Need help with copper pipe soldering

[grohl]

Water heater project: connecting a new cold water intake due to leaking 3/4 in valve.

So, I used the torch to remove the old valve. The pipe was cleaned, sanded, and fluxed. I heated the joint, applied the solder, and the first try was a really leaky seal. I heated the joint and removed the pipe - it was like the joint took up NO solder at all - no capillary action and the bead of solder was right at the joint. I recleaned and tried a few more times but the joint is not taking up ANY solder. I've checked a couple of videos, changed solder, kind of frustrated. Outside of calling a plumber, any advice?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Each time you are recleaning, sanding and fluxing the joint right? Sounds like you're not heating the pipe hot enough.

 

[Howard]

Lead-free solder, I assume? Propane fuel?

 

[JRich]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Each time you are recleaning, sanding and fluxing the joint right? Sounds like you're not heating the pipe hot enough.

Bingo. Get that heat up.

 

[boomerang]

The only advice I could offer is that the pipes should melt the solder, not the torch melting the solder.

 

[grohl]

Yes, I am filing/sanding/cleaning with each attempt until it's shiny copper again.

Yes, lead-free solder and propane torch.

Hot enough? Maybe too hot - I just found a source saying if its too hot it will boil off and not uptake

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: boomerang
The only advice I could offer is that the pipes should melt the solder, not the torch melting the solder.

Exact same reason why electronics soldering guides explicitly say not to apply solder to the joint with the iron, but rather to the joint directly. If the metals aren't hot enough they won't wet well.

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: grohl
Yes, I am filing/sanding/cleaning with each attempt until it's shiny copper again.

Yes, lead-free solder and propane torch.

Hot enough? Maybe too hot - I just found a source saying if its too hot it will boil off and not uptake

Could be. I usually have the heat on one side and the solder on the other. Once the solder starts to melt, I more or less remove the heat. I mean sometimes you have to apply a little more heat if the solder stops flowing. Kind of hard to explain.

 

[Lounatik]

Originally posted by: boomerang

Originally posted by: grohl
Yes, I am filing/sanding/cleaning with each attempt until it's shiny copper again.

Yes, lead-free solder and propane torch.

Hot enough? Maybe too hot - I just found a source saying if its too hot it will boil off and not uptake

Could be. I usually have the heat on one side and the solder on the other. Once the solder starts to melt, I more or less remove the heat. I mean sometimes you have to apply a little more heat if the solder stops flowing. Kind of hard to explain.

You have it right. It's called "walking" the solder around the pipe. You do have to be careful that you don't apply too much heat, because thaen you can blow a hole in the pipe. Keep the heat on one side for a while until the solder starts to liquefy and then back it off a bit. The solder should creep around the pipe as you heat it up.

Peace

Lounatik

 

[bctbct]

You dont have chunks of solder falling off do you?

 

[richardycc]

wow noone has mentioned that you really need to get rid of ALL the water inside the pipe, you can't solder with ANY water still inside the pipe. I bet this is your problem.

 

[sierrita]

Originally posted by: richardycc
wow noone has mentioned that you really need to get rid of ALL the water inside the pipe, you can't solder with ANY water still inside the pipe. I bet this is your problem.

Who is this "noone" and why can't I find his post?

 

[NoShangriLa]

Solder is the better way to go, however there are such things as shark-bite fittings & valves if you have difficult with soldering.

Try a few practice run on an un use pipe & couplings before apply your skill to the real thing.

 

[bctbct]

Originally posted by: richardycc
wow noone has mentioned that you really need to get rid of ALL the water inside the pipe, you can't solder with ANY water still inside the pipe. I bet this is your problem.

thats why I asked about the chunks of solder falling off, thats usually a sign.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: richardycc
wow noone has mentioned that you really need to get rid of ALL the water inside the pipe, you can't solder with ANY water still inside the pipe. I bet this is your problem.

thats why I asked about the chunks of solder falling off, thats usually a sign.

Yea if there is ANY water it will not stay hot enough. Put some bread in the pipe to get it dry. it will break up when it gets wet. Old trick I have used a couple times.

 

[Analog]

A piece of advice. Take it apart, clean sand and flux all the way around. Put back together and heat by moving the flame around the pipe evenly. You can tell there is enough heat when the flame begins to take a greenish hue around the copper pipe. Thats when I apply the solder to the JOINT, and the flame is away. It should wet and suck into the joint all the way around. I then use a leather glove and rag and quickly wipe around the joint to make it look good before the solder has hardened.

 

[laurenlex]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: richardycc
wow noone has mentioned that you really need to get rid of ALL the water inside the pipe, you can't solder with ANY water still inside the pipe. I bet this is your problem.

thats why I asked about the chunks of solder falling off, thats usually a sign.

Yea if there is ANY water it will not stay hot enough. Put some bread in the pipe to get it dry. it will break up when it gets wet. Old trick I have used a couple times.

We have a WINNER! The bread soaks up water and buys you enough time to get 'er done.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: sierrita

Originally posted by: richardycc
wow noone has mentioned that you really need to get rid of ALL the water inside the pipe, you can't solder with ANY water still inside the pipe. I bet this is your problem.

Who is this "noone" and why can't I find his post?

Would that be Peter Noone...from Herman's Hermits? (60's british band for youse youngsters)

 

[Old Hippie]

Would that be Peter Noone...from Herman's Hermits? (60's british band for youse youngsters)

'Enery the 8th?

 

[Jugernot]

Flux about .25" above where the fitting is going to go. That allows the solder to be drawn into the joint.

Two, don't try to solder with water in the pipe.