Nicked a copper pipe - what to do?

TheGreenFrog

I had to saw through a floorboard over a joist and unfortunately nicked a copper pipe which was running over the joist.  I am not sure what to do - the pipe is on the heating circuit and by a wall so replacement wouild be a big job.  Pic attached.

 

grumpy_codger

The easiest way is to solder it, but you'll need either a very powerful electric soldering iron (possibly combined with a heat gun), or a blow torch. There are special copper patches, but for such a small hole you don't need it.
Alternatively - Compression Pipe Repair Fitting 

QrizB

TheGreenFrog said:

I had to saw through a floorboard over a joist and unfortunately nicked a copper pipe which was running over the joist.

Have you actually punctured the pipe and created a leak, or is the notch only a partial wall thickness?
I agree with the poster above that soldering is probably the simplest option, but you'll probably need to lift more floorboard to get access (and avoid setting fire to the board with your blowlamp).

TheGreenFrog

QrizB said:

TheGreenFrog said:

I had to saw through a floorboard over a joist and unfortunately nicked a copper pipe which was running over the joist.

Have you actually punctured the pipe and created a leak, or is the notch only a partial wall thickness?
I agree with the poster above that soldering is probably the simplest option, but you'll probably need to lift more floorboard to get access (and avoid setting fire to the board with your blowlamp).

It's just partial.  Lifting floorboard tricky as it goes under a partition wall and I doubt there is no room for a compression patch either.

victor2

Many years ago I tapped down a slightly raised floorboard nail, only to find it was sitting on top of a central heating pipe. Made a tiny hole in the pipe. Emergency callout plumber sorted it by soldering over the hole. Never had a problem with it in the 30 ensuing years.

Can the pipe be pushed down enough to allow it to be soldered?

QrizB

TheGreenFrog said:

It's just partial.  Lifting floorboard tricky as it goes under a partition wall and I doubt there is no room for a compression patch either.

The other pipe looks to be lower than the one you've nicked. Can you push the nicked one down to make some clearance between it an the floorboard?

Plumbing solder melts at about 230C, so a heat gun (mentioned in the first reply) is likely to be hot enough for this which will reduce your chances of setting anything on fire.

Ectophile

QrizB said:

TheGreenFrog said:

It's just partial.  Lifting floorboard tricky as it goes under a partition wall and I doubt there is no room for a compression patch either.

The other pipe looks to be lower than the one you've nicked. Can you push the nicked one down to make some clearance between it an the floorboard?

Plumbing solder melts at about 230C, so a heat gun (mentioned in the first reply) is likely to be hot enough for this which will reduce your chances of setting anything on fire.

But if the pipe is still full of water, you have no chance of heating it to 230C.

robatwork

Was anyone else slightly disappointed after reading the title?

TheGreenFrog

victor2 said:

Many years ago I tapped down a slightly raised floorboard nail, only to find it was sitting on top of a central heating pipe. Made a tiny hole in the pipe. Emergency callout plumber sorted it by soldering over the hole. Never had a problem with it in the 30 ensuing years.

Can the pipe be pushed down enough to allow it to be soldered?

yes it can - sounds like may need to drain it though.  job for plumber probs!

TheGreenFrog

robatwork said:

Was anyone else slightly disappointed after reading the title?

I toyed with the word "damaged" but preferred the clickbait title!