Screw in the AC refrigerant line -HELP
Len
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
Help…
I was putting up blocking for some crown molding last night. I drove a screw into the AC (assuming the return gas) line. I’m right at the top plate of between the first floor and second. I know I will have to open the wall and the ceiling up to get at it. Haven’t done that yet.
More details: The house was built in 1996. The joists are silent floor. I’m on an outside wall. The exterior finish is stucco.
What is the best to repair this. Should I cut the copper tube and solder a new piece in? Is there a repair epoxy that will hold up to the refrigerant?
No matter what the solution is, it’s going to ruin my weekend…:-(
Thanks in advance.
Hi, I’m Len and I’m a Toolaholic…
Replies
You gotta get a pro to fix this. If you're lucky they can connect the new line to the old and snake it through, without tearing up too much stuff.
open the wall and they will braze the hole shut
Thanks.
I came to that conclusion about hiring a pro just after I posted.
I wasn't aware that you had to braze not solder the tube. It's to have a little more knowledgable about how the repair should be done.
Hi, I'm Len and I'm a Toolaholic...
Line has to be SILVER soldered. Had siding guy put nail thru line ,A/C guys fault,too close to exterior, he "silver soldered" it
well the good news is if a screw went through it it should be easy to see from below!all you need to do is open up the clg about 12"x12" find the pinhole and use silver solder and a propane torch with butane? anyway the hotter stuff than propane. clean the spot a little, heat it up until solder melts and you will have it. rent a vacum pump and pull a vac on it till you get 28lbs of vac and shut the gauges off and let it sit. it should hold vacum overnight if you got it soldered good. the it's ready to charge.or hire a pro it shouldn't be to bad if you already have the clg open. larry
MAPP gas"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
Hopefully I haven't damaged it to much.
Thanks to all for the advice. Looks like I'll be cutting drywall this weekend.
Hi, I'm Len and I'm a Toolaholic...
mapp gas, thats it, i had a brain fart and couldn't come up with the name. as i get older those happen more often! larry
All,
I opened the wall and found the hole. A #8 screw is easy to see. My friend, an HVAC installer, came by and welded the hole shut and recharged the system. Bless him.
Spent the rest of the weekend finding all the studs in the walls.
One thing I did do right. I didn't remove the screw from the pipe. If I had there would have been oil everywhere.
Thanks to all for the help.
Hi, I'm Len and I'm a Toolaholic...