Link between Hot and Cold water

[george]

I have an annoying shunt between the hot water and the cold water in my house. There are two shutoff valves on each end of this shunt. Unfortunately, the the copper pipes of the shunt leaks at an end cap (I know, end cap?.) Worse, when I shut off the water in the house for a repair (say replace Moen cartridge in the shower) the shut off valves leak when I open the main shutoff valve again. Thus, shunt piping leaks for a while, then stops. Even worse is when a contractor works on the house, and for whatever reason, they make an error. They leave both of these valves open link hot and cold. I guess they think they should be open because they are valves. Or they leave one of the two open.

Bottom line. What is this link about, why is it there. Can I remove it? I need to replace the valves regardless, I would rather just take it out altogether.

 

[SlowDrip]

I can't say I have ever seen a shunt between hot and cold lines. No idea what it is there for.

 

[george]

It is new to me as well. But not being a professional, and since this house was remodeled before we bought it in the late 90's I thought maybe there was a reason.

A co-worked suggested it was to help drain some of the lines if that were needed. Although not sure how it would help.

Unless I hear an uproar of comments to the contrary, I am going to assume it can be removed.

I want to fix up the plumbing at the house entrance and and add water treatment this summer so probably then it will vanish.

 

[havasu]

I would recommend posting up a few pictures here to confirm what you are referring to.

 

[george]

I will take a picture and post in a few days.