On Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 12:14:33 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Tue, 22 Mar 2016 10:19:54 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On 3/21/2016 9:47 PM, wrote:

The ones I'm referring to are solid copper, with spiral ribs, so it can
be bent any way you like. Unless they are no longer sold, they were
readily available, but it's been years since I needed any such thing. I
would not plastic with a braid over it either. I avoid all plastics when
it comes to plumbing.


I had one of those put in when the house was built. It sprang a leak in
a bad spot so I replaced it with another. Two years later, it leaked
again. Out it went and I replaced it with PEX and it has been good for
15 years now.

I've seen those copper spiral tubes last many years. But like anything,
there are defective items made, and maybe the manufacturer was making
all bad parts. I've never used them myself. I prefer to connect the tank
direct with copper pipe because it's cheaper, and I think it looks
better.

Are you frigging kidding me?

In your earlier post you said:

"The ideal solution would be to install one of those flexible copper (or
stainless steel) pipes made for water heaters."

Note the word *ideal*.

So are you saying that you don't prefer *ideal* solutions?

I did see a house where all the plumbing froze, and the ends of
both of those spiral tubes separated from the tubes. But none of that
stuff is made for freezing, and I'd think all those ribs would cause
excessive pressure on the pipe, because the ice would be applying a lot
of pressure against every rib.

I would not normally recommend them, because they are really not needed,
and they are costly. But in this thread, it was mentioned that the pipes
were not properly aligned and I thought that would be an easy way to
correct it, rather than redoing more pipes.

"Easy" rarely equates to "ideal". Which word are you now going with as far
as the flexible WH tubes? Easy or Ideal?

In the case of my repair, the ideal solution turned out to be fairly easy.
One extra fitting and a shim. Now I have straight copper (just like you like
it) and everything lines up perfectly and in a relaxed manner.

It actually would have been more work to go out and buy your "ideal"
solution than it was to solder a few fittings.


For all I know, they may not even sell them anymore. Plumbing stuff
changes all the time.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/3-4-in-x-...IP-S/202692481


Even the old brass spiral gas pipes have now
changed (for behind a gas stove). Those were always the same for years,
but when I was young, I always feared having one break, when I moved the
stove for cleaning behind it. But I guess they were stronger than they
looked. Someone always comes up with something they consider better.
Sometimes it is better, but often it's just a way to make stuff cheaper
so the company can make more money.

By the way, PEX is not supposed to be connected directly to a water
heater. When I was considering using PEX, I did a lot of checking on
this, from actual plumbers. It's suggested to put at least 6" of pipe
before it. Some plumbers said more, and if it's a gas WH, it's not
suppose to be anywhere near the chimney pipe. But if it's lasted you 15
years, it should last another year or two before it gets real brittle
and snaps in half or crumbles, which is how all plastics generally
deteriorate and eventually fail....

And since we're talking about PEX, has anyone ever determined how many
chemicals a person ingests whenever they drink water from a PEX plumbing
system? Just wondering.... Our bodies need some iron or copper, and all
pipes leach at least a little of their material. This is the same reason
I dont buy bottled water and buy all my soda, beer and other beverages
in cans or glass bottles, not plastic.

That's funny! Are the beverages you are buying 100% natural?