Re-route copper (water) pipes close to wall

[chronicsys]

Greetings All,

I would like to re-route my water pipes so they are closer to the wall to save space. (Dont worry I will add a wooden spacer in case the wall ever needs replastering, etc.). I am no expert but can handle most DIY jobs. Problems I have identified: I am a little worried about soldering when there is still water in the pipe (despite my tanks being emptied and mains cut off). I cannot cut the pipe in the bend as i dont think any sleeve will sit comfortably over bent tube - must be straight. I cannot cut the pipe before the bend as its too close to the wall to get to with pipe cutter.

Pictures attached. Any advice extremely gratefully received! Thanks in advance.

 

[easyt]

No pictures yet.

 

[chronicsys]

not sure whats going on. uploaded them to my server and attached links. maybe some judicious CTRL+F5 is needed to kick your browser into action. I can see them! have inline attached as well to be safe. thanks easyt for pointing out problem!

 

[shneld]

use a wet vac to remove water or poke some rag down to soak water up.

 

[dontknowitall]

If too tricky, can you get a compression coupler into the wall and fit new pipework with new elbow from there? Another possibility is to ask a plumber out - could probably be done within an hour so shouldn't cost the earth.

If you explained the job first and said it's probably 1/2 hour to hour's work with a small amount of 15mm pipe and a few end feed fittings, he'd probably do it on his first visit which would make it cheaper for you.

 

[chronicsys]

thank you so much @shneld and @dontknowitall for the replies. the pipes start right up against the wall (literally touching) so i cannot get a coupler on to the pipe without knocking a little breezeblock out (which i am happy to do).

how does one cut pipes so close to the wall? with a hacksaw and the patience of a saint?

 

[dontknowitall]

Can't you unscrew the clips then pull the pipes out a little? They're stronger than you think!

 

[chronicsys]

i'll give it a go thanks. will do this w/e and post results :]

 

[easyt]

Had to do the same thing with 3/4 inch pipe. I undid the clips and tapped a piece of 50x25mm plane timber behind and just manage to get a pipe slice onto it. Had to buy a 21mm slice rather than 22mm as imperial.

 

[dontknowitall]

Had to buy a 21mm slice rather than 22mm as imperial.

Are you pulling our legs?

I've never had any difficulty cutting imperial with my cutters. Just a few more turns than normal.

 

[Gray0689]

Are you pulling our legs?

I've never had any difficulty cutting imperial with my cutters. Just a few more turns than normal.

Me neither didn't even know there was a 21mm pipe slice
Ifits that bad use a hacksaw

 

[easyt]

Well as all my work is at home (diy). and I can easily use my adjustable pipe cutter for new pipes if needed, the only time I need to cut 22mm pipe is rare new stuff for the existing stuff where access might be tight is imperial and, being over 46 year old is a damned site thicker wall than the new pipe; it made sense to get a 21mm rather than 22mm.

 

[easyt]

Some of the old 3/4 pipes I had to cut I would not have had a hope of using a hacksaw. I sent off for the 21mm on the net. Good make, forget it but well known, £11.50 inc posting and saved me a lot of heartache.

 

[helpsy]

Should've bought an adjustable pipe cutter!!!!

 

[easyt]

Got adjustable cutter.

 

[Gray0689]

Some of the old 3/4 pipes I had to cut I would not have had a hope of using a hacksaw. I sent off for the 21mm on the net. Good make, forget it but well known, £11.50 inc posting and saved me a lot of heartache.

Never saw a pipe a hacksaw can't cut lol

 

[easyt]

What about one horizontal 15mm from wall, 15mm from floor screed floor with a with a parallel pipe fixed 20mm above it ? Where do you stick your saw then

 

[Gray0689]

What about one horizontal 15mm from wall, 15mm from floor screed floor with a with a parallel pipe fixed 20mm above it ? Where do you stick your saw then

I'd use a pipe slice mate lol

 

[helpsy]

Fein multimaster is very handy in tight situations.Good bit of kit.

 

[chronicsys]

Can't you unscrew the clips then pull the pipes out a little? They're stronger than you think!

thank you. all done. cant solder wont solder so resorted to compression.

was able to just pull the pipes out enough to get a cutter round them.

bought a kopex tube cutter just for this one job - going spare ! first person to PM me with email gets a free cutter! (Kopex Pipeslice Automatic Copper Tube Cutter 15mm - Transtools). thread participants get first choice obviously!

 

[plumbster3456]

wow chill out everyone dont get worked up over how to cut a pipe.
I think you guys need to get out more why is this even a thread

 

[chronicsys]

wow chill out everyone dont get worked up over how to cut a pipe.
I think you guys need to get out more why is this even a thread

did u read the thread? pipes so close to wall i did not know how to go about re-routing .... and got lots of useful tips ... enough to tackle the job with confidence (which i lacked along with any real plumbing skillz!)

case closed me thinks

 

[easyt]

Well said Chronicsys. If you can foresee the problems and the solutions before you start the job becomes less daunting. Result