QA

Question: How To Re-Solder Copper Pipe Joint Without Removing It

Can you Resweat a copper joint?

If you have a leaky joint and the joint leaks at the solder connection, you can re-solder or “re-sweat” the joint to eliminate the leak. Although you must work with a blowtorch to repair the leak, you can do so as long as you feel comfortable working with a blowtorch. Sep 26, 2017.

Can I solder over old solder?

Just heat the joint up with your torch, once the solder starts to melt use Channel locks to pull the fittings apart. Once the joint is apart, wipe as much old solder off as you can with a rag. Now you can start over.

Can you Resolder a copper pipe joint?

When the copper is hot enough, the solder will melt like butter. Move the flame away from the joint and feed about 1/2 in. to 3/4 in. of solder into the joint. The solder will flow into all areas of a properly cleaned and fluxed joint.

Can you solder a joint without taking it apart?

Soldering copper pipes successfully requires that the joint be well cleaned and fluxed to assure the solder will adhere to the copper. When a joint has been leaking, the leak path can be contaminated or oxidized and there is little likelihood that the solder will seal that area.

Can you reheat a solder joint?

If the solder joint is made properly the first time, there will be no “voids or channels” when you reheat and rotate it.

How do you remove solder from a copper pipe without a torch?

Heat the pipe gradually to the melting point of the solder and wipe the solder off with a rag. Then use either a wire brush or sand cloth to remove whatever solder is left.

How do you remove old solder from copper pipe?

Get Rid Of The Old Solder With the aid of the propane torch, heat the ends of the copper pipe so that the old solder will melt and can be removed. Using a dry rag, wipe away any solder that is left. Take extra precaution to ensure you don’t burn yourself when wiping away the old solder from the pipe.

Can you Resolder a bad joint?

Cold Joint Cold joints are unreliable. The solder bond will be poor and the cracks may develop in the joint over time. Repair: Cold joints can usually be repaired by simply re-heating the joint with a hot iron until the solder flows. The excess solder can usually be drawn-off with the tip of the iron.

Can you solder copper with a soldering iron?

You can fix it using a soldering iron, as long as you follow the basic rules of soldering copper wire and make sure you’re careful and attentive during the process.

How do you Unsweat a joint?

Heat the copper pipe fitting with the torch. The brighter blue portion of the flame that comes to a point within the flame is the hottest part of the flame. Heat the fitting until you see the silver-colored solder begin to melt. Heat the fitting for another 30 seconds so it stays hot after you move the torch away.

Can you solder pipes with water in them?

Don’t try to solder pipes with water in them. Soldering a joint in pipes that contain even tiny amounts of water is nearly impossible. Most of the heat from the torch goes into turning the water to steam, so the copper won’t get hot enough to melt the solder.

Can you move a soldered joint?

2 Answers. Most likely, you’ll need to cut the pipe and rework it with new fittings. If you heat the joint hot enough to melt the solder, you’d want to pull it apart to clean the joint, apply new flux, and solder it again.

Can You Use Flex Seal on copper pipes?

Flex Seal will work on roofs, gutters, skylights, windowsills, flashings, downspouts, foundations, awnings, chimneys, vent pipes, RV’s, campers, trailers. It can be applied to wood, copper and other metals, concrete, masonry, glass, fabric, plastics and much more.

Can you reuse copper fittings?

Copper pipes and fittings are used in many plumbing systems. Copper pipes and fittings are used throughout the plumbing systems that exist in many homes and commercial buildings. You can remove copper fittings and reuse them by following a straightforward procedure that requires a moderate amount of time and effort.

Should solder be reheated?

Yes, once or twice using flux but only with prototype boards. Generally it is unwise to reheat solder, but in the case of repairing the circuit board to experiment with various components it may be necessary to reheat the part a second time.

What is a disturbed solder joint?

Disturbed Joint A disturbed joint typically occurs as a result of movement while the alloy is solidifying. The resulting joint will appear to be rough or frosted and display a ripple pattern on the joint surface.

How can you tell if a solder joint is bad?

Cold solder joints can be detected by visual checking or using a magnifying glass. Primarily, a cold solder joint could look dull, whitish, and convex, or deformed, which is very different from a proper solder joint. Another way to detect a cold solder joint is by using a Multimeter.

Why does a dry solder joint have to be replaced?

Unlike good solder joints that are shiny, dry joints have a dull or matt finish. Also when soldering them they appear to have a more granular appearance as the solder is melted. When a dry joint is found, the solder on the joint should be removed and care taken when re-soldering it to ensure that a good joint is made.