Using Solder Fittings with Plumbing Copper Pipes

You Are Here: Home » About-plumbing » Using Solder Fittings with Plumbing Copper Pipes

Using Solder Fittings with Plumbing Copper Pipes

In order to perform this action you will need thin gauge solder, plumbing solder flux and wire wool as materials together with a blow torch, a damp cloth and a heat screen. The first step is cutting all pieces of pipe to the proper length and cleaning every end of them with using a piece of steel wool. Every piece of pipe needs to be slid into the connector while making sure that they go in until reaching the stop in the body. A bind pipe means that there is a distorted end to the pipe (which means you should cut another length of copper pipe), a burr is found on the out side of the pipe (you will need to remove it) or there is an obstruction present in the body (you might need to get rid of the connector or you might use a round file to remove the obstruction if it is found off the solder ring).

Now you will need to apply a thing coating of plumbing solder flux around the pipe. Use a brush to do this as plumbing solder flux will usually contain some sort of acid, which means it must not come in direct contact with your skin. Use a twisting movement to insert the pipe in the connector and assemble the rest of the pipes into the body of the connecter. You should never solder every pipe separately as all need to be linked in the same operation. The heat skin will be utilized to protect the area around the pipes when using the blow torch. Now you will need to light the blowtorch and let it heat up for around 2 minutes. Get the torch to a bright blue flame and you are ready for soldering.

To sold standard plain fittings that do not have built in plumbing solder you have to use solder manually. Evenly apply heat to the whole joint after unrolling a length of solder and play the flame across every joint. Make sure that you move the flame all around it and as soon as you see the solder flux bubbling you have to apply the end of the solder to the joint. Thanks to a capillary action the solder will be drawn between the fitting and the pipe. You can also sold fittings that come with solder that is already placed where it is needed as soon as you apply heat. The solder will fill the gap between the pipe and the fitting. Always apply heat evenly and as soon as a ring of solder will appear in the gap you have to remove the heat source. If you apply to much heat the plumbing solder will get out of the joint and the link will not be established. Allow it all to cool, check for leaks and you are done.

learn plumbing basic courses certification sump pumps sanitary sewer inspection smoke testing test pex pipe oil tank removal