by Richard Serra

Created on: October 30, 2009

As any new learning experience, getting to master joining copper pipes and fittings takes a few times to get it right. First timers might fore-go a couple of essential steps, and wonder why they don't get it right. There isn't really much to doing a first rate job if some simple steps are taken, and the first would be to make sure the parts to be joined are clean and roughed up a bit using either sandpaper, emery cloth, or a wire brush.

You want the solder to have this kind of a surface so as to bond better, and a good solder joint is a leak proof joint. Both the copper tubing and the fitting should be prepared in this way. In the case of the fitting, sand or wire brush the inside of the fitting as well as the rim of the fitting. Then apply some flux lightly on both outside of pipe, and inside of fitting.

Using a hand torch, heat both fitting and pipe, keeping flame over fitting after give both flame for a while. You'll see the flux begin to bubble and smoke, and at this point hold the torch a little beyond the soldering, about three eights inch on the fitting side. This is so the heat on the fitting draws the solder into the the fitting and around the pipe. Touch the solder around the the fitting end that is joined to the pipe, and as the solder is drawn into the fitting, excess will begin to drip, and at this point remove the flame.

Wipe away any excess flux, and you should see a clean sweat job just like a professional. If for some reason you are not getting the desired results, it's because of uneven heating of the components, which in every case would produce a joint that is most likely to leak. You can see at a glance that if the solder hasn't run smoothly into the fitting, or leaving only a thin film at the edge with a small drop at the bottom, you most likely didn't provide sufficient time or heat to make the solder run smoothly.

Probably the worse case is when you have to sweat a fitting or pipe to another that isn't completely free of water. All the water in the existing pipe must be removed and heated dry. If not, then it's almost impossible to sweat the new components onto the existing pipe.This is usually the case when removing old faucets whereas the tubing is cut, and another is joined to it along with the new faucet.

There always seem to be some water dribbling through the pipe from gravity flow from the second floor, or the floor above where the work is being done. However, practice makes perfect, and there is a sense of pride when you do a good job and it's done right.

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