Table of Contents
Can you solder pipe with water in it?
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. Stop the trickle of water with a pipe plug.
How do you get water out of copper pipe before soldering?
How long after soldering can I turn water on?
If you followed these instructions, the joint is likely very tight. The only good way to test is to put pressure on the joint (turn on the water to the house). Be sure to wait until the solder has cooled (2-3 minutes) before pressurizing the line to avoid the solder cracking due to a quick change in temperature.
Can you overheat copper pipe when soldering?
Overheating is a major problem when brazing or soldering copper pipe because the flux will burn (become oxidized), stop working, and become a barrier to tinning. In addition, a heavy oxide can be formed on the pipe itself, preventing a bond from forming between the filler metal and the pipe surface.
How do you get water out of a vertical copper pipe?
Simply insert the flexible tube from the spray nozzle into the copper pipe that you wish to drain. Have a small basin or container nearby to catch the water, and then simply squeeze to draw the water out of the pipe, through the spray nozzle and into the wastewater container.
Why is the solder not sticking to copper pipe?
If the solder is beading up or running down the pipe, you have a dirty fitting. Just as Vic says use clean fine grit sandpaper or emery cloth. Clean both surfaces, spread flux as soon as you clean them. Also clean and flux joint after you fit them together.
Does Flex Seal work on water 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.
How do you fix a leaking copper pipe without soldering?
Copper and PEX piping are the preferred alternatives and can be used in place of the leaking pipe by using sharkbite couplings. Start by turning off the main water line to your home and bleeding the system of water so you don’t get drenched when opening up the pipe. Then use a pipe cutter to remove the leaking section.
Why does my solder not stick?
A classic reason solder won’t stick to something is because you’re not getting it hot enough. My interns come to me with this problem all the time. Make sure the tip of the iron is nice and shiny. Touch some solder on it, and it should melt almost instantly.
What is the purpose of flux when soldering copper?
The main purpose of the flux is to prepare the metal surfaces for soldering by cleaning and removing any oxides and impurities. Oxides are formed when metal is exposed to air and may prevent the formation of good solder joints.
How long does it take for solder to harden?
Solder won’t fill spots that are cooler than its melting point. Fill the joint until solder drips out, then move on to the next joint. Give the joint 30 to 45 seconds to cool and harden before putting pressure on it. Be careful; it’ll still be too hot to touch.
How do you stop a pinhole leak in a copper pipe?
Because pinhole leaks are small, the easiest repair method is to fill them with epoxy putty. The best tool for the job is an epoxy putty stick, which combines the resin and the hardener in a pre-measured format. To use an epoxy putty stick, you tear off the amount of putty required and knead it by hand.
Will a weeping compression joint seal itself?
And yes, a slow leak MAY stop on its own. This is especially true if you have high mineral content in your water. I personally would not mess anymore with a fitting that you had properly tightened (more than a half-turn past hand tight) that originally had a small weep but sealed itself after a few hours.
Can you use too much flux when soldering?
Although there is a sufficient amount of flux present in the core of the solder wire to get your job done, the technicians (to make their job easy) tend to use additional flux in form of paste or liquid during the rework on the PCB. There is no problem with the use of flux during soldering.
Can you use a propane torch to solder copper pipe?
The torch needed for soldering copper can be propane or MAPP gas (methylacetylene-propadiene propane). Propane works fine, it just takes longer—which may work to your advantage if you are new to soldering copper and are working on 3/4-inch or 1/2-inch pipe. The choice of a torch is really up to you.
How long can you leave flux before soldering?
This is why it is important to flush the lines when not using water soluble fluxes. Wipe excess flux off the exterior of the pipe after solder joint has been completed, and never wait more than 4 hours to solder a joint after applying any flux to the joint.
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.
Can you solder a cracked copper pipe?
Depending on your skills and resources, you can repair cracked copper pipes through soldering, plugging with epoxy or wrapping with a commercial wrap seal kit. All three techniques make a watertight, permanent repair.
