinion is as valued as the next - until resolved.

 

[george75]

Yeah - but the bad bit about a forum is that the person isnt actually there to have a look and can only go off what they see.

To continue the mechanic analogy - my mate’s a mechanic for the AA and he’s forever getting called by people who say ‘what’s this rattling noise...’ - ‘not a bloody clue until i see it’ is the usual response.

Chap on here the other day was asking why his boiler wouldnt fire up ... 3 or 4 people gave their opinion before he finally decided to get an engineer out. Turns out it was a blocked condense trap (which nobody had mentioned, myself included...). Yet, if we were on site it’d be one of the first things you’d check.

And thats the issue with forums isnt it... one person’s opinion is as valued as the next - until resolved.

Yes I agree

 

[Combicert]

Absolutely agree 100% but there's no angle here, nobody is giving advice that effects them earning money. Not only that where could the average person find a tradesman to pop around their house and give advice even if they were offering to pay. I would gladly have paid someone to come around and inspect my pipes.

Forums and message boards are not a substitute for the real thing but they add something quite valuable and unique. I'd pay for impartial advice if it was available but it's not

Yeah - fair point. I reckon i’m an honest person when i go out... and you know you can stick and extra few quid on some jobs - but it’s that moral compass that stops you.

Just remembered a job from a while ago where i told the woman to update the pipework - it looked knackered to me. She didn’t and every time i see her she has a smile on her face and says ‘still no leaks...’ (!). Part of me is really pleased for her - but my inner self is waiting for that one day where she calls up and says ‘heeeeeelp!!’ (5 years and counting..!)

 

[dilalio]

The thing is that on a forum you get a type of advice that's totally unbiased! You can't get that from a plumber who is looking at the job, they've got a vested interest to earn as much from the job as they can like anybody. It's the same story when someone who doesn't know much about cars goes to an unknown garage.

I've got in on good authority that one of the fast service outfits I think quick-fit on a training course they actually teach the sales staff to spray WD40 to make it look like something needs replacing when it doesn't. I've been told that main dealers all the time charge for replacement kit that doesn't need it so it seems it's the way of the world which is why I'm here to get unbiased advice which is priceless

I've already had several plumbers say it would be good to replace the entire thing, I know one of them was a jobpadder because I roughly know how long plumbing jobs take and he was miles out

The trouble with Forum advice is you don't always get what you want to hear (been there myself on other subjects) and you can also get what you want to hear but is not sound advice cos the person giving it either doesn't know or couldn't give a f|_|ck!

I don't want to tell you that your pipework is fine because I don't know without seeing it in the raw, and even then, if it was OK'ish IMO but I thought you might be the sort to take a gamble ONLY if someone could be held accountable 2 years down the line, then I'd be inclined to judge you, rather than the pipework and advise you have it replaced!

That is my brutally honest response to such a question. I want my customers to always be happy with my service but also want to avoid being pestered for decisions they should have made, that turn out to be wrong with hindsight.

 

[george75]

Yes that makes sense

 

[Keithmac]

I did a lot of plumbing in our house 10+ years ago, had to do some more end of last year.

The copper pipe now is much worse quality and thickness as it was back then (I had an old offcut to compare), I'd suggest if it's not leaking leave well alone as the new stuff will probably be far worse than what you already have!.

 

[dilalio]

I do see what your saying but even if you say it looks "Ok ish" then it's kind of sensible to err on the side of caution but I see what your saying. There are situations that are more or less black and white yes replace that, or not but then there's situations where it's not so clear cut and in my opinion you should err on the side of caution and replace it. Sometimes people want advice which saves them spending money to get the job done properly or thoroughly whereas I want advice to help me avoid wasting money.

Pictures of my pipework
https://framapic.org/gallery#uQBJhD...zjlbkf1mDKa.jpg,OjkMyvkFUpvl/YInr0SlFeU4J.jpg

There's also the philosophy of "whilst you have the opportunity"!
When's the next time you will have everything exposed like this?!
It's something worth considering but as I said... Its your decision really.

 

[george75]

There's also the philosophy of "whilst you have the opportunity"!
When's the next time you will have everything exposed like this?!
It's something worth considering but as I said... Its your decision really.

Good point

 

[Hot&Cold]

copper pipe is a very resilient product,it just needs considered installation.

edit

 

[george75]

Looks unusual

 

[dilalio]

Thanks for sharing! Why are the pipes all bent in that shape? I've only ever seen pipes bent at right angles, is it acceptable to bend pipes in this way?

It's a creation of our resident Mr Bernard Green and @Old&Cold likes to have the occasional dig as Mr does like to impress upon everyone his very own brand of plumbing and heating

Copper can be bent to any angle but it's usually done with a bender and where it follows runs in parallel with other pipes, one would use 90°s; 45°s and offsets.
Other angles are used when diving down behind obstacles or "little kicks" to get under/over other pipes... Usually where a weird angle won't hurt the eye

 

[george75]

I prefer straight pipes