You will be able to save lots of money if you can sweat copper pipes. Though sweating a copper water line is easy, one has to master it to make it last longer. One will be able to sweat and solder copper pipes easily and quickly. Some basic steps can help in doing it.

How to Solder Vertical Copper Pipes?

●      Assembling the Equipment

Copper pipes, Copper Fittings, Tube cutter, Propane torch, a regulator with a built-in igniter, Emery cloth, Flame protector cloth, flameproof gloves, eye gear.

●      Preparing the Pipes

Before sweating the pipe it is important to prepare it. The measurement should be absolutely correct otherwise after sweating it again the whole work has to be destroyed for re-doing it. First, cut the copper tubes properly with a tube cutter. Copper is a soft metal so it can be easily cut with a tube cutter. Fix the copper tubes between the guide wheel and the cutting wheel and rotate it. Keep rotating it till the tube snaps off.

●      Burr Removal

It is very important to remove the burrs otherwise there will be leakage when the water flows. Hence, in the tube cutter, there is a projection that will help you to clean the burrs.

●      Shine Your Pipe with Emery Paper

Cleaning the copper pipe is the best way to ensure leak-proof pipe joints. Hence, clean the outside dirt and ruggedness with the emery paper. No matter how new it might look, give it a few rubs.

Put a flux paste around the cleaned surface and solder it. Leave it to cool for hardening.

How to Solder Copper Pipe to the Brass Fitting?

●      Clean the Fittings

It is very important to clean the copper pipe fittings. Clean it with a special wired brush having the same or less diameter than the fittings. The cleaning can also be done with an emery cloth but your hands might sore. Do not touch the cleaned surfaces once the cleaning is done.

●      Apply Flux

Flux guarantees the cleanliness of the copper pipe. Again brush another layer of flux paste at both ends of the pipe and inside the fittings. Put the copper pipes inside the fittings and press it until gone inside completely. Once done, clean the excess flux.

How to Solder Copper Pipe with Water in it?

  • Stop the trickle with a regulator or a plug. A propane gas torch easily heats the joints and solidifies it as well.
  • While heating the pipe do roll it for even heating. Heating it also melts the flux paste which will fill the joints between the fitting and the pipes but avoid excess heating.
  • Now heat more so that the solder drips out and completely fills the spot. After the completion of one joint starts with another and follows the same pattern.
  • Let the soldering cool down, it will get hard eventually.

Soldering Copper Pipe Problems

  • If soldering is not done properly the leakage will happen after a few months.
  • The risk of getting burned increases while soldering. The metal surfaces should be cleaned well before fluxing and soldering.

Tips to Stay Safe

  • Failing for the first few times is normal.
  • Cover the delicate places with an inflammable cloth.
  • Use gloves, apron, goggles, etc. for soldering.

Can you sweat a copper pipe with water in it?

How do you sweat copper connection?

Don’t try to solder pipes with water in them. Soldering a joint in pipes that contain even tiny amounts of water is nearly impossible. Most of the heat from the torch goes into turning the water to steam, so the copper won’t get hot enough to melt the solder. Stop the trickle of water with a pipe plug.

How do you sweat a vertical copper pipe?

How do you sweat a copper pipe in tight spaces?

Can you use too much flux when soldering?

Can you put copper pipes in the wall?

If you are using normal solder wire, it contains all the flux you need. If you are soldering copper pipe for example, excess flux will simply probably not compromise the joint, but will simply drip away. Excessive flux is just that much more you have to clean off your work.

Is it OK to bury copper pipe?

Remember the water regs you are NOT ALLOWED to bury potable water pipes in walls or concrete. They must be contained within another plastic pipe so that they can be replaced without having to dig them out!

How long will copper pipe last in concrete?

In most cases, the best option for installing copper underground is to bury it in direct contact with the soil. Copper is naturally corrosion resistant to most soils and underground environments.

When did they stop using copper pipes in houses?

Brass and copper pipes tend to last 80 to 100 years.

Is green on copper pipes bad?

Copper was the plumbing pipe of choice from the 1950s until 2000 and was widely used both in new construction and to replace the galvanized steel water supply pipes that had been the standard into the 1950s.

Should copper pipes be replaced?

Patina, or the greenish colour that appears on copper pipes, happens from oxidation. While this oxidized layer is not harmful, it does cause the copper to become corroded. This green colour is known as copper oxide and is basically a rusting of the metal.

Do new houses use copper pipes?

There is no known health reason to remove copper pipes in good condition from your home. You should replace any copper pipe that is showing signs of damage or deterioration, regardless of its age. If your water is chronically acidic, copper piping might not be the best choice for your home.

What is the lifespan of copper pipe?

Copper has been used in the past for both potable water and DWV, and copper DWV fittings are still produced but frequently replaced by new PVC DWV pipes. Copper potable water piping can be supplemented or repaired or replaced by CPVC, Pex, or similar approved plastic pipe system.

Can you mix plastic and copper plumbing?

Copper pipes typically last 20–50 years, so if your plumbing system is older than 20 years, it’s generally not worth trying to save your pipes—especially if you already have pinhole leaks.

Why is PEX plumbing bad?

Making the connection between plastic pipes such as ABS or PVC and metal pipes such as copper or galvanized steel is very straightforward. The chemicals used in the manufacture of any of these pipes do not react with one another, so you don’t have the corrosion factor to worry about.

Why is PEX banned in California?

PEX plumbing system has been used for more years and therefore its failures has been observed and known. Its major failures is linked to piping and fitting. Piping fails when the pipes are exposed to chlorine that is within the water, exposure to direct sunlight before its installation.

What is a disadvantage of copper pipe?

PEX was banned in California due to some concerns about toxic materials leaking through the pipe and into water. Through various national laboratory tests, PEX has proven to be completely safe and durable. It is now legal in California and even included in principal plumbing codes.

What are the disadvantages of PEX?

The disadvantage of Copper pipes is that they sometimes fail when water temperature is above 180 degrees. Furthermore, condensation often forms inside the pipes. When this condensation freezes, it blocks water flow. Another disadvantage is that coppers pipes cause water to have a slight metallic taste.