Yeah, I’ve had similar issues with old copper. Compression joints usually seal better if the pipe’s a bit out of shape, but I’m always wary of push-fit on anything that’s seen a lot of wear. If you do go that route, double-check for any green or pitted spots—those can cause headaches down the line. Sometimes it’s just safer to cut back to good pipe, even if it means more work.
Cutting back to good pipe is definitely the way to go, even if it’s a pain. I’ve tried patching up old copper with push-fit before and it worked for a bit, but then I started getting tiny leaks around the green spots. Like you said, those pitted areas are just trouble waiting to happen.
Sometimes it’s just safer to cut back to good pipe, even if it means more work.
Couldn’t agree more. I know some folks swear by push-fit for quick fixes, but I just don’t trust it on anything that’s been sitting in a damp crawlspace for decades. Compression joints have saved me a few times when the pipe wasn’t perfect, but even then, I always end up redoing it later if I don’t just replace the bad section. It’s more hassle upfront, but at least you’re not chasing leaks every few months.
Honestly, I wish I’d just bitten the bullet and replaced more of my old lines when I had the floor up. Hindsight, right?
I hear you on the hindsight thing—every time I’ve had to rip up a floor twice, I swear I’ll never do it again. Curious, has anyone tried using PEX for these old boiler lines instead of sticking with copper? I keep reading mixed things about how it holds up with older systems, but it seems like it could be less hassle in the long run. Just not sure if it’s worth the switch or if there are downsides I’m missing.
Tried PEX when I replaced a couple of old copper lines last year—honestly, it was a lifesaver for my budget and sanity. Only thing is, I did notice the fittings can get a bit finicky if you’re not super careful. No leaks so far, but I keep checking just in case… I’ve heard some folks say it doesn’t play nice with really high temps, but mine’s been fine. If I had to do it all over again, I’d probably still go with PEX just for the flexibility alone.
I totally get what you mean about the fittings—when I did my first PEX install, I spent way too long double-checking every crimp. The flexibility is a huge plus, but I do worry a bit about how it’ll hold up over time with the boiler’s heat cycles. Some folks say to stick with copper for anything right near the boiler, just to be safe. I ended up using a short copper stub-out before switching to PEX, just in case. No leaks so far, but I’m still a little paranoid and keep an eye on it...