How to Fit Copper Pipes | Ask This Old House

In this video, Ask This Old House plumbing & heating expert Richard Tretheway shows host Kevin O’Connor several methods for making solid, watertight connections, both with solder and without.

Kevin O’Connor meets plumbing and heating expert Richard Tretheway for a primer on how to fit copper pipes. Richard shows Kevin some of the most common methods for plumbing connections, including soldered and several types of solderless connections.

Soldered Connections
In most settings, soldered connections are still the plumber’s preferred method of fitting copper pipes. By applying pipe flux and heating the joint, solder flows between the fitting and the pipe to create a watertight seal. While this is an economical method for soldering pipes, there can be issues with using torches near framing lumber, meaning some plumbing installers might opt for solderless fittings.

Pro-Set or Clamp-on Fittings
Pro-Set fittings clamp onto the copper pipe. These fittings are pre-made, and instead of solder, they have an o-ring inside. Using a special tool, the installer can squeeze the fittings onto the pipe, creating a solid structural connection with the o-ring making it watertight. These joints are fast and strong but require a special and expensive tool to crimp them in place.

Push-on Fittings
For another method of solderless connection which might be a bit more homeowner-friendly is push-on fittings. These fittings feature an o-ring and a stainless steel ring with angled teeth. Once the installer pushes these fittings onto the pipe, the teeth bite into the copper, and the o-ring seals around the pipe to create a strong, watertight connection. These fittings are also easy to remove with an inexpensive tool. The downside of these fittings is they’re expensive and don’t provide any structural strength, requiring more hangers than a traditional fitting.

Compression Fittings
Compression fittings are some of the oldest solderless connections, and they work by compressing a small brass ring between the fitting and a nut. When the installer tightens the nut, the brass ring wedges against the pipe to create a watertight connection. These fittings are more affordable than push-on or clamp-on fittings, but they can be a bit more finicky to install as the user needs to be able to turn two wrenches at once for a perfect seal.

Solder Is Here To Stay
Even with the invention of these solderless connections, Richard believes solder isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. As the most affordable form of plumbing connection, plumbers will continue to rely on solder when they need to make quick connections or when they don’t have a solderless fitting on hand.

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From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. Ask This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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How to Fit Copper Pipes | Ask This Old House

[rossb]

I want to do an internship under Richard. He is just an encyclopedia of knowledge.

[martinliehs]

I like Richard's approach here. Like most things, there are pluses and minuses to everything in life. The important thing is in knowing what the minuses are, and how to take advantage of the pluses.

[ryandiedrich]

I had to install a new hose bib and shut off. Used the quick connect shut off and it was so easy and so far so good! I actually have an ounce of cofidence now when I have to tackle a easy plumbing issue!

[brianderkacz]

Soldered copper pipe for life. Nothing beats the peace of mind a properly soldered pipe brings.

[ranckie]

The only downside to using compression fittings that employ brass ferrules is, most DIY types that are not familiar with compression fittings will most always overtighten the nut, thus crushing the ferrule, resulting in a leak. I always tell those new to compression fittings to tighten the nut just enough to hold the fitting together under water pressure and then turn the water on. At that point the fitting will most likely leak but I then tell them to continue tightening the nut until the leak stops, and then tighten about a quarter turn more. If overtightened, the ferrule will be crushed, and it will never stop leaking. The only fix then is to cut the tubing below the ferrule and start over with a new ferrule. Following this tip will result in far less frustration and fewer trips to the store to get a new ferrule (or fitting). As always, great video Rich.

[radchander]

Thanks for the honest comments. So many people rely on your expertise….

[MasterHustler]

Just saw this episode on tv. Thanks for uploading my favorite REAL TRADESMAN show for the past 40+ years.

[sanjayjelaji]

Thanks Richard. I used the push connector and it held just fine...at least for now. This is after getting an estimate of $600 to fix an external copper pipe that cracked after a rare frozen day in Atlanta.

[oldtwinsna]

Richard is chief grandmaster of copper piping systems.

[mattv]

I had air conditioning installed, and they used a press system like the one shown here to put an elbow in one of the refrigerant lines. If it's good enough for refrigerant, it's probably good enough for water.

[TommyFromMc]

Even if you don’t prefer push to connect fittings they definitely have a place in the industry. Maybe a pipe busted but its the holidays or the plumber just can’t make it out to you right away. Its a easy enough solution to solve the problem and keep everything functional until someone can come out.

[MikeNRoll]

I still carry solder fittings and a torch kit in my van, but I press whatever I can whenever I can. Being a service plumber, propress is hard to beat. Sure the fittings are expensive, but the amount of time I save is worth every penny. My press gun has paid for itself a hundred times over already.

[Coloradohomestead]

I needed to add a shutoff to a water line in the basement. I know how to solder, but wanted to try something new, so I installed a push-on type ball valve shutoff. The job was quick, and clean. Cutting the copper pipe took longer than installing the valve.

[charlesmcdonald]

What a wonder video and just what I needed to see. So interesting and thorough. You all are good.

[MariuszChr]

Finally somebody not bashing push-to-fit. Man, how refreshing.

[Silky_boi]

This is what I’ve learned and been taught and seems to work well
Solder: whenever possible,
Pro Press: whenever needed,
Sharkbite: temporary solution

[varnk]

A plumber used ProPress on the pipes leading to my water heater. Seemed like that was not a situation where they should be used, since they can't be removed when the time comes to replace the water heater. You would always have to cut the pipe rather than just torch off the fittings if they were soldered on.

[mikebelcher]

I've always used compression when dealing g with copper as a homeowner

[VangoghsDoggo]

Pex plumbing. Cheaper, doesn't freeze and if it does, it expands to 40x the diameter of the pipe. No corners, it's flexible and goes around and through everything. It's also much cheaper and truly DIY.

[brianszanyi]

I my favorite is compression second favorite is SharkBite both are great