Pipework - Steel to Copper pipes

barrowvian

Hi,

We have bought a couple of new radiators and have moved their positions. The older ones were in odd places in the room. I have connected up pipework in the past using copper pipes, connectors and solder with no leakage problems. In this house the radiator pipes are to be made of steel. The new pipes are copper. I've read that it's not just a simple case of being able to connect these in the same way due to using dissimilar metals and that I cannot solder on to steel.

What would be the best way to connect the two pipes together? If I used a regular coupler would this be OK or would I likely get problems with this? Thank you.

andyhop

Is it stainless? Use good quality compression

If it's mild steel put a BSP thread on it and a brass adapter or you could probably get away with a philmac universal coupler UTC

You won't be able to solder

barrowvian

I'm "assuming" is could be stainless ... only by that is has what appears to be a company named followed by S.S. There's so much paint on the old pipes its difficult to tell.

brightontraveller

If steel BSP male/ female Straight Coupler to Brass Compression Fitting
, 15mm compression fitting to 1/2 inch threaded connector, Engineering physicist would say use dielectric fittings stop the electric connection slows galvanic corrosion (if its stainless steel this would be less than it would be with steel to copper)

Check what the pipe is already connected with? Sometimes its easier to remove an existing fitting and run pipe work back to that and couple it there or take the fitting to plumbers merchant and tell them what you want is probably easier than guessing what pipe is ?

Stainless steel is unusual in domestic setting even more so to be painted ?

andyhop

Stainless was used commonly in the 70s on housing schemes . We have vast areas in Edinburgh that are fully piped in SS

brightontraveller

andyhop wrote: »

Stainless was used commonly in the 70s on housing schemes . We have vast areas in Edinburgh that are fully piped in SS

Yes I'm aware of where the water is soft, and contains high levels of sediment, copper has a high propensity to failure so yes its use is/should be higher in those areas but not just the 70s alsoas it can offer better/equal fire resistance, bacteria resistance, leaching, hygiene, ease of cleaning, durability, corrosion/leakage, resistance to stain etc than some plastics/ copper so yes stainless is used quite a lot for those reason amongst others, But its unusual to paint it ?
This may enlighten some
http://www.bssa.org.uk/cms/File/BSSA%20PLUMBING%20P.1-4.pdf

andyhop

brightontraveller wrote: »

Yes I'm aware of where the water is soft, and contains high levels of sediment, copper has a high propensity to failure so yes its use is/should be higher in those areas but not just the 70s alsoas it can offer better/equal fire resistance, bacteria resistance, leaching, hygiene, ease of cleaning, durability, corrosion/leakage, resistance to stain etc than some plastics/ copper so yes stainless is used quite a lot for those reason amongst others, But its unusual to paint it ?
This may enlighten some
http://www.bssa.org.uk/cms/File/BSSA%20PLUMBING%20P.1-4.pdf

What the !!!! are you on about. Talk about all the gear nae idea

The North East of England is also covered with stainless and this is a hard water scale area. It was used due to copper shortage and cost cutting . Many councils used it on refurbished in the 80s

Pipework on surface would have been painted , he doesn't not say it's under floor so can only presume

FreeBear

andyhop wrote: »

Is it stainless? Use good quality compression

If it's mild steel put a BSP thread on it and a brass adapter or you could probably get away with a philmac universal coupler UTC

You won't be able to solder

If it is mild steel pipe, you can solder it quite easily. Even stainless steel can be soldered with the right fluxes (and solder) - http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=150

If the pipes are out of sight, a compression fitting would be preferable if the OP has any doubts about the quality of his/her solder joints.

brightontraveller

andyhop wrote: »

What the !!!! are you on about. Talk about all the gear nae idea

The North East of England is also covered with stainless and this is a hard water scale area. It was used due to copper shortage and cost cutting . Many councils used it on refurbished in the 80s

Pipework on surface would have been painted , he doesn't not say it's under floor so can only presume

All this from a guy that thinks you cant solder it?
You might want to brush up on soldering and brazing

andyhop

Aye I forgot most DIYers have a set of oxy-acetylene bottles , torch ,hoses and regulators.

Brazing isnt soldering and takes great skill . You don't learn skills like this off the internet .

The cheapest and quickest fix is a UTC or compression fitting . End off

brightontraveller

andyhop wrote: »

Aye I forgot most DIYers have a set of oxy-acetylene bottles , torch ,hoses and regulators.

Brazing isnt soldering and takes great skill . You don't learn skills like this off the internet .

The cheapest and quickest fix is a UTC or compression fitting . End off

You stated stainless cant be soldered it can and does not need oxy learn about fluxes different gases and how to solder stop talking absolute rubbish the OP asked if it can the answer is yes… Stick with your UTC it will look lovely on visible surface mounted pipework