How to Protect Copper Plumbing Underground

Sharing our DIY experience with our [hard] lessons learned on how to protect a new copper plumbing line underground. In our case, we are protecting our new water service line from the water meter to the house and used PEX in between our city’s requirement for three foot copper whips on either end. Definitely sharing so you don’t make the same mistakes if you’re doing a similar project with copper.

*WARNING* Always verify your plan with your plumbing authority--you will have your own set of requirements depending where you live--and there is no shame in hiring a licensed plumber if you ever have questions or feel over your head. This video is documenting our process so if we ever have to do this again we won’t have to relearn these lessons.

0:00 Why You NEED to Protect Copper
0:30 #1 Best Advice
1:24 Our Code/City Requirements for Copper
2:31 10 MIL Pipe Wrap
4:19 Bedding Material & Foam Pipe Insulation
5:10 Advice on Modifications
5:52 Tracer Wire & Warning Tape
6:28 CYA
7:32 How to Protect PEX Underground: https://youtu.be/nLnXT9e3hK0

MATERIALS USED:

○ 1” Copper Pipe - https://www.supplyhouse.com/Uponor-Wirsbo-F4341000-1-Uponor-AquaPEX-White-w-Blue-Print-100-ft-coil
○ 10 Mil Pipe Wrap Tape - https://amzn.to/3DY1hjl
○ 1” foam insulation - homedepot.sjv.io/9WOLZE
○ 2” PVC coupling - https://homedepot.sjv.io/MXBO2K
○ Detectable Buried Water Tape (also used to indicate you are getting close to the actual line before hitting it with a shovel or other power tool more effective at digging dirt) - https://amzn.to/3neMWsT

TOOLS USED:

○ Milwaukee Close Quarters Tubing Cutter Set - https://homedepot.sjv.io/5bY5G1
○ Bernzomatic TS8000KC Premium Torch Kit - https://homedepot.sjv.io/e4g12Q
○ Oatay Plumbing Solder Kit - https://amzn.to/3vuxzPc
○ Oatey Safe Flo (Lead Free) Solder - https://amzn.to/3E0LL5v
○ Oatey Sanding Cloth - https://amzn.to/3AZiXs7
○ Plumbers 4 in 1 Pipe Cleaning Tool - https://amzn.to/3nblfzz
○ Deburring Pipe and Depth Gauge Tool - https://amzn.to/3B5S8Ct

CODE/WEBSITE REFERENCES:

○ 2021 UPC Section 604.10.1: https://epubs.iapmo.org/2021/UPC/
○ 2018 IPC - https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IPC2018
○ 811 website - https://call811.com/

MENTIONED VIDEOS:

○ How to Protect PEX Underground - https://youtu.be/nLnXT9e3hK0
○ Code for Bedding Material (Sand) - https://youtu.be/YOiZ_WEasPU
○ Code for How Deep to Run a New Plumbing Line - https://youtu.be/2tmJ4sQ4oyA
○ Time = $$$$: How to Quickly Clean Inside Copper Pipe - https://youtu.be/aC5ApGN0cDI
○ How [not] to Use A ProPEX Expansion Tool - https://youtu.be/f_PvzQXO-pE
○ Tracer Wire - https://youtu.be/-jKJ5HS6VWQ
○ Why Phyn Plus is one of the best (if not THE best) water monitor & shutoff system - (next week’s video)

RELATED PLAYLISTS:

○ This video is part of a video series on DIY water main replacement:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzio78R2Y1xnj1uLqG5NDS0JxWX4KXyIB
○ Leak Detection - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzio78R2Y1xnNOr1Hv2UCVAZsWF0X-S2L

DISCLAIMER / HONESTY POLICY: The links in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. You are not obligated to do so, but it does fund these videos in hopes of helping you protect your home and there is no additional charge to you.

OUR GO-TO PLUMBING LEAK DEBUGGING/PREVENTION PRODUCTS:

○ Cheap, Yet Effective Water Pressure Gauge - https://amzn.to/3iX50Sz
○ Phyn Plus (10% off) - https://www.phyn.com/plus-smart-water-assistant/ enter discount code Margaret10 at checkout
○ Aquor’s House Hydrant - https://amzn.to/3fmeSTX
○ Wyze Cams - https://amzn.to/3vXZ2IL --I have V2's with this economical SD card https://amzn.to/2PvxxG9, but the V3 is out now and night vision is much improved: https://amzn.to/3dvctHV

COME SAY HI!

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Epidemic Sound: (referral link for a 1 month free trial) https://www.epidemicsound.com/referral/sge0mp/