Galvanized Pipe Connector

[cjunrau]

Hello all. My hot water line is leaking under the slab. House was built probably late 60's. I am trying to run pex overhead. Tore out paneled wall on back side of shower. 1/2" galvanized coming up through slab to mixing valve I can't get to. Was thinking of cutting pipe and trying to thread with a ratcheting or powered pipe threader. Don't have much room. Any ideas or recommendations? TIA!

If I understand you, you want to run new pex above the slab. Good idea but I would get rid of all the pipe at the same time. you might be able to clamp something on there but I wouldn't. Every job I have done or redone we installed access panels to remove all taps at a later date. As many taps as I have replaced in my life I can not believe anyone would build without it. If I can use a tap 10 years before it starts to leak I think I'm lucky.

This is a good reason to do a reno project. Think it through and even run a temp hose on the floor for a week or 2 while you decide how much reno you want to do. I am cheap and don't have much money to spend, but I do have time on my side. renos do not have to cost a lot of money. Of course I don't need it fancy when finished either.

 

[steve_in_mo]

Personally, I am highly unqualified to answer this question!

So am I.
I would go with the BFH for starters.

 

[wh]

Andy griffith told aunt bee to “call the man”. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and write the check!!

 

[Ray,IN]

Andy griffith told aunt bee to “call the man”. Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and write the check!!

I agree; quite often there is a huge difference between DIY and hiring a professional with years of OJT.

 

[Willow Lane]

Two possibilities, after cutting the pipe off
#1 find a good welder/boilermaker. I've worked with some who could weld a fitting on to those pipes
#2 find a good sprinkler fitter, they will know the right Victaulic fitting to solve your problem. I'm not sure about code if burying the Victaulic fitting in the wall, but that's a separate issue

 

[MarkB_MI]

When you say you don't have access to the wall behind your shower, I assure there's something immovable in the way, such as a stairway or furnace. You may need to be creative. I recently had to replace a shower valve that had a vanity behind it. I found that if I took the drawers out of the vanity I could cut a hole into the wall and access the shower valve.

What about tearing out the shower wall? If it's just a fiberglass insert, those are pretty cheap to replace. Or if it's tile and is original, it's probably overdue for replacement; back in the day they just stuck tiles directly to non-water resistant drywall with mastic. It might be a good time to tear it all out and replace with better materials such as cement backer board.