4 days ago I reused some old 15mm/half inch pipe when rerouting my CH system, the length was straight and I put a 30' bend on it. Tonight it has sprung a pinhole leak right on the bend. Is there a golden rule that old pipes can't be reused?
reusing old pipes?
- Thread starter DIYedboy
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Copper 'work hardens' - that is, the more it is worked, the harder and therefore more brittle it gets. This also applies to the age of the metal, to a lesser degree. Copper can be softened again quite easily, by heating it up to almost red heat, and quenching it in cold water...a process known as annealing. So, you can use old pipe, but its best to make allowances for its hardening qualities. John 
cheapskate
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Naughty Kev...................we must all recycle for the greater good of the environment...................and our wallets
Burnerman, the pipe hadn't been worked..........it was straight
what are you doing with your pipes! that sounds naughty
Naughty Kev...................we must all recycle for the greater good of the environment...................and our wallets
Burnerman, the pipe hadn't been worked..........it was straight
not talking to you anyway
you keep getting threads locked
Naughty Kev...................we must all recycle for the greater good of the environment...................and our wallets
Burnerman, the pipe hadn't been worked..........it was straight
If the pipe had been annealed before you put your 30 deg bend in, you would have got away with it....crystalline structure, etc
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