Another 'WTF is this thing' thread!

[mDust]

That explains why it was shut so tight. Since it's open and you have to work on it, might as well install some valves, huh?

[altec]

If I was you I'd be very tempted to rip out all that copper and replace it with PVC. Do it piece by piece around the house and by the time you are done you scrap the copper and you've paid for the PVC parts, and put some money in your pocket!

Just a thought... Copper has no where to go but up, and Japan is gonna help.

[AmEv]

Or do a scratch build

[x88x]

That explains why it was shut so tight. Since it's open and you have to work on it, might as well install some valves, huh?

Yup. When I drain the system to replace the washers I'm gonna put in some valves.

As for replacing it all with PVC, I am fortunate in that most of my plumbing is fairly easily accessibly from the basement/crawlspace (single-story structure), so I might do something about it at some point...not sure if PVC is recommended for use in hot water lines now though. IIRC it wasn't when my parents built their house back around 2000 (they're unfortunately not living in it anymore..moved in closer to town).

[msmrx57]

If you do replace the copper PEX is the way to go not PVC. It's flexible, can handle hot water. You can make all the runs with no joints. Did I mention it's flexible? This makes it wonderfully easy to work with. Yes you need a special tool for crimping the connectors, but it's pretty cheap so it'll pay for itself in savings over paying someone to do it.

[AmEv]

AND, PEX is hot/cold color-coded!

[x88x]

If you do replace the copper PEX is the way to go not PVC. It's flexible, can handle hot water. You can make all the runs with no joints. Did I mention it's flexible? This makes it wonderfully easy to work with. Yes you need a special tool for crimping the connectors, but it's pretty cheap so it'll pay for itself in savings over paying someone to do it.

I've thought about this, but need to look into it more. From what I've seen, the recommended way to do PEX is a hub system, as opposed to the tree system used with traditional plumbing techniques. For the main portion of the house, I don't think the transition would be a problem, but the addition has a solid foundation, so changing any of it would be problematic. ..however, with the exception of the kitchen sink drain, the addition is entirely PVC, so it wouldn't really need to be changed..hmmm..I'll have to look into how much I would need to completely refit the main house portion. It's currently a combination of PVC and copper, with a little bit of cast iron still left over from the original 1926 plumbing. If I'm draining the system anyway to fix the tub, it might be worth spending a weekend (maybe a long weekend...) refitting the supply lines in the main house portion with PEX. The challenge would be figuring out the maze of supply plumbing around the furnace...the guy who came to work on the furnace said it looked like the current one was at least the third one to be hooked up there, from the mess of old hookups behind it. It would be good to get that cleared up as well, which would be a nice side-effect of redoing the whole supply system...hmmm..

[dr.walrus]

attach your water cooling system direct to the mains while you're at it

[altec]

C PVC is up to code in Maryland (Last I checked). Which is what I suggest using. Worked good, easy to use, and affordable. Also, you can repair a section without replacing the whole line like PEX...

If I was you, I'd look up Maryland code for your water. you might be surprised what you find out about PEX...

[Airbozo]

Damn I should have taken pictures of the nightmares I found while remodeling my house.

I recently replaced all of the galvanized steel plumbing in my entire house (with copper thank you) and when I got to the bathroom area, I removed what seemed like a mile of pipe. Seriously it looked like something out of the game pipe works.

Remember knob and tube wiring? When they upgraded my electic system (long before I owned this house), they left all of the knob and tube stuff and ran the new wires (mostly aluminum) with the bare wires. I have since completely rewired my house too.

When remodeling my kitchen I removed all of the venting pipes for the old wood cooking stove.

Did I mention my house was 100 years old?

Good luck on more treasure.

BTW: Back on topic:

It was VERY rare to install shut off valves to tubs and showers until recently. Many counties still do not require them on anything but kitchen sinks, washers, bathroom sinks and water heaters. Kind of sill if you ask me. Even a good valve is under $20.. (Please don't use a $2 version for anything in the house. They fail after a few uses)