timotb Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 I have a GIRARD RV TANKLESS WATER HEATER GSWH-2 with a burst copper line from ice. Looking for ideas on how to repair. HVAC and copper plumbing guys know how. Anyone have ideas or comments? 3/8 od 180 degree turn with break near center. Love to post a picture but cant compress file size below to max allowable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveh Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 Not a plumber but the remedy would be to braze solder in an elbow. https://www.supplyhouse.com/Copper-Fittings-130000?gclid=CjwKCAjwjbCDBhAwEiwAiudBy3LX-cRC9Uw4uayeygyEsyBhx3NogwQOXB6083rnRu-XogIyzP8roRoCATcQAvD_BwE They now have quick connects for copper lines but these are being sold for HVAC. https://www.supplyhouse.com/Rectorseal-87025-3-8-PRO-Fit-Quick-Connect-90-Degree-Elbow Quote Dave and Lana Hasper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed ke6bnl Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 A lot depends on what tools you have to work with. Cut tube replace with same copper swedge to spread to fit over the copper if small diameter. Larger maybe above, 3/8 get Couplings and for copper to copper silfoss is great. dissimillliar metals silver solder is best. Quote 2000 National RV Sea Breeze 5th wheel 30ft. So.California 1950 F1 street rod 1949 F1 stock V8 flathead 1948 F6 350 chevy/rest stock, no dump bed shortened frame. 1953 chevy 3100 AD for 85 S10 frame 1968 Baha Bug with 2.2 ecotec motor 170 hp, king coil-overs,etc 1970 Baha Bug wihg 2332cc, King coil overs and everything else there is. 1998.5 Dodge 2500 4x4 Cummins, turbo, trans, injectors, lockers, bigger turbo,edge EZ upgrades for towing 35" BFG's, air dog lift pump etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray,IN Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 Simply soldering the split closed does not account for how much/thin the copper was stretched where it did not burst. Quote 2000 Winnebago Ultimate Freedom USQ40JD, ISC 8.3 Cummins 350, Spartan MM Chassis. USA IN 1SG retired;Good Sam Life member,FMCA ." And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. John F. Kennedy 20 Jan 1961 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrknrvr Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 (edited) How about sanding the area that will be soldered. Close gap as much as possible. Apply flux then tin with low temperature silver solder. Then form a patch of copper tubing that will cover the split and maybe3/16” more. Make it so it fits over the area freely. Then sand, flux and tin the repair piece. Install over split tubing and solder in place. Control the heat and it should work fine. This style solder gun should give you good heat that an be controlled correctly to do that job. I have used similar gun to even weld black water tanks. I have soldered odd high volume heat, short time, controlled solder projects with this style gun.gun. Vern in a T-shirt Edited April 7, 2021 by Wrknrvr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted April 7, 2021 Report Share Posted April 7, 2021 It is hard to say without seeing it but at least twice I have fixed a leak with an approriate size hose clamp with rubber? gasket under the clamp. It was so easy I never went back and did a "permanent repair. One was on the hot water discharge line of a large water heater. So what if it only lasted about 5 years. I am sure on yours it will depend on where it is located and may not work at all but if it doesn't you sure haven't lost a lot of time and money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted April 11, 2021 Report Share Posted April 11, 2021 I have done that clamp rubber on my maintenance jobs back in NC. Plant in service and not wanting to shut down system for a water leak. Just cut rubber to fit and a clamp or two on it. Never seen it fail. We did replace during shutdown. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted April 11, 2021 Report Share Posted April 11, 2021 (edited) On 4/6/2021 at 7:10 PM, timotb said: Love to post a picture but cant compress file size below to max allowable. Post your image to https://postimages.org . Resize to 640x480 and the post a direct link here . Edited April 11, 2021 by Pat & Pete Quote Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timotb Posted April 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2021 (edited) On 4/7/2021 at 7:51 AM, Wrknrvr said: 1/4" copper id; 3/8 od Edited April 11, 2021 by timotb more info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timotb Posted April 11, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 11, 2021 (edited) Lots of good ideas. Hope I can apply good technique. Thanks for all the good ideas Edited April 11, 2021 by timotb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjim Posted April 12, 2021 Report Share Posted April 12, 2021 That one may be tough but good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted April 12, 2021 Report Share Posted April 12, 2021 (edited) 18 hours ago, timotb said: Lots of good ideas. Hope I can apply good technique. Thanks for all the good ideas They do make U bends in different sizes . https://www.google.com/search?q=copper+tube+u+bend&source=lmns&bih=622&biw=1355&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjev9e3i_nvAhUVyKwKHaieBccQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA Edited April 12, 2021 by Pat & Pete Quote Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaLaura Posted April 21, 2021 Report Share Posted April 21, 2021 I have the same issue. Were you able to repair? If so, how? My crack is in the same place for the same reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddiek Posted May 21, 2021 Report Share Posted May 21, 2021 I have a leak in the exact same spot. Has anyone been able to repair theirs and if so, how? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attackgirl Posted May 9, 2023 Report Share Posted May 9, 2023 On 4/6/2021 at 8:10 PM, timotb said: Mine has done the same thing, split right in the bend and pin hole size leaks on opposite bend. I contacted the company because it has the Freeze Proof system and had no bulging like other burst copper lines which I found researching on Google. I mentioned the flow trouble then high pressure leaks and possible inferior copper with the splits and pins holes right at the bends. I asked if others had the same trouble, was there a recall on the lines and what is the repair solution. I did not mention replacement or warranty just like most of us troubleshooting so it does not happen again. Now I’m searching on how to repair I find many people do have the same problem. So…. Besides I had it hooked up to Power and Gas like the manual says so I needn’t worry about freezing. Well of course their short response was “it froze you have to buy a replacement” I responded with just what I said above, since others had problems with flow I figured flow issues were the start and inferior copper split followed. So now I’m trying to figure out what really went wrong and how to repair the copper bend and make sure this does NOT happen again Okay I could buy another named brand and/or this $600+ system with unfriendly customer service reps or we can find out how to fix small uncommon sized copper splits right at the bends without cutting the system up help! Please share what has worked for everyone. Thanks M I have a GIRARD RV TANKLESS WATER HEATER GSWH-2 with a burst copper line from ice. Looking for ideas on how to repair. HVAC and copper plumbing guys know how. Anyone have ideas or comments? 3/8 od 180 degree turn with break near center. Love to post a picture but cant compress file size below to max allowable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attackgirl Posted May 9, 2023 Report Share Posted May 9, 2023 On 4/11/2021 at 6:04 PM, timotb said: Doesn’t look like freezing copper looks like a burst. Compare yours to Google pictures of frozen pipes they swell up, bulge then split. I maybe be seeing something different than everyone else. I’ve sweated many a copper pipes, laid…cough cough ran miles of pex but who knows… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attackgirl Posted May 9, 2023 Report Share Posted May 9, 2023 On 4/12/2021 at 12:11 PM, Pat & Pete said: They do make U bends in different sizes . https://www.google.com/search?q=copper+tube+u+bend&source=lmns&bih=622&biw=1355&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjev9e3i_nvAhUVyKwKHaieBccQ_AUoAHoECAEQAA Thank you so much for this link. Has anyone found what size the system is using so we order the right size? ty M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted May 9, 2023 Report Share Posted May 9, 2023 I'd simply measure what you have and do a bit of research before ordering . Quote Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 10, 2023 Report Share Posted May 10, 2023 Silver solder will fix it Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrknrvr Posted May 10, 2023 Report Share Posted May 10, 2023 I am thinking if you were to cut a patch out of a properly shaped piece of copper. Like the picture above. One of those Make it fit fairly good over the problem area. Then as Glenn said, silver solder it in place. It might be wise to try a practice piece first. So you can learn from that. Silver soldering is a little different than regular soldering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted May 11, 2023 Report Share Posted May 11, 2023 Clean it good, shiny, paste and silver melts at higher temp than regular solder. I always use a brazing tip. Brazing tip allows concentrated heat so you don't burn up the copper. I have bridged 1/4" gap with silver. Great product. Very strong. Even made jewelry with it but i weld for a living also. Quote 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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