Table of Contents
What kind of solder should be used on water pipes?
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.
Can you solder water pipes?
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.
Is electrical solder and plumbing solder the same?
Perhaps the key difference between electrical and plumbing solder is the type of flux used in each application. The flux also aids wetting, helping the solder to flow and bond with the metals more readily. Typically, electrical solder contains rosin core flux; plumbing solder uses an acid-based flux.
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 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.
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.
Can wire solder be used for plumbing?
Electrical solder is commonly a 60/40 blend of lead and tin. Because of the dangers of toxic lead in drinking water, local building codes now legally require the use of lead-free plumbing solder on all potable water plumbing connections that require soldering.
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.
Can I use electrical solder on copper pipe?
Electrical solder is often a softer alloy, so it won’t withstand pressure as well. Definitely flux the pipe fittings as you normally would. You won’t get good coverage with the flux in the solder.
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.
Do you apply flux to both sides?
Wipe both sides of the joint with flux This helps solder flow into the joint. The alloy melts and coats the inside of the joint and helps ensure a solder joint that’s completely filled and leakproof.
Can you use solder without flux?
Yes, solder can be used without flux. To do so, you will need something other than flux to break down the oxides on the metal surface, without which your surface may be damaged or not properly cleaned.
Do you have to clean off flux?
Yes, flux should be cleaned off of a printed circuit board (PCB) after soldering is completed. The following are the reasons to remove flux residues: If the flux residue chars and forms spots on the solder joints, it may look like a true defect like a solder joint void or “blow hole”.
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.
Do you need flux with acid core solder?
Acid Core Solder contains flux, however additional flux may be necessary to ensure proper flow of solder wire. Join parts together.
What kind of torch do you use to solder copper pipe?
The torch needed for soldering copper can be propane or MAPP gas (methylacetylene-propadiene propane). MAPP gas comes in a yellow tank and propane comes in a blue tank. MAPP gas, usually a bit more expensive, gets much hotter than propane, so heats the pipe faster.
Which flux is used for copper soldering?
No. 135 Superior Flux Number No. 135 Description Rosin Paste Flux – OK for Electronics Rec. Base Metals Copper Rec. Solders Tin-Based; Lead-Free or Lead-Bearing Rec. Temp Ranges 95-315°C / 200-600°F.
At what temperature does plumbing solder melt?
Most home plumbing repairs use soldering materials, which are generally heated to temperatures around 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes, the temperatures need to be hotter, and an alloy that melts at 840 degrees or less is considered solder.
Can you solder upside down?
Once you do several joints “upside down”, it will be just as easy as doing it “right side up”. Since you are using 1/2″ pipe, it should take about 1/2″ of solder to do the “upside down” side of the fitting.
Does plumbing solder go off?
Soldered joints should not generally go bad. If there is deterioration around a joint, it will most often be a badly soldered joint or deterioration of the actual metal pipe.
Why does my solder stick to my tip?
Clean the iron using gypsum or wire wool (don’t file, especially with plated tips) and immediately apply solder to the tip. If you have done it properly, the solder will adhere to the tip. If you have done it incorrectly, the solder will melt in blobs and fall off.
