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Author:
costgeek (VA)
Hello everyone. I'd like to remove a 3/4" gate valve from my water main and replace with a ball valve. If the copper pipe can be re-used, I'd rather sweat it off than cut it off. Any tips on doing this correctly? Is it as simple as putting the flame on it and applying pressure until the seal breaks?
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Author:
hj (AZ)
That's about it, AFTER you get the water out of the pipe.
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Author:
costgeek (VA)
That's a good point. I assume I can remove excess water by sticking a sifon in the valve hole?
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Author:
North Carolina Plumber (NC)
A shop vac or an air compressor may also be used, depending upon your exact situation. I hold the valve with a pair of channel locks and slightly twist while its heating so I'll know exactly when the solder begins to melt.
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Author:
sum (FL)
DIYer here. I am curious, how you are going to just unsweat a valve and put back a new valve, how would you remove it even if you get the solder to melt, wouldn't the rigid pieces of pipe before and after it be in the way? Unless you have a union or elbow upstream and/or downstream of the valve.
I have always cut the pipe on the downstream end, then unsolder the upstream end, and put in a new short piece with a repair coupling, the tricky solder joint is the upstream joint the joint closer to the meter if that can't be shut off completely. Once you are done the rest is simple. Also different valves have different dimensions some longer than others even if you can remove the old valve without cutting you might have to adjust for it anyhow.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
packy (MA)
if it is a gate valve, why not just leave it there and install the new valve right after it?
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