Table of Contents
How do you remove old solder copper pipe?
Can you Unsweat a copper pipe?
Sweat or unsweat copper pipe joints with a hand-held torch. Plumbers join copper pipe with a torch and soldering paste in a process called sweating pipe. The plumber applies the solder to the juncture of the pipe and fitting, making it watertight and permanent. This process is known as unsweating pipe.
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.
Can you Desolder and Resolder copper pipe?
Unsoldering Procedure Keep the heat over the fitting. After doing so, you can now twist the fitting with the pliers to detach it from the pipe. On the other hand, if you want to unsolder a part of a copper pipe due to leak, you can remove only the pipe that is leaking.
What is a desoldering wick?
Desoldering braid or “wick” is a pre-fluxed copper braid that is used to remove solder, which allows components to be replaced and excess solder (e.g. bridging) to be removed.
Can you Resolder copper?
Copper Pipe: If you’re making a repair, you’ll need a short stretch of copper pipe. Otherwise, you’re working on existing copper pipes that need a fitting soldered on. Solder: Also called soldering wire, this is what melts and flows into the joint between two pieces of copper pipe.
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.
Can copper pipe fittings be reused?
Copper pipes and fittings are used in many plumbing systems. Copper pipes are usually connected together using a variety of fittings, including elbows, T’s and couplings. You can remove copper fittings and reuse them by following a straightforward procedure that requires a moderate amount of time and effort.
What will dissolve solder?
Fluroboric acid (0.3M) with hydrogen peroxide (0.2M) selectively removes solder quite nicely.
Can you remove solder without soldering iron?
Touch the cold flat head screwdriver to the liquid solder, and quickly remove it. If done properly, the solder should adhere to the cold screwdriver and can be removed from the surface. This can damage the area surrounding the solder beyond repair.
How do you Desolder without tools?
Use something called solder wick. Its a rosin flux impregnated fine copper braid – comes in several widths but it will wick the solder out of joints. Usually cut the leads of the component being removed, heat and pull the leads out, then use the wick to absorb the solder out of the holes.
What is a desoldering tool?
A desoldering pump, colloquially known as a solder sucker, is a manually-operated device which is used to remove solder from a printed circuit board. When triggered by pressing a button, the piston springs up, creating suction that sucks the solder off the soldered connection.
Can you solder old copper fittings?
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.
Do you need a wick to Desolder?
Knowing how to use a solder wick, which is braided copper wire that allows you to remove solder from joints you need to alter, is important if you work on electronics. If you’re new to soldering, you should have solder wick ready in case you need to correct any mistakes you make.
What is copper solder wick?
Desoldering braid or “wick” is a pre-fluxed copper braid that is used to remove solder, which allows components to be replaced and excess solder (e.g. bridging) to be removed.
Can I use sandpaper to clean copper pipe?
Pros clean copper with strips of 120-grit emery cloth, which is usually sold alongside the solder and flux on hardware and home center shelves (Photo 3). But fine steel wool or regular 120-grit sandpaper will do in a pinch.
When did they stop using copper pipes in houses?
Copper was the plumbing pipe of choice from the 1950s until 2000 and was widely used both in new construction and to replace the galvanized steel water supply pipes that had been the standard into the 1950s. But copper’s use has gradually faded, due to the introduction of PEX plumbing tubing.
Why is the solder not sticking 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 is the difference between soldering and sweating?
“Sweating” and “soldering” are synonymous terms used to describe the process of using heat and solder to join copper pipe and fittings to one another. You can tell your neighbor you’re heading downstairs to “solder” a joint—but “sweating” makes you sound much more worldly and DIY hip.
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.
