Easy Plumbing Guide: Master Joining Copper & Plastic Pipes

Joining copper pipe. Roger Bisby visits his favourite plumber's merchant and shows you plumbing tricks and how to join copper and plastic pipes.

Plumbing tricks and cheat sheets are something we want to bring to you more often. Please be sure to get in touch and let us know what you need help with on plumbing basics and DIY advice.

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[Vyker]

Can't believe this is free... I've just had what should be a paid for lesson on plumbing! Thank you Roger.

[weylin]

Absolutely fantastic. Your delivery of information is clear, concise, and you can tell it comes from experience. I'm currently repairing some piping in my home, and this video gives me the confidence that I am doing the job right. Thanks for your effort and time!

[katiecardenas]

Dear Sir: Thank you for the lesson on how to join pipes together. Although I may never do plumbing. You taught me an emergency life skill, in the event a plumber was not available. Also, I like the way you were patient presenting the material. Thanks again. Katie

[jjkay]

Clear, succinct, comprehensive and interesting. Just when I need it. Roger, you're brilliant!

[sg]

Thank you so much for explaining in a way the average level diy man or woman can understand.
Great video, thanks again.

[barnabywild]

We had a hidden leak behind the tiles of our electric shower - caused a hell of a lot of damage to plaster and the entire cubicle and tiling had to be ripped out to get at the leak and dry out the walls. We couldn't get a plumber interested in our comparatively small job. In the end I had to tackle everything myself - a significant amount of between floorboards re-routing of copper pipework to accommodate a standalone fully enclosed shower cubicle. Your plumbing videos gave the the knowledge and self-confidence to do a very professional looking job (certainly better than much of the original plumbing). Now I've successfully cut and rerouted mains pressure water pipes under floors with no leaks at all I'll probably never feel the need to call out a plumber again!
Many thanks.

[boblancaster]

Thank you so much. I am seventy this is my first attempt of simply putting an additional outside tap using a T piece. I know plastic is simper but compression looks sturdier. Wife not impressed with water spraying everywhere after it had been installed 5 days without a leak! . I had used brass olive instead of copper. No amount of white tape would stop the leak! Thanks to your video olive now secure on the pipe.

[daveadams]

Brilliant tip I put PTFE tape around the olives no leaks thank you for great tip also excellent video

[roycraggs]

One thing to note from experience, is that whilst plastic pipe and fittings can be a good solution when hidden away (Like you, I prefer copper if on display), if there is a chance of rats or mice, keep to copper and brass.
I have retrieved Speedfit fittings in lofts chewed almost all the way through by vermin.
I keep one chewed up fitting as an example to show customers.
Good, concise video. I have used compressions on plastic for years. Easier to take apart and reseat if modifying pipe work, and always reseat with a fresh wind of PTFE.

[aerialrescuesolutions]

Excellent. Great bits of detail right there, I just love watching folks who know there trade, talk about all the
do's and won't work well tricks. Rodger is a true professional at this. Thank you again. Jim

[jackdavies]

This is why this guy is great . He’s actually showing you how to do it and how sometimes it’s a nightmare but there’s always a way fair play mate

[Griddy]

Hi Roger, first class info & 100% well deliverd thank you. I have not plumbed for a long time & since time, last plastic has come into its own so needed all the detail explained to undertake amn installation job at home. I now have the correct info & confidence to deal with the joints required. Thank You... I have watched a number of your videos & they are so valuable, good work.

[rajivvash]

i'm not a plumber and I probably watched this video half a dozen times over the years. I still get skill-fully reminded on the techniques... brilliant Video

[EifDan]

Some great advice here. One of the best videos out there for basic plumbing. I was about to go buy new compression fitting as there was a very slow leak. This video popped up and saved myself a few quid and a long drive by taping around the Olive.

Thanks for sharing.

[Museketeer]

Thankyou Roger.
I've been watching and saving your videos as tutorials as I'm about to renovate and refit my bathroom.
This will be the first time I've attempted a bathroom and I'm looking forward to the challenge.
I gutted and refitted/plumbed a kitchen at my last property and it was very satisfying success.
Now, armed with many hours of book research and top tips from the informative user friendly videos you offer, I'm geared up to go.

[jeffmelton]

Great job of explaining where to the pipe tape to prevent leaks. Great video for learning how to join pipes properly.

[pacman]

I read a book about PTF tape I found it hard to read as I could not find the beginning.

[mathsangler]

Re the liners/inserts for plastic pipe, I find it helpful to make a permanent marker mark on the pipe, near the joint, to record the fact that I've used an insert.

[andrewharwin]

Fantastic many thanks, all of the videos are really clear and understandable. I’ve learned more about pipe fittings in 10 mins than I have in my whole life

[ukusagent]

Hi Roger, Being an Ex English Apprentice served Plumber pipefitter, Now in the USA I do like the subtle differences Over here now its nearly all Pex, but its joined with internal ribbed fitting and a compression copper ring holding it on the outside, Its easy to use and 2 guys can plumb a 3 bath Kitchen wash room house in under a day, They don't even teach Copper and black iron pipe much anymore, ( possibly like being in collage in the early 80's they taught us lead burning flashing making) . Being bought up on copper pipe and iron pipe I find that when ever a job requires these I come into My element and can smoke the young guns lol . Great Channel great information True craftsman ( I was a Railway Apprentice Plumber pipefitter so leaned a bit of everything )