Soldering joints All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[gerryyy]

Please explain the tools and how i go a bout doing this...Do little plumbing in my job as fitter, sick of using compression joints

[thedoctor]

Look at the DIY Projects pages, Soldering copper pipes

[bobplum]

why not try speedfit joints
bob

[htg engineer]

You need a gas bottle and torch, you can get ones that have an igniton built in (no searching round for matches or a lighter) but can be quite expensive.

The all you need is flux, solder and wire wool. Ensure all joints are clean (fittings and pipe).

If using yorkshire fittings (with a ring of solder in the fitting) there's enough solder in the fitting to make the joint, if you use extra solder the joint may look a mess as there'll be alot of excess solder and snots on the pipe/fitting. Although with practice you can get good, clean, neat joints - whether you apply extra solder or not.

End feed fittings you need to apply the solder when the pipes and fittings gets hot.

Before filling the pipework, ensure the solder has ran right around the fitting (visual check) re-soldering cannot be done when the pipe is full of water - if you fail to make the joint first time you need to ensure all the water is out of that bit of pipework before you start re-soldering.


htg