10 Tips for Soldering Copper Pipes

Today there is a relatively new product in the plumbing industry known as PEX tubing. This tubing is now being used in place of copper lines that provide water throughout your home. Though PEX is now widely used in new homes, most homes across America have copper pipes that supply both hot and cold water to numerous different items throughout your home.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with copper pipe. Its a tried and true product that has been around for decades. There is no reason to replace your copper pipes with PEX. If you decide to either make repairs to your copper pipes or add additional copper pipe for a new appliance you will need to know how to solder. If you have copper pipe in your home and need to solder a joint, following the tips listed below will make the process go smoothly.

1. Purchase a quality propane torch. The torch should be easy to handle and easy to both turn on and to turn off.

2. Purchase solder that is lead free. You do not want lead in any of your water lines.

3. Makes all cuts with an appropriate tubing cutter. The tubing cutter assures a straight, clean cut which is essential for a solid solder joint.

4. Use emery cloth to clean and scuff every solder joint. The emery cloth will clean any contaminants from the surface of the copper pipe.

5. Use a quality flux to clean and prep all copper surfaces that will be soldered. The flux cleans the copper and draws the solder into the joint assuring a strong joint.

6. Purchase a flame retardant rag to place against any flammable surfaces near the solder joint. The heat and open flame used to solder a joint is also sufficient to ignite surrounding wood and could burn your house down without the proper protection.

7. Purchase gloves that will shield your hands from the high heat of the propane torch.

8. Completely evacuate all water from the lines to be soldered. Even a trace of water could prevent you from being able to solder.

9. Inspect the soldered joint for any irregularities. make sure the solder bead looks uniform and goes around the entire joint.

10. Heat the pipe in the area that you want the solder to flow to. The hot pipe will draw solder in the direction of heat, thus pulling solder into a joint.

By following these simple tips and safety guidelines you will have great success at soldering copper pipe. Remember, a pipe heated with a propane torch will remain too hot to handle for up to 30 minutes. Use caution around the open flame and avoid burning yourself or surrounding objects.