Table of Contents
What are the 3 steps to soldering a copper pipe?
How to Solder a Hole in Copper Pipe 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. Replace the entire section of pipe as soon as possible.
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 kind of solder do you use for 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.
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.
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.
Do you need flux to solder copper pipe?
Flux prevents the copper from oxidizing as you heat the copper with the torch. You can solder without flux, but it is really difficult! Flux is applied to both the pipe and the fitting with a handy miniature paint brush. You do not need massive amounts to be effective.
Can you solder copper pipe with a soldering iron?
Sure — if the iron is large enough to heat the piece of copper to the proper temperature (copper is an excellent conductor of heat, so it may take a larger heat source than a soldering iron), and you have good solder with the proper flux, and some skill.
Can I use electrical solder on copper pipe?
Electrical solder is generally hollow, with a core made of a flux intended to solder copper wires. This flux is not made for copper water pipes. You will want to use a separate paste flux especially made for sweating copper water pipe (and a small brush to apply it). Some electrical solders contain an amount of lead.
What is the most commonly used solder in plumbing?
Acid core solders are most often used in plumbing applications to join metal pipes or sheet metal. Rosin core solder is also fabricated with a hollow core inside the solder wire, but the flux used is a milder variety made of rosin, which is a solid form of resin derived from conifers such as pine.
Can you use a propane torch to solder copper pipe?
Torch. 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 should I wait to turn water on after soldering?
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.
How long can flux sit before soldering?
Been working with a plumber mate of mine today, he says two days tops, but depends on conditions and manufacturer.
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.
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.
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.
Can you solder pipe with electrical solder?
The acid flux in plumbing solder differs from electrical solder, which contains rosin flux. Making the opposite switch—substituting electrical solder to join plumbing pipes—is now illegal in many areas of the country. Electrical solder is commonly a 60/40 blend of lead and tin.
Why is soldering going to be illegal?
The reason soldering is not allowed for home (or for any power wiring) is a metallurgical problem with solder and copper. Solder is a solid solution of tin and lead.
Is soldering going to be illegal?
Since the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986 the use of lead-containing solders in potable water systems has effectively been banned nationwide. The major impact of the Act has been on solder containing 50% tin and 50% lead (50-50), until then the most widely used solder for drinking water systems.
What’s the difference between electrical solder and plumbing solder?
Perhaps the key difference between electrical and plumbing solder is the type of flux used in each application. Typically, electrical solder contains rosin core flux; plumbing solder uses an acid-based flux.
