Bent soft copper pipe

slkarns · 05-02-2012, 09:59 PM

Hi all,

Tonight I finished running 1/2" soft copper pipe through the floor of a 2nd floor bathroom remodel. I used soft pipe to get around the new shower drain. I used a spring-type pipe bender to bend the pipes 90 degrees to go up through the wall where the shower fixtures will be, and soldered my shut-off valves on.

One of the pipes (the hot) needed a slightly sharper angle where it went from running horizontal to vertical up through the wall. I bent it by hand. While I wouldn't exactly say it "kinked," (there are no sharp angles), it bent enough that it deformed the pipe slightly. Instead of being round, the pipe is now more of an oval shape where the bend is. I turned the water back on and all the joints/valves held without leaks.

My question is, will the pipe that's slightly deformed pose a problem in the future? Will it weaken over time, and eventually rupture, or is it one of those things where if it's okay now, there shouldn't be a problem?

Thanks!

Javiles · 05-02-2012, 10:07 PM

I personally never took a chance if my guys kinked a line when we roughed in a home, if it kinked I had them start the loop again with a clean piece. That being said in 35 years I have never repaired a leaking copper pipe that leaked at a kink..

ben's plumbing · 05-02-2012, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slkarns

Hi all,

Tonight I finished running 1/2" soft copper pipe through the floor of a 2nd floor bathroom remodel. I used soft pipe to get around the new shower drain. I used a spring-type pipe bender to bend the pipes 90 degrees to go up through the wall where the shower fixtures will be, and soldered my shut-off valves on.

One of the pipes (the hot) needed a slightly sharper angle where it went from running horizontal to vertical up through the wall. I bent it by hand. While I wouldn't exactly say it "kinked," (there are no sharp angles), it bent enough that it deformed the pipe slightly. Instead of being round, the pipe is now more of an oval shape where the bend is. I turned the water back on and all the joints/valves held without leaks.

My question is, will the pipe that's slightly deformed pose a problem in the future? Will it weaken over time, and eventually rupture, or is it one of those things where if it's okay now, there shouldn't be a problem?

Thanks!

It should be ok.....is the pressure ok through it...

sanec1 · 05-05-2012, 12:00 AM

Doesn't sound kinked, just ovalled (on your way to a kink). No worries except don't mishandle it now and make it worse.