Crappy Pipe
After examing the pieces of pipe I pulled out from under the house I think the problem is the joints were over-crimped. The pipe breaks right next to the compression ring leading me to think they were weakened there when they were put together. The pipe is still flexible and not brittle, but from the way it jut broke away in my hand when I pulled on it I'm sure that it was about to blow.
The other thing though is that it's cheap plastic pipe so of course it failed. If it's so fragile that it can't withstand a little overzealous crimping then how is it going to last 25 years or more? One way or another something is going to go wrong with it. I've also had the stuff at the shop get cold (I don't think it froze) and burst a couple of times before replacing everything above ground with steel pipe, and the first year we moved in the line under the house that goes out to the shop also broke loose. It looks cheap, feels cheap, and obviously does not hold up well.
We are replacing the old pipe with CPVC with glued joints so hopefully it will hold up better.
So anyway I have purchased about $1000 worth of new shower, walls, pipe, drywall, etc. and am now working on getting the plumbing and floor ready for the shower installation. That includes replacing all of the old pipe upstairs with CPVC. I do not consider any of this up to this point to be fun. Once everything starts to go back together it will be better because the part I really hate, THE PLUMBING, will be mostly done.
Apparently my Dad likes plumbing cause he volunteered to come up last weekend and help.
Here he is working on relocating the drain. His help was invaluable this past weekend and I really appreciate it. Thanks Dad!
Anybody want to buy a used 350lb bathtub in good condition?
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