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Is soldering copper pipe hard?
Soldering copper water supply lines is not a difficult skill. Even a rookie can learn to solder leak-proof joints in 30 minutes. The process is simple—if you follow a few basic guidelines.
What are the three steps in soldering copper pipe?
If you must solder a hole in copper pipe as a repair, here’s how: Follow the steps above to clean and prep your pipe. Apply flux around the hole. Heat the pipe and melt the solder. Clean off any drips. Let the patched pinhole cool before you turn on the water again.
Can you solder old copper pipe?
Yes. As long as you clean both the pipe and the fitting and heat both the same at the same time. This will melt the resident solder and allow for reconnection.
Why does my solder not stick to copper pipe?
the solder is hot enough, but the copper is not hot enough. Heat the copper more before applying the solder. The join is not clean enough. If you’re using a good flux, then the copper isn’t clean enough.
What kind of torch do you use to solder copper pipe?
MAPP gas torches burn hotter than propane, making them a better choice for modern solder. Five to 10 seconds of heating with a MAPP gas torch is all that’s required before you can feed solder into most 1/2- to 3/4-in. pipes and fittings.
Do you need flux to solder copper pipe?
After a thorough cleaning, coat the pipe and fitting with flux before heating the joint. This helps solder flow into the joint. You may find two or three kinds of flux on the shelf. We recommend tinning flux.
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.
Can you solder copper with a soldering iron?
The most common use of a soldering iron is to solder copper wires. Yes. Most electrical wire is copper and thus a good candidate for soldering with SnPb solder — or more recently non-leaded solders the most common of which, for electronics, is SAC 305 an alloy of mostly tin with small amounts of Silver and Copper.
How long after soldering can you turn water on?
30 seconds should be long enough. Once the solder has solidified, you are good to go. The water will only make it solidify faster by cooling, but if it is still molten, the water pressure will separate and/or pollute the joint.
Can you solder copper pipe with a butane torch?
A butane torch creates a flame that can reach a maximum temperature of about 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. These high temperatures—coupled with butane’s long flames, which can reach up to 6 inches long—make these torches capable of melting and soldering metals like copper and silver.
What is the best solder to use on copper pipes?
What Type of Solder is Used for Copper Pipe? Lead free solder is best for copper pipes carrying drinking water. It will be free of elements you don’t want entering your drinking water. However it will require a higher melting point than a 50/50 solder.
Why do plumbers use bread?
“Use the bread to stop the leaks,” says Larry. According to Larry, the plumber, when you need to solder a copper pipe that has a leak, first stuff it with a tightly rolled pie of fresh white bread! Fresh bread is the key, he insists. The bread will stop the leak long enough to get the soldering done.
Do you need flux to solder?
Do you need to use flux when soldering? When soldering circuit boards, or other electrical / electronic devices, yes – you need to use flux. Fortunately, almost all solder for electronics use has an internal core of flux, so you usually don’t need to add more.
Why does my solder stick to my tip?
The solder is sticking to the tip of your iron because of lack of heat transfer usually caused by oxidation . 1. Everything should be clean and shiny and tinned-the iron tip, the pads or whatever your soldering to and the leads of the part.
Can you solder copper with a propane torch?
I used a common everyday, readily available propane torch to solder the copper tubing together. You can get a cylinder of propane and the torch at any big box home improvement or hardware store.
Why do plumbers use torch?
Plumbers use blowtorches to solder and fix copper pipes. The word “solder” (pronounced “sodder,” with a silent L) refers both to the process of joining the pipes and to the substance used in the process. To solder, a plumber heats the pipes and then applies solder material, which softens in the heat.
