dented soft-copper pipe in concrete slab

[Shortcut]

i dug into my concrete slab foundation, and found two soft-copper pipes running thru it. one of the pipes supply hot water, and has a visible dent in it. But it is not leaking.

i've consulted plumbers about it, but i've been getting varying answers ("fix it", "leave it alone"). for those who have run into similar issues here - what would you suggest, and what are other factors to consider? i'm basically a newb w/zero experience w/plumbing.

 

[captains]

leave it

its just a dent. replacing it would result in breaking all concrete along entire pipe
$$$$$

 

[Capt Caveman]

How big of a dent? Just a ding?

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
How big of a dent? Just a ding?

The size of the dent matters a lot (is it going to impact your water pressure?).

Fixing it could be very spendy.

 

[Shortcut]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
How big of a dent? Just a ding?

it's definitely bigger than a ding. not sure how to describe it...i'll try to post pics later.

i've been googling, and it appears turbulent water in a pipe can weaken it and cause leaks.

the pipe in question feeds hot water to the washer, so i could cap the dented line and reroute the hot water to the washer from elsewhere.

 

[DrPizza]

Definitely need pics to see how much room you have to work with.
I don't think that a repair would be that difficult; just sweat in a little piece; and if the dent is bad enough, it could give you piece of mind.

 

[Shortcut]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
Definitely need pics to see how much room you have to work with.
I don't think that a repair would be that difficult; just sweat in a little piece; and if the dent is bad enough, it could give you piece of mind.

Thanks - here's a pic of the dented pipe (with the dents in the orange boxes)

 

[Taejin]

Originally posted by: Shortcut

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
How big of a dent? Just a ding?

it's definitely bigger than a ding. not sure how to describe it...i'll try to post pics later.

i've been googling, and it appears turbulent water in a pipe can weaken it and cause leaks.

the pipe in question feeds hot water to the washer, so i could cap the dented line and reroute the hot water to the washer from elsewhere.

most water flowing through pipes in your house should be turbulent flow...

 

[Locut0s]

No plumber here but I'd go with DrPizza and say replace the dented section for piece of mind. Mind you if you don't know what you are doing get a plumber to do it for you. I'm assuming you are going to be covering this with cement again. If it breaks later in the cement, or under it, you might have a much much bigger headache on your hands.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Originally posted by: Locut0s
No plumber here but I'd go with DrPizza and say replace the dented section for piece of mind. Mind you if you don't know what you are doing get a plumber to do it for you. I'm assuming you are going to be covering this with cement again. If it breaks later in the cement, or under it, you might have a much much bigger headache on your hands.

AM a plumber, and agree wholeheartedly! Would advise you shroud the pipe after repair. Also, don't let the torch heat the concrete to much, or you will find out, as I did many years ago, concrete can explode.

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz

Originally posted by: Locut0s
No plumber here but I'd go with DrPizza and say replace the dented section for piece of mind. Mind you if you don't know what you are doing get a plumber to do it for you. I'm assuming you are going to be covering this with cement again. If it breaks later in the cement, or under it, you might have a much much bigger headache on your hands.

AM a plumber, and agree wholeheartedly! Would advise you shroud the pipe after repair. Also, don't let the torch heat the concrete to much, or you will find out, as I did many years ago, concrete can explode.

<Norm Abram> Remember... there's no more important safety rule than to wear these.. (tap tap)... safety glasses. </Norm Abram>

 

[Shortcut]

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz

Originally posted by: Locut0s
No plumber here but I'd go with DrPizza and say replace the dented section for piece of mind. Mind you if you don't know what you are doing get a plumber to do it for you. I'm assuming you are going to be covering this with cement again. If it breaks later in the cement, or under it, you might have a much much bigger headache on your hands.

AM a plumber, and agree wholeheartedly! Would advise you shroud the pipe after repair. Also, don't let the torch heat the concrete to much, or you will find out, as I did many years ago, concrete can explode.

Yeah, those dents look huge in the pic...I'm leaning towarsd getting that section of the pipe replaced.

I'm a newb at shrouding, too. What's a good way to shroud the pipe (e.g. foam wrap, put a plastic tube around the pipe, etc)?

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: Shortcut

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz

Originally posted by: Locut0s
No plumber here but I'd go with DrPizza and say replace the dented section for piece of mind. Mind you if you don't know what you are doing get a plumber to do it for you. I'm assuming you are going to be covering this with cement again. If it breaks later in the cement, or under it, you might have a much much bigger headache on your hands.

AM a plumber, and agree wholeheartedly! Would advise you shroud the pipe after repair. Also, don't let the torch heat the concrete to much, or you will find out, as I did many years ago, concrete can explode.

Yeah, those dents look huge in the pic...I'm leaning towarsd getting that section of the pipe replaced.

I'm a newb at shrouding, too. What's a good way to shroud the pipe (e.g. foam wrap, put a plastic tube around the pipe, etc)?

sand/dirt...anything but concrete

 

[Throckmorton]

Wouldn't it make more sense to REPLACE IT outside of the concrete slab, than to destroy your entire house just to fix one damn pipe?

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: Shortcut

Originally posted by: runzwithsizorz

Originally posted by: Locut0s
No plumber here but I'd go with DrPizza and say replace the dented section for piece of mind. Mind you if you don't know what you are doing get a plumber to do it for you. I'm assuming you are going to be covering this with cement again. If it breaks later in the cement, or under it, you might have a much much bigger headache on your hands.

AM a plumber, and agree wholeheartedly! Would advise you shroud the pipe after repair. Also, don't let the torch heat the concrete to much, or you will find out, as I did many years ago, concrete can explode.

Yeah, those dents look huge in the pic...I'm leaning towarsd getting that section of the pipe replaced.

I'm a newb at shrouding, too. What's a good way to shroud the pipe (e.g. foam wrap, put a plastic tube around the pipe, etc)?

10 mil pvc pipe wrap, exactly as on the 3rd pipe in your photo.

Available at plumbing, hardware and home improvement stores.