Copper Pipe Size?

Ivylog wrote:
Many years ago I had the same problem.... good for a laugh from the local supply company as it's not a odd size, it's a 3/8 frozen to something bigger. At some point further up hill it will be 3/8th.

The mystery is solved! I think it's time for the OP to replace the entire section of pipe.

Many years ago I had the same problem.... good for a laugh from the local supply company as it's not a odd size, it's a 3/8 frozen to something bigger. At some point further up hill it will be 3/8th.

It's soft copper and I took the cut section to the hardware store with me. It's in between 3/8" and 1/2". The shark bite/slip-on fittings are great, but they don't make them in whatever wacky size this is.

The line had frozen. The previous owner had drained the cold side and added antifreeze, but neglected to open the hot water drain. They took out the plug in the HW tank, but it wasn't enough.

All of the plumbing is copper - gas and water. REALLY old school. I really don't want to have to re-plumb the thing so I'm hoping to find the right sized coupling.

Is it rigid or soft bendable copper. If you see a bend in the pipe, it is soft and you will need fittings specific for that type of copper. Cut a piece out and take it to the store.

First mistake was going to Lowe's instead of Home Depot.....:B:B..

Seriously though....where does the pipe go that was split? Also, have you determined why it split? It's important to know if it's water pipe or not. It's also important to determine why it split as you might have to check other components of the system for failure. Finally, can you cut out a portion of the piping where the split occurred? Obviously, the pipe at the split will have been compromised so it won't be it's former size at that point. Above and below the split will be your best determinant. Rigid copper pipe is standard size and yours should be no different. I would not hesitate to use the "Shark Bite" fittings in my coach. I believe Lowe's refers to them a "Gator Bites" but they're the same fitting(s). Give us some additional info and perhaps we can help more....Dennis

Is it soft drawn copper or rigid? The soft drawn (bendable by hand) pipe is normally used for refrigerant lines in HVAC and so is sometimes referred to as "refrigerant". It is slightly different size than the hard drawn pipe. If that's what you have you might have to get fittings at an HVAC specialty supply house.

A split indicates to me either a freeze, or highly excessive pressure. From my experience, I have found that the pipe has swollen, which means that the components of a compression fitting will not fit on the pipe. You might try the shark bite fittings as suggested, else it probably means replacement of the entire section of pipe.

I thought all Copper Pipe Sizes were standard.
Maybe you should cut out the split section and take with you to the hardware store.

Did you consider doing the repair with Sharkbite Fittings and PEX Tubing.

Copper in a coach? That's a new one.

Since the split section will need to come out sooner or later cut it out now and take it with you to your store of choice and compare to the stock material. I can't remember it pipe is measure inside or outside diameter.

The various compression (Shark Bite and such) fittings are the bee's knees. Used them in the stick and bricks when remodeling the baths. A bit expensive but they work and I didn't have any leaks with both the end caps I used and going from copper to CPVC.