How to Solder Copper Pipe
How To Solder Copper Pipe
Find out how to solder copper pipe joints for solar water heating systems
water | education | generalIn our many articles on
Solar Water Heating we have frequently mentioned
copper pipe, but never how to
solder it to make water-tight connections. In this article we will show you how to
solder copper pipe safely and reliably. It is actually very easy as long as you are careful and take your time.
Soldering Copper Pipe
In most
solar collectors 10mm or 15mm
annealed copper pipe is perfect. It is the pipe used most commonly in domestic plumbing and so it, and the related
fittings are the most competitively priced.
In order to to make a joint between two pieces of
copper pipe you need the following:
*
Copper pipe (annealed).
*
End feed joint.
*
Wire wool or
emery cloth - used to remove dirt and grease from the ends of the copper pipe.
*
Rosin flux - a paste which stops the copper pipe from oxidising and helps the solder to flow.
*
Solder (lead free) and a
blow torch - typically propane fuelled.
The two ends of copper pipe to be joined must first be
cleaned well with the wire wool. Any dirt or grease in the joint may cause it to fail and
leak, so make a thorough job of it cleaning until all
oxidation has been removed and the metal
shines like a new penny.
Apply a little
flux to the cleaned ends using a small brush and assemble the joint. Twist the pipe (or joint) backwards and forwards to help to spread the flux throughout the joint. Then, get everything perfectly
lined up how you want the finished joint to be.
Unroll enough solder (at least 12 inches) so that you can hold the tip of the solder against the joint and heat it with a
blowtorch without burning your hand. It is a good idea to
bend the last few inches of the solder at a right angle to make it easier to apply it to the back and underside of the joints.
Apply heat to the
whole joint with the
blowtorch starting with the fitting and then moving the blowtorch flame backwards and forwards over the joints with the copper pipe. When the
flux starts to bubble and smoke a little, remove the blowtorch and
touch the solder at a few points all the way around the ends of each joint.
Solder will be drawn into the small gap between the pipe and the joint by
capillarity. Keep applying solder until there is a perfect
ring of solder around the mouth of the fitting. All ends of the joint must be made at the
same time since if you do one end, let it cool, and move onto the second end, the first end joint will fail when the fitting is reheated.
To give a clean
professional finish, quickly rub off any excess solder from the joints using a slightly
damp cloth, but be careful as the joint will still be very hot.
UK Plumbing Suppliers
Ideally buy your copper pipe and fittings from your local
plumbing merchant so you can get some good free practical advice at the same time, however, it is certainly possible to purchase everything you need
online, and get it delivered to your doorstep at a great price.
There are some great offers on copper
end feed fittings at
eBay UK - click here to search now for
end feed - but once you factor in the free delivery, placing an order for everything you need with
Screwfix is usually more cost effective.
Article Last Modified: 08:34, 16th Aug 2008
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