Re-routing house plumbing after supply copper failed.
After the cold spell we’ve just had, a copper supply pipe to my kitchen sink failed.
- Repair the broken section(s) in the wall and properly insulate the space in the wall (old house circa 1969). This would require moving the stuff I’d rather not move.
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Continue the supply from the bathroom, down through the floor, across a couple of joists in an (unheated) garage then back up through the floor and the kitchen sink base cabinet. for connection to the sink. The supply would be insulated and behind drywall.
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Take the supply from the chase, feed it through the side of the cabinet(s) to the kitchen sink base directly for connection to the sink.
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Take the supply from the chase, feed it through the side of the cabinets(s) through the toekick part of the cabinet, then back up through the base of the kitchen sink for connection to the sink.
I’m also interested in which of these solutions would be besy and what plumbing material should be used (copper, cpvc, pex), how to handle the transition (the main plumbing infrastructure is copper) which would be hidden in the chase and also, whether or not there should be a need to drain the lowest part of the supply for any reason.
Replies
I'd say that based on your experience it's INeffectively in a heated area.
Use PEX, SharkBite fittings, and, perhaps, heating tape.
Consider whether it's possible to "fish" the PEX through the area where the old pipe is.
Thanks, Dan.
Barrie
I'd like to recommend according to the site conditions that you pick the absolute best way that will keep it from freezing in the future. (besides a way to drain it off when necessary). Implementing the best chance while keeping insulation between the pipe and any cold. Never insulate the pipe on the warm side.
If you were to go through the toe kick-you might consider a couple toe kick register vents (small, long and narrow air return vents). This will at least allow some room temperature to mix with the previously sealed toe kick area. There's no exposure to cold drafts from the garage or outside in that kick, is there?
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