How to Solder Copper Pipes

Learning how to solder copper pipes is a great project for beginners, as long as you know a few safety precautions and follow an orderly process. Before you begin, be sure to have all the necessary tools and items. This article will teach you the proper techniques for soldering copper pipes safely, as well as how to apply flux at the contact points. To learn more about plumbing soldering, check out our tips for beginners. To solder copper pipes, you’ll need a tin of flux and insulated gloves. The heat from the torch will draw the solder to the pipe’s joint. You’ll need about four inches of solder to make a proper solder joint. You’ll also need a flame, so be sure to keep one side of the pipe away from a flame. To warm up the solder, you can either apply droplets of flux to the pipe or use your hands. The proper way to solder copper pipes is to apply a high intensity of heat. A propane torch is typically used to apply heat to a joint. A soldering iron will not do this. When you’re soldering copper pipes, it’s important to apply heat as evenly as possible around the fitting. The amount of heat that will be needed will depend on the type of fitting. For example, if the pipe is a female-to-female union, it’s important to use a large enough flame to melt the solder. Learn how to solder copper pipes by following these steps: Clean the pipe thoroughly. Copper pipes are porous and a small burr inside can affect the flow of water. To make sure that the joint is solid and secure, thoroughly clean the pipe’s tubing and fittings. You should then apply flux to the surfaces in order to remove any corrosion and apply a layer of flux. The flux is an acidic paste that chemically etches the copper. Once these steps have been completed, you’ll be ready to solder copper pipes. If you’re not sure about the procedure, you can consult with a professional. Plumbing supplies stores will have all the materials you need to perform this project. You can find these at a hardware store, plumbing supply house, or heating supply house. If you’re going to use a solder pipe, be sure to use male/female adapters and reducing adapters. Elbow joints, for example, are used to connect solder pipe with threaded pipe. There are 45-degree and 90-degree elbow joints available. To prevent the pipes from cracking, you should first deburr the end. Using a tube cutter can help you avoid this. These tools come with a sharp blade that scores the metal. You can tighten the clamp to fit the pipe, but be sure to align it with the length of the pipe. Remember to avoid over-tightening the pipe as it can crush the pipe. The next step is to cut the copper pipe to the desired length. Click here to learn more about new combi boiler derby.