Yes, brass solders like copper. A ball valve is not disassembled to soldering it, but other valves that use rubber washers, or have stem packings, are disassembled to solder. One thing I do to minimize the possible heat damage to a ball valve while soldering is to take a wet rag (almost dripping wet) and wrap the 'cold' side of the valve while soldering to draw the heat away and keep the guts of the valve cooler. The wet rag is also right there to cool the valve and wipe the joint after soldering as well. If your using a basic propane torch, 3/4 inch valves are about the limit on what can be soldered due to the limited heat output, but it can certainly be done. Good luck!

Unfortunately the answer to both of your questions is "No". All fixture discharging into a sewage ejector receptor Must Be vented in the usual manner as defined for DWV applications prior to discharging into the receiver. The only exception to this rule is in the case of certain fixtures such as dedicated up-flush toilets that have a built in sewage ejector system. Sewage ejector pumps occupy a totally separate section of the code and the restrictions are firm. Technically speaking a sewage ejector pump should be more aptly called a "Lift Station" because the code requires a number of features in addition to the pump itself. First of all, a sewage ejector pump MUST BE housed in an approved watertight enclosure that is equipped with a removable service access cover and a separate vent through the roof of the structure. This vent may not be combined with any other venting within the structure. Sewage ejector pumps may or may not be equipped with a macerator however only pumps specifically manufactured for the purpose of a sewage ejector may be used. If the pump is not equipped with a macerator feature the pump must be capable of passing 2" diameter solids. By definition a macerator is a grinder feature that can reduce solids to slurry before passing through the pump. Under the International Residential Code (IRC 3007.1) the minimum permissible discharge rate of a sewage ejector pump must be 1.9ft/sec, which is equal to 14.2gal/min. Under the International Residential Code the gravity flow drain receiving the discharge from a sewage ejector pump must be sized at the rate of 1.5DFUs for each GPM of the pump. This means the minimum DFU load of a sewage ejector pump would be 14.2gpm x 1.5DFU = 21.3DFUÂs. Under the Uniform Plumbing code (UPC 710.3.1) the minimum permissible discharge rate of a sewage ejector pump must be 20gal/min. Under the Uniform Plumbing code (UPC 710.5) the gravity flow drain receiving the discharge from a sewage ejector pump must be sized at the rate of 2 DFUÂs for each GPM of the pump. Under the Uniform Plumbing code the minimum DFU load would be 20gpm x 2DFU = 40 DFUÂs. When combining the discharge of a sewage ejector pump with an existing drain we must first determine the existing load on that said drain line, then add the DFU load of the pump to determine the combined aggregate load. Under the IRC the maximum number of DFUÂs permitted on a 3" branch line is 20DFUÂs while the minimum output of a sewage ejector would be 21.3DFUÂs. Therefore the sewage ejector pump discharge itself would be greater than the total load permitted on a 3" branch line, never mind the pre-existing load on that line. A 3" Main drain or building sewer is rated for a maximum of 36DFU while the sewage ejector is rated at 21.3DFUÂs therefore the pre-existing load on the 3" main drain may not exceed 14.7DFUÂs. Now considering that a bathroom group is 6DFU, a kitchen is 3DFUÂs and a laundry is 3DFUÂs. If the house has more than one bathroom and a 3" main drain or sewer you would be required to increase the size of the main drain and sewer line to add a sewage ejector pump. In your case your Main Drain and sewer are 4", which is rated for a maximum of 180DFUÂs so if you install a sewage ejector you will be required to connect it directly to the 4" main drain line. While the UPC assigns slightly different DFU values to the lines and fixtures in the final analysis it works out the same way.

an expansion tank goes on the cold side of your water heater. when the water heats up it expands back into the cold side and usually into the city supply as it builds pressure. since you now have a backflow valve it cannot do this. best case scenario is that your T&P valve will now relieve the pressure, worst case is teh WH explodes! an expansion tank is just a small tank that has 2 sides, one for water and one for air. the water compresses teh air and this give more room for teh water to expand and protects you. get a tank installed NOW. you WILL have major issues otherwise. if you WH explodes it literally can destroy teh home and will kill you if you are nearby. i know this is worst case scenario, but it is a real threat. even if it does not blow up, it can rupture pipes and flood the home causing extensive damage.

I live in a condo which has 122 units and ONE shut off valve for the building's water supply. In other words, if water to a unit has to be shut off for any reason, the whole building has water shut off. In my experience, you can't replace a shut off valve without turning off the water for the building. You use the shut off valve so that you don't have to turn off water for the whole building to change a faucet or even a toilet. I would double check with management or whoever is in charge of maintenance because based on personal experience, you would need to close down all the water to replace the shut off valves. Because of the horrible consequences if a shut off valve breaks, my building has an annual inspection of all the shut off valves in each unit. If your shut off valve is found to be leaking or in danger of seizing (e.g. not shutting or opening properly), our building will make note of it. The HOA then turns off the water for one day so all homeowners on the list can get them replaced and the HOA generally provides the ability to use a plumber who bids a discount price. But the chief incentive is that normally it costs $2000 to shut off the water but there is no cost if you have the valves replaces on that day.