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.
Is solder safe for water pipes?
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.
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.
Can I use lead solder for plumbing?
Under the Water Fittings Regulations and Byelaws, the use of lead solder for jointing copper pipes is prohibited in plumbing systems which supply water for drinking, cooking or bathing. Solder containing lead can only be used on water installations not used for drinking, such as closed circuit central heating systems.
Can I use silver solder for plumbing?
Oatey® Silver Lead Free Plumbing Wire Solder is a silver bearing wire solder designed for plumbing and potable water line applications. Safe Flo Silver Lead Free Solder is also effective on stainless steel, brass alloys, chrome alloys, galvanized steel and cast iron piping.
Is plumbing solder toxic?
Why are Solder Fumes Considered a Health Hazard? When solder wire is heated, fumes are produced that contain various chemicals. Breathing of these fumes can cause asthma or aggravate existing respiratory conditions. The fumes can also cause irritation of the upper respiratory tract, eyes and skin.
How do you know if solder is lead free?
Yes you can tell if lead solder has been used. It will be duller than lead free when cooled, and should be easily spotted by a trained eye. Lead solder can be added to lead free with no problem.
Can you join copper pipe without welding?
It is possible to connect a copper pipe without soldering. Copper has found a home in many types of piping systems, from hot and cold potable water to fire protection systems.
How do you connect two pipes without threads?
Use a stainless steel coupling if the galvanized pipe is in a damp position to avoid problems associated with rust. Unthreaded galvanized pipe connects together using a coupling. Connecting together galvanized pipes that are non-threaded uses a coupling that creates a sealed joint.
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.
Do you have to use flux when soldering copper pipes?
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.
Is there a difference between electrical and plumbing solder?
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.
Is it safe to use leaded solder?
Soldering with lead (or other metals used in soldering) can produce dust and fumes that are hazardous. In addition, using flux containing rosin produces solder fumes that, if inhaled, can result in occupational asthma or worsen existing asthmatic conditions; as well as cause eye and upper respiratory tract irritation.
When was lead solder banned plumbing?
The use of lead for water service lines was permitted by the National Plumbing Code of Canada until 1975, while lead solder was permitted until 1986. Solder containing lead for drinking water supplies was prohibited under this code after 1990.
What is silver solder for plumbing?
What Is Silver Solder? This silver alloy — also known as Sn-Ag-Cu alloy — is rich in tin (Sn), contains 3.0 – 5.0% copper (Cu), and 0.3 – 0.7% silver (Ag). Its make-up forms a strong solder and is often used for mechanical joints.
Is silver solder different than regular solder?
The silver solder itself is not going to be as strong as copper or aluminum bonding wires. Silver solder does have a higher melting point than other silver solders, which means it’s more durable and may be able to withstand high-temperature welding projects better than some other silver solders on the market.
Can I solder copper with silver solder?
A simple way of soldering together a piece of copper and a piece of silver is to use a technique called sweat soldering. Now, with a small amount of easy silver solder coated in flux and placed at the very end of some fine tweezers, you can begin to heat it with your hand torch.
What is plumbing solder made out of?
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.
Does copper pipe solder have lead?
Plumbing installed before 1930 is most likely to contain lead. Copper pipes have replaced lead pipes in most residential plumbing. However, the use of lead solder with copper pipes is widespread. Experts regard this lead solder as the major cause of lead contamination of household water in U.S. homes today.
Are solder fumes bad?
All solder fumes can cause occupational asthma and other health problems (leaded and lead-free) if used for long periods at a time. The best solder wire contains something called Rosin that helps the solder flow when hot. This causes asthma if you are over exposed and is irreversible.
How can you tell the difference between lead solder and lead-free solder?
You should also have longer dwell times as a result of the higher melting points. In addition spread or wetting will be slightly slower when using lead-free solder. While traditional tin/lead solder joints are shiny, lead-free solder joints are a little dull in appearance.
Is all solder lead-free?
Most electronic manufacturers use solder to stick components to PCBs. Whether it is a lead-free or a leaded solder, they all serve the same function. Nevertheless, various devices and use cases utilize different soldering techniques.
How do you identify solder?
You can tell if solder has a core by melting some on a piece of paper – it will leave a greasy, maybe sticky spot if it has a core. Thin solder that leaves a sticky spot when melted should be electronic solder.
