Can I solder old copper pipe?
Prepare the Copper Pipe The pipe needs to be dry before you can solder anything. After you’ve cleaned the inside of the pipe fitting, make sure the pipe itself is clean too. You’ll need to make sure the pipe is free of buildup, dirt and fingerprints. Clean the pipe by removing any burrs.
What kind of solder do you use for copper pipes?
lead-free solder
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.
How long should you wait after soldering copper pipe?
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 I solder over old solder?
Re-using old solder can work, but it’s also possible to form a bad or cold joint (that looks good), so it’s usually better to take the 2 minutes and clean it off. Re-heating old solder will mix contaiminants on the surface into the joint itself.
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 long after soldering can I turn on water?
You only need to wait at least 30 seconds after soldering to turn your water on. While this is the very least amount of time that you have to wait, most people recommend putting your tools and equipment away first, then turning the water on just to be sure that the solder has had time to cool completely.
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.
What kind of torch should I use to solder large copper pipes?
Another top-quality butane torch for soldering copper pipe is the Dremel 2200-01 Versa Flame Multifunction Butane Torch. This product is highly recommended for a number of applications and is packed with so many useful features such as integrated ignition trigger and flame controls.
What is the best way to solder copper?
Heat the iron up and apply a small bead of solder to the tip. Bring this into contact with the joint to be soldered and wait. It may take ten or twenty seconds for enough heat to transfer to the part to melt the solder. Occasionally tap the tip of the solder to the joint to see when it is hot enough.
What does solder do you use on copper tubing for plumbing?
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 solder copper tubing?
To solder copper pipe you must heat the copper pipe and the fitting to be soldered to a sufficient temperature. When the copper is hot enough, it will actually draw the solder into the joint by capillary attraction.