Blumengarten
Member
Hi Folks,
I'm a new homeowner on a DIY budget, I'm a girl and don't know much about plumbing but want to learn! A pipe to my 2nd floor bathroom sprung a leak right over the dining room. I shut off the water and replaced the shut-off valves because they didn't completely do the trick, I used compression fittings and was amazed how easy it is.
Now I have to tackle the pipes in the dining room. The compression fittings were easy to install but I've read that you shouldn't put them behind plaster. The clerk at the big box store said to use the Shark Bites, but I'm worried that the o-ring might not last for 50 years. I certainly don't want to ever have to redo the plaster, and I know my kitchen faucet wouldn't last for 50 years. I don't know how to solder but it looks easy from when I've watched my father do it (though he never taught me, and he's dead now!), and I'm ready to learn.
What would you folks recommend? I live in Pittsburgh, so we do see extremely cold temperatures here, though it hasn't recently, it has at times gone down to -40°. My house is about 60 years old with all copper pipes. What type of connections would you use in this situation?
Thanks!
Liz
I'm a new homeowner on a DIY budget, I'm a girl and don't know much about plumbing but want to learn! A pipe to my 2nd floor bathroom sprung a leak right over the dining room. I shut off the water and replaced the shut-off valves because they didn't completely do the trick, I used compression fittings and was amazed how easy it is.
Now I have to tackle the pipes in the dining room. The compression fittings were easy to install but I've read that you shouldn't put them behind plaster. The clerk at the big box store said to use the Shark Bites, but I'm worried that the o-ring might not last for 50 years. I certainly don't want to ever have to redo the plaster, and I know my kitchen faucet wouldn't last for 50 years. I don't know how to solder but it looks easy from when I've watched my father do it (though he never taught me, and he's dead now!), and I'm ready to learn.
What would you folks recommend? I live in Pittsburgh, so we do see extremely cold temperatures here, though it hasn't recently, it has at times gone down to -40°. My house is about 60 years old with all copper pipes. What type of connections would you use in this situation?
Thanks!
Liz