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View Full Version : replacing pipe behind tile wall


widgets
November 3rd, 2005, 01:17 AM
Does anyone have advice for replacing pipe behind a tile wall? I do not want to tear out any tile, but need to replace galvanized pipe that goes to a crawl space. How do I make the connections in the wall? Seems impossible to sweat a fitting in the wall. Maybe cpvc nipple into an elbow that is inserted up from the crawl space (?). What kind of trouble could come up getting the old iron pipe out (for example, I don't know if the elbows in the wall will fit out the hole in the crawl space). Could I just leave some iron pipe sections unused in the wall? I really do not want to tear out tile to replace any pipe. I need to do hot and cold for a sink (does a 90 degree out the tile wall about 15" above the floor) and another for the toilet (does a 90 degree out the tile wall about 6" above the floor).

Bathfitter
November 3rd, 2005, 06:16 AM
Hello I'm not sure if you have room on the other side of wall. If the other side of wall is sheet rock then you can cut a square hole near the bottom and use hole to sweat on elbow and pipe to go through other side of wall. When done attach freash air grill over hole. If siding on out side remove siding and cut hole to replace. patch hole and put siding back.

rfcomm2k
November 22nd, 2005, 07:04 AM
Ever consider using PEX? or flexible copper pipe? I realize that fishing around blindly in a wall for a small hole is not a fun thing to do, but if you are adamant about not removing tile then this is your best alternative.
If I were doing the job, I would just remove enough tile to do the job and then cover it with an access panel. Or else I would remove the galv from where it exits the wall, then using the hole as a starting point CAREFULLY remove the tile by slipping a hacksaw blade behind it and sawing out the glue holding the tile to the wall. After pipe is replaced, put in a new piece of drywall and glue the tiles back. Finish up with a color matched grout.