Copper pipe connection buried in concrete

..Brian..

Is it OK it bury this copper connection in concrete? The plumber said to wrap it in a black bin bag then pour away but there was another pipe connection there that was leaking and as a result I had to demolish the entire shower. Don't want to have to dig it all out again in the future!

M.T.D

Almost all the underfloor leaks I have had to repair were compression joints encased in concrete.
As you can't change where the pipes are, my preference would be to replace the compression joints and then lag/insulate the pipes so that the pipes are not in direct contact with the concrete. Gives less corrosion problems and allows the pipes some room to expand and contract with out pulling the joints apart.

BrokenArrows

Its ok to wrap them and put concrete in but as you experienced its a pain in the ass if something breaks.

If you dont need it in concrete then there is no point.

If its a shower base then you could build a frame for the shower to sit on rather than just filling the hole. So the pipes would be under the frame.

..Brian..

I had thought of building up a base around it but the end result would be too high. Also there still would be no access to the connection once the shower was fitted so I don't think it would make much difference in the end.

How do I change l the compression fittings without getting soaked?! I can turn off the mains but there'll still be a load of water in the system won't there?

Both pipes go into the hot press on the other side of that wall and both go straight up into the attic. On tees off into the bottom of the hot water cylinder though.

:edit: it's a walk in, wet room style shower I'm making so there's no basin to sit on a frame.

Right2Write

..Brian.. wrote: »

I had thought of building up a base around it but the end result would be too high. Also there still would be no access to the connection once the shower was fitted so I don't think it would make much difference in the end.

How do I change l the compression fittings without getting soaked?! I can turn off the mains but there'll still be a load of water in the system won't there?

Both pipes go into the hot press on the other side of that wall and both go straight up into the attic. On tees off into the bottom of the hot water cylinder though.

There may/ should be various stopcocks on the different water circuits but that depends on age of original installation and diligence etc. perhaps.

I think he means to replace the compression joints with solder joints, if you haven't done these before, might be easier to get a plumber or someone who has experience using them. Lagging the pipes before pouring is a sound idea as will allow a bit of movement minimising stress on the joint..

..Brian..

Those pipes would be part of the original plumbing so would be 40 years old.

I think I'll just use some pipe insulation and then wrap a bin bag around it all and crack on. I'm sick of looking at it at this stage and can't do anything else until this is done!

studdlymurphy

In the USA by building regs any in-accessible joints must be solder joints. Any compression joints must be accessible. I would solder the joints and then cover them before putting concrete on them.