Any type of plumbing work is hard but there are some projects that aren’t impossible to complete yourself. Soldering your copper pipes together happens to be one of them. Don’t get the wrong impression, though – we said that the task isn’t impossible, which doesn’t make it easy as replacing a showerhead, for example.
In this article, we are going to show you two copper pipe bonding options that you can try out at home. Without further ado, read more about…
This sort of project isn’t very easy on the budget – it requires quite an impressive list of materials. We advise getting everything needed ahead of time in order to avoid last-minute shopping trips. Here is what you have to purchase for the job:
Now that you’ve purchased all of the materials that this project requires, the first that you should do is…
Get some sandpaper or emery cloth and remove the copper oxide from the tubing area, which you have to insert into the fitting afterwards. You need to do this both on the inside and outside of the surface. It is vital for the project that all type of dirt, oils, grease, etc. is removed, so you don’t end up with a leaky joint.
The same rule applies to water, as well. Make sure to thoroughly wipe the joints. Any present water will stop the soldering process, which can result in, you guessed it, a leaky fitting.
After you’re done with the cleaning part, you need to make sure to apply a good amount of solder flux to the area and then connect the fitting and tubbing. Again, you need to brush the product both on the inside and outside of the part.
Light up the torch and tackle the device until you get a blue coloured flame. Place the flame right next to the connected fitting and tubbing. Move it around the parts where you are going to place the solder afterwards. Do this very carefully, slowly and make sure to test the melting point of the material. You can do this by pressing the tip of the wire to the joint.
Position the tip of the flame on the tubing and touch the tip of the solder to the joint part. You want the solder to fill the space between the fitting and the tubbing. If you are working on bigger fittings, you’ll have to concentrate the flame ahead of the melted solder for this to happen.
Remove all the excess liquid solder that you see with a piece of cloth, preferably a clean, cotton one. Carefully spray the area with a bit of water to set the solder. This will prevent the joint from moving around and creating a weak spot.
Get rid of any type of dirt, loose solder beads, etc. from the inside of the tubing after you are done with the whole soldering process. You can do this by using fresh water to flush the piping. This will also help you examine your work for any potential leaks.
Fantastic Services is here for you!
If you don’t fancy the idea of dealing with fire, there is a heat-free solution that you can try, which is also a bit more budget-friendly. Without further ado – here is how to solder a copper pipe without a flame:
Soldering copper pipes together is no easy task and on top of that, it’s also a very expensive one. A lot of pricy materials are involved, which you won’t use in the future, the actual job is time-consuming – the list just doesn’t end. With that in mind, why don’t you just leave the whole thing in the hands of the professionals?
Fantastic Services offers expert plumbing solutions for situations exactly like this one. The specialists we work with are trained, vetted and work with high-quality equipment, tools, and materials. Their work schedule is extremely flexible and you can book them for any day of the week, including on public holidays. Don’t waste time wondering how to solder copper water pipes and give Fantastic Services a call today!
Visit the main website for price rates on our professional plumbers!
Did you found our article on how to solder copper pipes helpful? Leave your thoughts and advice regarding the topic in the comment section below!
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Have you ever needed to solder a copper pipe in your life? Did you do it yourself, or did you call a professional? Tell us in the comments!
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