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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. Stop the trickle of water with a pipe plug.
How do you get water out of a pipe before soldering?
How do you solder with water in the line?
What solder is safe for water use?
Lead-free plumbing solders are required for use on pipes carrying drinking water, also known as potable water lines. Leaded solders are available for applications that will not come into contact with potable water, such as sheet metal repair or copper drain lines.
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.
Why does my solder not stick 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.
How do you weld a leaking pipe?
Wrap the putty around the pipe, pressing the plug into the hole to seal the leak, as well as flattening the edges to secure it down. Don’t just plug the hole. Consider the pressure of the water and use enough J-B Weld to hold the affected pipe area. Allow the patch to fully cure for at least one hour.
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.
What kind of solder do you use for plumbing?
Types of Solder Buy lead-free solder that’s designed for copper water pipes; you’ll find it in the plumbing section of the store. Solder with lead is still available, but the lead can leach into your water supply, so don’t use it.
Is silver solder safe for drinking water?
It is safe for water supply lines. Silver solder is often used for copper gas lines. It melts at a much higher temperature. The key to soldering is to get the surfaces which will be soldered clean.
Can you use electrical solder for plumbing?
Typically, electrical solder contains rosin core flux; plumbing solder uses an acid-based flux. So it’s not a good idea to use plumbing solder for electrical connections because the acid in the flux can damage the wiring and lead to connection failure.
How long does it take for soldering iron to cool?
It is recommended that you wait at least thirty minutes before storing tools in an enclosed space, because most of the devices will be cool enough within two to three minutes.
How long does soldering iron take to heat up?
My (also 25 W) says that 1 minute is needed to reach operating temperature. The heat transfer also depends a lot on the condition of the tip. If the tip is bad, then it could take a while for it to melt solder even if the temperature is reached. Next are the wires.
How do you know if your solder joints are good?
A good solder joint should have an even band of solder showing all the way around. If you see an area that looks as if it needs more solder, brush a little flux onto the joint. If the joint is still warm, the flux will melt and flow into the void.
What would causes solder not to 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.
Do you need flux to solder copper pipe?
Strong metals such as brass and copper will require a synthetic acid flux in order to be soldered. This will remove not only oxidation but also corrosion and other residues that build up on these metals.
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.
How do you drain a frozen pipe?
Shut off the main water valve. Drain pipes of water. Force the water out. Drain appliances. Extra Protection: Pour anti-freeze into all sink and bathtub drains. When you are ready to use the water again, turn on the main water valve and let each fixture run until the pipes are full.
Can you weld a leaking water pipe?
It isn’t recommended by plumbers, and it doesn’t work for plastic pipes, but you can temporarily stop a water leak in a metal pipe with epoxy putty. At least two different brands on the market — JB Weld and Harvey’s Epoxy Putty — work equally well for the purposes of stopping leaks.
Can you weld on pipe full of water?
Not much chance that welding on the outside of big pipe full of water will cause any pressure increase. But it will suck the heat out of the weld zone far faster than the welder can put heat in. The result will be lack of penetration and fusion and a bad weld.
How do you seal a leaking pipe joint?
To fix a leaking joint using epoxy putty, first wipe the pipe so that it is dry. Then form the putty into a sausage-like shape whilst soft and apply it around the leaking joint, pushing it down onto the pipe to create a tight seal where it will harden to seal the leak.
