Step by step

1.   Installing Copper Plumbing

o        1 Shut off the water to the area where you wish to install new plumbing. Open the nearest spigots to allow water to drain.

o        2 Place a bucket under any pipes you will be cutting. Cut the pipes and allow water to drip into the bucket. Once dripping stops, wipe pipes with a clean rag.

o        3 Use sandpaper to clean copper pipe until it has a shiny finish. Clean the inside of any coupling or fitting you will be using.

o        4 Using an applicator brush flux to the inside of the coupling or fitting and the outside of the pipe. Slip the fitting on the pipe.

o        5 Heat the fitting and pipe with a propane torch. Once flux begins to spit and boil, the pipe is hot enough to apply solder.

o        6 Touch the tip of the solder against the bubbling flux, moving the solder around the pipe to seal all gaps. The solder sucks into the area between the pipe and fitting and hardens for a watertight seam.

o        7 Repeat this process to add additional pipes and fittings until you have supplied water to the desired area.

2.   Installing Plastic Plumbing

o        8 With the water off and a bucket under the pipe, cut pipes with pipe cutters or a hacksaw. Remove shavings with sandpaper or emery cloth.

o        9 Attach a coupling to begin installing new plumbing. To convert from copper, attach a copper male threaded adapter using directions with the fitting.

o        10 Wrap the threads of the male adapter with plumber's tape. Twist a plastic female threaded adapter into the male adapter, tightening first by hand, and then using a pipe wrench. Do not over tighten since this will cause the plastic threads to snap.

o        11 Using the brush provided with the primer, coat the inside of the female adapter with primer. Coat the end of a piece of plastic plumbing with primer.

o        12 Brush on a layer of plastic cement to the primed surfaces and insert the pipe end into the adapter with a quarter-turn twist. Hold for a few seconds to keep the pipe from slipping.

o        13 Add additional pipes and fittings in this manner until you have supplied the new area with water.

Tips & Warnings

·         Check local building codes for correct materials to use for plumbing.

·         Plastic plumbing comes in wide variety of styles, each with its own specific use, primer, and cement. CPVC is used to supply clean water throughout the home and is designed to withstand hot temperatures. PVC does not withstand hot temperatures and is used for drainpipes and exhaust vents.

·         If your home has PVC running clean water, replace it with CPVC or copper. Black ABS pipe is for drains and waste water. PVC and ABS should not be solvent-welded together; you must use a rubber transition coupling with integral clamps to connect the two.

·         Do not use all purpose glues or cements since these do not pass some city codes and must be replaced.

·         The directions for installing plastic plumbing can be used for PVC, CPVC, and ABS plumbing.

·         Take a piece of your existing plumbing and fittings with you when you purchase new plumbing. This ensures you have the correct sizes and proper materials.

·         Wear heat-resistant gloves when working with hot copper pipes and fittings. Be mindful of your work area to prevent igniting low hanging fixtures and wires.

·         Wear gloves and goggles when tapping into drain pipes since these contain several types of harmful bacteria.