I get the “peace of mind” angle, but my wallet’s always screaming at me to patch first, replace later.
In theory, sure, but if the valve’s not leaking and you’re just opening the wall for something else, sometimes I think it’s fine to let sleeping pipes lie. I’ve had “original” stuff last decades with just a little TLC. Maybe I’m tempting fate, but hey, that’s what shop vacs are for, right?“you only want to patch drywall once, right?”
I hear you—sometimes it feels like the only thing getting replaced is my patience. Honestly, if the valve’s not leaking and the pipe isn’t showing signs of corrosion or pitting, I’m with you: why mess with a good thing? I’ve seen 60-year-old copper that looks better than some of the new stuff. That said, I do a quick check for green spots or crusty bits just in case. If it passes the sniff test, I patch and move on. Shop vacs are a lifesaver when things go sideways, anyway...
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from. If the pipes aren’t leaking and there’s no obvious corrosion, it feels wasteful to just rip them out. I’m all for making things last, especially with copper—some of the old stuff is way sturdier than what’s on shelves now.
“I’ve seen 60-year-old copper that looks better than some of the new stuff.”
Totally agree. I do wonder sometimes if we’re too quick to replace things just because they’re “old.” Seems like a lot of unnecessary waste, especially when the materials are still solid. I’m always checking for green spots or weird smells, but if it’s just cosmetic, I leave it alone.
Shop vacs are a must, though. Had one save my kitchen floor last year when a joint finally gave out. Still, I’d rather patch than replace if it means less junk in the landfill. Sometimes the old ways really are better.
I get the hesitation about ripping out old copper just because it’s been around a while. In my experience, some of the older stuff is way thicker than what you get now—like, you can actually feel the difference if you cut a section out. But here’s the thing: I’ve had a couple of surprises over the years where pipes looked fine on the outside, but inside they were starting to pit or get that weird buildup. Ever had one burst behind a wall? That’s a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
I’m with you on patching when it makes sense, but I always wonder if I’m just kicking the can down the road. Is it better to wait for a failure, or bite the bullet and do a full swap when you’re already opening up walls for something else? I guess it comes down to how much risk you’re willing to take. I’ll admit, I’ve gambled and lost a few times... but sometimes you just don’t know until it’s too late.
I always wonder if I’m just kicking the can down the road. Is it better to wait for a failure, or bite the bullet and do a full swap when you’re already opening up walls for something else?
I wrestled with this exact thing when we did our bathroom reno. Ended up swapping the old copper since the walls were open anyway—figured I’d rather deal with it now than risk a hidden leak later. It hurt the wallet, but honestly, sleeping easier is worth it for me.
