I'm repiping my bathroom with new copper.

The original 1/2-inch branch lines to the sink stub-outs are soft copper and flexible, so the stop valves can be easily moved around. If I was going to replace the branches with soft copper again, I would probably need to secure them better.

But soft copper is expensive and I'm not familiar with it, so I was planning to use hard copper for the branch lines.

Since these new hard copper branch lines will be only 18 inches long, do I still need to secure them by the stub-outs with pipe straps?

Is there a rule of thumb?...if the 1/2" hard copper branch line is over X inches long, then it's recommended to secure them.

If it's best because of water hammer, etc., I'll do it, but I'd rather not since I'd have to install wood blocking in a tight spot and add a couple of 45 degree elbows to get the pipe to run along the blocking.

In center of picture: sink stub outs. In bottom of picture: horizontal supply lines running through narrow 1-5/8" metal studs.

nicholas123, look up holdrite brackets..

Hi Packy. Thanks for the recommendation.

I was leery of these brackets. I thought they were a gimmick, but now I can see their use.

I see they have a copper one you solder onto the pipe, and a galvanized one with plastic bushings that squeeze onto the pipe.

the galvanized ones are used for pex stubouts. they will work for copper tubing but i would stick with the copper coated variety.