Copper water supply line

[Cscjjd]

Hello,

I will be replacing part of my home's underground water supply line and I have a few questions...
1. Will I be able to sweat a new fitting onto the 3/4" copper going into the home using a propane torch (to replace the compression coupling in the photo below) ? I am wondering if the soil will be such a heat sink that I will not be able to heat the pipe sufficiently with a propane torch?

2. Would a brass compression fitting be a suitable option instead of a sweated fitting?

3. I would like to replace the 3 year old cutoff valve that already has corrosion issues. Would a full port PVC ball valve be OK?

Thanks!

 

[Plant.One]

have you considered sharkbite fittings?

i sure wouldnt want to use PVC valve like that underground.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Cscjjd]

have you considered sharkbite fittings?

If I understand correctly, SharkBite fittings would only be OK if I decide to use PEX for the replacement pipe?

i sure wouldnt want to use PVC valve like that underground.

Could you please expand on this - what is the drawback to this type of valve?

Thanks!

 

[John Gayewski]

You can't solder underground copper. Not because it won't solder, it's because a solder joint isnt a weld or mechanical joint. Brazing is a type of weld.

You need tio flare it and use flare fittings. These are a bit specialized. Call a plumber to get you up out of the ground.

 

[Cscjjd]

I am not sure I used the correct term. This part of the supply line is under a concrete meter box which is embedded in the concrete driveway. Is this still considered underground? Thanks.

 

[John Gayewski]

I am not sure I used the correct term. This part of the supply line is under a concrete meter box which is embedded in the concrete driveway. Is this still considered underground? Thanks.
View attachment 81451

Yeah. Ground movement is why a solder joint isnt kosher.

Still need flaring tools or brazing rod and flux for dissimilar metals.

 

[Cscjjd]

Yeah. Ground movement is why a solder joint isnt kosher.

Still need flaring tools or brazing rod and flux for dissimilar metals.

OK, I understand. Thank you for your help John.

 

[Plant.One]

If I understand correctly, SharkBite fittings would only be OK if I decide to use PEX for the replacement pipe?

push to connect fittings (sharkbite is a brand name) are good for copper or pex.

Could you please expand on this - what is the drawback to this type of valve?

Thanks!

on my expierence - those valves dont age well at standard room temps. they bind up, and in general fail over time, significantly sooner than a brass valve will anyway. just install a good quarter turn valve in there.

pex with metal valve is a much more suitable replacement, and will be much simpler to install/repair due to its flexibility and your confined space you're working in IMHO

 

[Cscjjd]

Plant.one... I appreciate both of your suggestions. Thanks for your reply!

 

[Mr tee]

I wouldn't use a PVC ball valve, and I wouldn't use a brass one unless it had a stainless steel handle - the plated steel ones corrode and can fail in moist locations.

 

[John Gayewski]

Corporation Stops - Evans Supply

This field-proven Corporation Stop incorporates the performance-proven design features of the popular Ford Ball Valve.

www.evansupply.com

Made to be underground.

 

[Cscjjd]

I wouldn't use a PVC ball valve, and I wouldn't use a brass one unless it had a stainless steel handle - the plated steel ones corrode and can fail in moist locations.

Thanks Mr. tee - I think that's what happening with the valve that's in there now.

 

[Cscjjd]

Corporation Stops - Evans Supply

This field-proven Corporation Stop incorporates the performance-proven design features of the popular Ford Ball Valve.

www.evansupply.com

Made to be underground.

Thanks again John - I think that's what was in there (for forty or so years) before the present valve was put in a few years ago.