Copper - Soldering Pipe

   Copper pipe and fittings must be clean. Sand the outside end of the pipe and the inside of each fitting with fine sandpaper. Apply flux to both surfaces and assemble the joint. Leave one end of the pipe open to release hot-air pressure.
   Direct the flame of your propane torch to the fitting more than the pipe. Heat all sides evenly. Then touch the tip of the solder wire to the edge of the fitting. If it's hot enough, the solder will flow rapidly into the joint. Allow the pipe to cool before moving it.
   There must not be any water dripping through the line when you solder. It's hard to adequately heat a wet pipe. Even if you get the pipe hot enough to melt solder, the water inside will turn to steam, escape through the joint and ruin the bond. If old valves don't fully shut off the flow, wad a piece of white bread without crust (plumbing can be as fussy as a three-year-old), and stuff it into the pipe before soldering. The bread will hold back the water long enough to solder but will flush away quickly through an open valve once water pressure is restored.











Safety

   Use a heat shield near any flammable surface. Always have a fire extinguisher and a spray bottle filled with water handy when you solder pipe. Remember, you won't have the water turned on when you're working.
   Wear eye protection, a heavy, long-sleeved wool shirt and leather gloves.

Safety-related resources on the Web:
Index of Occupational Safety and Health Resources (http://turva.me.tut.fi/~oshweb/)
National Safety Council (http://www.national-safety-council.ie/)
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html)
Other safety Web sites

Old House

   If you connect new copper piping to older galvanized steel supplies, use a dielectric coupling. This plastic-gasketed fitting separates the copper and steel to prevent corrosion.

Old house resources on the Web:
This Old House (http://pathfinder.com/@@k10SuLF@eglAQBCM/TOH/)
The Tom Hughes Homepage (http://www.inmind.com/people/hughest/)

Other old house Web sites

Related Topics

Shutting Off the Main