When should copper pipes be replaced?

[M1957]

I'm having a couple of new radiators installed and was looking at the rest of the system. Some of the copper pipes are probably over 30 years old but might be difficult to replace. It's an open vent system so not high pressure. Do you think it's necessary to replace old pipes in a heating system after a certain age?

 

[terryplumb]

No .If it all works leave it be.

 

[Gasplumber]

Only replace if you was doing a refurb in your forever house

 

[iateyoubutler]

I wouldn`t worry too much. Mine are all almost 45 years old, and my auntie/uncle can go one further. In the very early 1970`s they replaced their open fire and back boiler (I think from the 1950`s) with a gas fire and back boiler, using the existing pipework and adding on the rest of the central heating system at the same time. It`s all still going strong now with no problems whatsoever. If it aint broke.......

 

[gas112]

Leave them for around another 500 years then maybe think of it

 

[Madrab]

The only issue I see from old copper is the 3/4" old pipe and fittings. The old 3/4" pipe is a nightmare when there's problems as 22mm will not happily fit onto it. Luckily that's easily rectified by a 3/4 > 22mm soldered adapter. That and the old Type B flared fittings can't be used with metric pipe and the old brass fittings are EOL by now unless they were serviced regularly.

That being said, I'd only look to update to metric if and when there's an issue or outlets being renovated as it will usually outlast everybody.

 

[gas112]

3/4 a nightmare my arse it's a 1 quid fitting

 

[Madrab]

Not if you're a DIY'er, which a lot of the people on here are and where the reply is directed towards. Not everyone's a consummate professional like you.

 

[durhamplumber]

The only issue I see from old copper is the 3/4" old pipe and fittings. The old 3/4" pipe is a nightmare when there's problems as 22mm will not happily fit onto it. Luckily that's easily rectified by a 3/4 > 22mm soldered adapter. That and the old Type B flared fittings can't be used with metric pipe and the old brass fittings are EOL by now unless they were serviced regularly.

That being said, I'd only look to update to metric if and when there's an issue or outlets being renovated as it will usually outlast everybody.

Or the compression version if not keen on soldering.

 

[gas112]

Or the compression version if not keen on soldering.

or just use a 22mm compression socket with 3/4 olive

 

[durhamplumber]

or just use a 22mm compression socket with 3/4 olive

Indeed