Soldering versus ProPress

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all I care about is money. And we looked at this with that in mind
We crunched a few numbers and came to the conclusion that Using propress on piping 1'' and smaller cost more than soldering.
We figured the man hours and material costs
Above 1'' you can see a profit
below 1'' the price of the fittings vs man hours was cost prohibitive

here are some prices
propress 1/2'' 90= $2.98, 3/4-90=$$3.96, 2'' 90= $42.43
solder 1/2'' 90= $0.38, 3/4=90 $0.67, 2'' 90= $11,96
 
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I have never used ProPress, but there are copper plumbing repairs that I turn down because I am not confident about soldering due to risk of fire.
The plumbing was often originally put in with the framing totally open
Now there is often faced insulation, more framing, wiring, coax, drywall, so much stuff too close for my comfort.
Pros come in and bang it out safely.
And no need to wait forever for the pipes to stop every little drip, like in a basement.
 
all I care about is money. And we looked at this with that in mind
We crunched a few numbers and came to the conclusion that Using propress on piping 1'' and smaller cost more than soldering.
We figured the man hours and material costs
Above 1'' you can see a profit
below 1'' the price of the fittings vs man hours was cost prohibitive

here are some prices
propress 1/2'' 90= $2.98, 3/4-90=$$3.96, 2'' 90= $42.43
solder 1/2'' 90= $0.38, 3/4=90 $0.67, 2'' 90= $11,96
Where did you get the pricing for the propress fittings? I would never charge that much for a 1/2" 90. I have talked to some clients about this. They say the propress saves them money. That's mostly on the commercial side though. They also don't have to wait for water to stop dripping to press the fittings.
 
It's not something a DIYer should consider after reviewing the price of one of these devices.

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If you are performing a volume of jobs, it would pay for itself ultimately with the added benefits others have mentioned. Otherwise, stick to the more traditional if saving money is important to you as it is to most DIYers.
 
It's not something a DIYer should consider after reviewing the price of one of these devices.

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If you are performing a volume of jobs, it would pay for itself ultimately with the added benefits others have mentioned. Otherwise, stick to the more traditional if saving money is important to you as it is to most DIYers.
I am sure you could rent one.
 
Good point, SHEPLMBR, I'm sure you could. I like the benefits of this product but that tool is large and unwieldy so it's not for ALL projects, especially those in tight spaces.
 
Here's a rental rate for one of these, in my area at least, sans the cost of the fittings.

Screen Shot 2020-12-22 at 4.09.25 PM.png
They claim it's easy to use in tight spaces. That's a stretch. I guess it depends on one's definition of tight spaces.
 
Where did you get the pricing for the propress fittings? I would never charge that much for a 1/2" 90. I have talked to some clients about this. They say the propress saves them money. That's mostly on the commercial side though. They also don't have to wait for water to stop dripping to press the fittings.
Viega ProPress Fittings - SupplyHouse.com

We determined it is because the man hours to sweat a copper 90 is close to the same to press the same 90 the difference is the price of the 90. This is of course only true on small fittings and in ideal situations
I agree that the propress is fantastic for tie in and fixing leaks where water is a concern We did not address that we treated that as a given.
 
I have never used ProPress, but there are copper plumbing repairs that I turn down because I am not confident about soldering due to risk of fire.
The plumbing was often originally put in with the framing totally open
Now there is often faced insulation, more framing, wiring, coax, drywall, so much stuff too close for my comfort.
Pros come in and bang it out safely.
And no need to wait forever for the pipes to stop every little drip, like in a basement.

You NEED a torch set up by uniweld
It is called a soft flame, It is NOT a turbo torch and it uses acetylene
get a couple pieces of sheet metal and you can learn to heat a 90 from ''over here ''
d rim joist.png
Remember. always start at the top with your solder when doing this, capillary action the solder will flow to the heat source
 
Viega ProPress Fittings - SupplyHouse.com

We determined it is because the man hours to sweat a copper 90 is close to the same to press the same 90 the difference is the price of the 90. This is of course only true on small fittings and in ideal situations
I agree that the propress is fantastic for tie in and fixing leaks where water is a concern We did not address that we treated that as a given.
lol. From the price you quoted, that's high in my book.
 
“All I care about is money.”

Seriously? Doing any job properly, price/cost should be only one consideration. If I (or any homeowner for that matter) ever heard any contractor say that, that their money is the only thing they care about, they’d never see a penny of mine...or anyone else I knew.

The entire building trades are littered with stupid ideas done to save money for contractors or builders whose only thing is to save money as opposed to doing the job correctly!

Let’s see...LP siding, aluminum house wiring, Federal Pacific Stab-Lock service panels, polybutylene piping, ABS black DWV piping to name a few. All ideas concocted by those whose only concern is money, and who have left entrusting homeowners with dreadful and sometimes dangerous conditions.
 
“All I care about is money.”

Seriously? Doing any job properly, price/cost should be only one consideration. If I (or any homeowner for that matter) ever heard any contractor say that, that their money is the only thing they care about, they’d never see a penny of mine...or anyone else I knew.
Nice Rant, Does not have a damn thing to do with what i said. but you used a lot of words
I was talking about propress vs copper fittings, and YES, I am looking at the MONEY. if you are a business owner that is what you do. A hourly employee does not look at the cost of material

The entire building trades are littered with stupid ideas done to save money for contractors or builders whose only thing is to save money as opposed to doing the job correctly!
AGAIN, nice rant, the subject is propress vs copper, either on is doing the job correctly,
Let’s see...LP siding, aluminum house wiring, Federal Pacific Stab-Lock service panels, polybutylene piping, ABS black DWV piping to name a few. All ideas concocted by those whose only concern is money, and who have left entrusting homeowners with dreadful and sometimes dangerous conditions.
Yur rant has nothing to do with the subject. I suggest you get a cup of coffee and chill out. you are tripping
 
I'm with Frodo ....... Cost is the only notable difference in two techniques that have been proven to work..... especially from a professional's perspective.
Thanks, But I am going to leave him alone
some just do not understand business, they are just hourly workers
 
The entire building trades are littered with stupid ideas done to save money for contractors or builders whose only thing is to save money as opposed to doing the job correctly!

True, that! My recent PRV replacement is a perfect example. No doubt saving money was a driving factor in configuring the PRV placement the way they did when they installed the original fixture when the home was built. The plumber who replaced it cursed them and said they should have to come redo their work for free. Effectively, he said they were sobs, which they are of course. It's types like that who give plumbers a bad name and a black eye.
 
That whole list of bad stuff has nothing to do with the people who installed it. I'll guarantee they were assured that the stuff/sysytem was (a) Better and (B) Cheaper than then standard stuff. Look to the manufacturers, who forgot long term testing because it was too expensive.
 
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