Repair Copper Flexible Tube

Copper Flexible Tube can bend around corners with ease. Copper tubing is used in bathrooms and kitchens just like rubber tubing to carry hot and cold water to sinks, toilets and bathtubs. Copper tubing last years longer than rubber tubing.
1 Figure out what size Tube you need so you know what you need when you get to the hardware store. There are three methods: First, look for printing on the existing Tube that tells you the size. Second, wrap your tape measure around the Tube you plan to repair; note the size. Or, if you already have a tubing cutter, remove a small piece of the Tube to bring with you to the hardware store. Also measure the approximate length of the Tube you’ll be replacing.
2 Remove the length of Tube you’ll be replacing, using the tubing cutter. Go slowly; you risk denting the tube if you apply pressure too quickly. You’ll want a section long enough that you’ll have some wiggle room when fitting the Tubes, but give yourself clearance for the fittings near studs and other obstacles. Measure the length of the gap after the Tube is removed. Rub steel wool at the end of the existing Tube to remove any dirt or debris. It doesn’t have to be shiny, but the compression fitting will need a smooth surface to hold properly.
3 Calculate the size of your patch Flexible Hose. The replacement Tube will not be the same length as the gap in the Tube; although the Tubes slide into the union fittings, there is usually a stop point midway that takes up part of that distance.
4 Cut your patch Tube to length using the tubing cutter. Clean the inside ends of the Tube with the cleanup tool on the cutter. Use steel wool to clean up the outside of the Tube.
5 Slide one of the fitting nuts and a compression ring onto the replacement Tube, then slide on the fitting. Slide the compression ring to the fitting and secure by thumb with the fitting nut. Repeat on the other end of the patch.
6 Put fitting nuts and compression ring onto the existing Tubes, then position the patch in place. This may require some gentle flexing of Tubes to get them into the union fitting without damaging them. Slide compression rings against Tube and tighten by thumb with nuts.
7 Using two wrenches, one to hold the fitting and one to turn the nut, tighten the compression nuts. After all four nuts are tightened, carefully turn back on the water and check for leaks. Turn off water before retightening any joints.
The article comes from Kitchen Faucets.