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Soldering a Copper Pipe Joint

Plumber Jack O'Leary shows Bob how to sweat a copper pipe joint. Jack cleans the pipe ends and fittings prior to applying the flux and explainsthe purpose of each step.

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Clip Transcript For:

Soldering a Copper Pipe Joint

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" -And this time we're talking about copper piping right?"

" -You're right."

" -Now what are the most important things to do what you're when you're joining two pieces of copper, when you're soldering them together to make sure you don't have leaks?"

" -Well, the most important is to clean it really well because copper has residue from the factory and oils, so you want to clean this really well, get it down to rough [unk]."

" -What are you cleaning it with?"

" -This is Emory cloth"

" -Yeah."

" -So we clean all the pipes, the fittings are already cleaned."

" -And you clean the inside of the fittings by using a little brush like this right?"

" -Exactly. This is-"

" -Which is basically a brass brush."

" -So you would just stick it in there and-"

" -Yeah."

" -It gets it nice and clean. Now we're ready for flux."

" -And the flux is essentially an agent for the solder."

" -Yes, the flux heats up and draws the solder right into the fitting so you have a good joint. So, we put this elbow right here."

" -Now, is that the hot, or the cold?"

" - That's the hot. We're the shower valve, hot's always on the left cold's on the right."

" -Okay, and of course these pipes are going directly into the basement of the house all the way to the water heater. "

" -That's right."

" -Okay."

" -We'll bring in new feeds right up to the new addition here."

" -Now, why is it that you space the two pipes this far apart? You know, a lot of people would wonder why can't you just put the two and together and strap them up somehow."

" - Well, you want to keep them further apart; you don't want them rattling. You have to secure them real tightly like they are right now. And it's just a neater looking job if you keep everything parallel."

" -And you can't bend anything right?"

" -No, it's illegal to bend anything."

" -Yeah."

" -So, what we will do is put these joints up like this. And then this flux is up. And now, we're going to be ready to solder."

" -Yeah. Even though it looks harder to put two elbows and a nipple in there to get over there, that's the way you meet the code."

" -That's how you meet it."

" -You ready to solder?"

" -Now we're to solder. How about the torch? We're going to heat the back of this joint right here Bob so the solder flows right into that joint. -We'll just have to hold that for about thirty seconds or so and then you can start applying the solder."

" -Exactly."

" -Now there was a fair amount lot of controversy in years past about lead content in these joints. And, what has the industry done about that?"

" -It's illegal to use any lead in solder. I'm going to be wiping that joint right here."

" -So all the solder is lead free."

" -This is all lead free solder. This gives you a nice neat looking joint by wiping it."

" -And the flux of course, draws that solder right into this."

" -Right into the back of the fitting drives it all the way."

" -Yeah, good."

" -We wanna wipe it again."

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Copper Pipe Joints

First use fine sandpaper to clean the inside of the fitting and the ends of the pipe. Then brush flux onto your fitting. Join the pipes together and use a propane torch to heat the fitting, not the pipe; that pulls the solder into the joint. If the copper turns black, it's too hot. Now, wipe off the excess, and that's all there is to it.