5 Easy Steps to Cap a Copper Pipe

Looking for a quick and easy way to coat a copper pipe? Traditional methods such as torch soldering can be complicated for even the most experienced home plumber.

Push to Connect fittings are a faster, hassle-free alternative to soldered or mechanical connections. These fittings might be expensive, but for most homeowners, the ease of use outweighs the cost. With push-to-connect fittings, you can coat any copper pipe in minutes.

Read on to find out how the cap a copper pipe without breaking a sweat.

Understand how Push To Connect covers work

Plumbers use the term push-to-connect to refer to a pipe cap used instead of the soldered or mechanical pipe covering methods. An example of a popular push-to-connect brand is SharkBite, a name people commonly use to refer to any type of push-to-connect fitting.

Also known as push-to-fit, these caps consist of pointed inner barns and gaskets that hug the pipe tightly preventing leaks. Some local utility codes may prohibit use snap-on caps for connection so you should check with the health regulations in your area.

There are many types of push-to-connect fittings. Common ones include adapters, couplings and elbows, all of which do as good a job as soldering with a gun, while saving time and effort.

Things you’ll need to coat copper pipes

  • Push-to-connect covers
  • Pipe cutter
  • Metal file
  • Roulette
  • Creator
  • Emery cloth
  • Piece of cloth

Step by step guide on how to coat a copper pipe

Follow these easy steps to learn how to cover copper pipe using snap caps.

Step 1: Turn off the water and drain the pipe

Turn off the main water supply. Since you will be cutting the pipe, shutting off the water supply at the main shutoff valve lowers the pressure in the pipe and ensures that you do not flood the house.

Make sure the pipe has as little water inside as possible. Draining the pipe minimizes the amount of water spilled when you cut the pipe. You can drain the poop by running a faucet lower than the pipe or a faucet outside the house.

Step 2: Cut the pipe

When cutting the pipe, make sure the cut is clean and straight so that the connecting cap fits snugly. A pipe cutter is a better alternative to a saw if you want to make a clean cut on pipes.

Pro Tip: Leave enough pipe to avoid adding and extending when you need to reconnect the pipe.

Step 3: Wipe the end of the pipe

A clean pipe is the secret to a comfortable lid; any metal chips will prevent the push-to-connect cap from fitting properly, resulting in leaks.

Use a rag to clean the cut pipe, removing metal shavings. File all rough edges so that there are no gaps between the pipe and the sealing cap. A mental file will do the trick, but if you opt for an emery cloth, be gentle to avoid sanding the pipe and reducing the original diameter. Making the pipe less round and smaller than the original size will prevent the cap from fitting properly.

Step 4: Mark the depth of each end of the pipe

Measure the length of the push-to-connect fitting using a tape measure. Transfer this measurement to the pipe and put a mark that will show you how far the cap should go so you know it’s a complete fit.

Then, simply insert the open end of the cap into the end of the pipe you want to cover. Push the fitting along the pipe until it reaches the depth mark you made on the pipe. Listen for a click, indicating that the pipe has hit the end of the cap.

Step 5: Check if the cap fits

Make sure the pipe is not leaking at the coverage point. There’s nothing worse than assuming your SharkBite cover is safe only to end up back in a flooded room or basement.

To check that the cover fits, turn the water shutoff valve back on, let the water start running again, and check for leaks around the covered area.

Most push-fit caps come with a special tool that you can use to remove the fitting at any time. The tool is usually a small plastic piece of equipment that you push against the cap, which eventually releases it.

This is! Now you know how to coat copper pipe using a SharkBite or push-to-connect fitting.

If you want a permanent seal, it is better to use the soldering method to cover the copper pipes. In the next section, I’ll show you a simple method of coating a copper pipe with solder. Read on to learn.

Step by step guide on how to solder copper pipe

Push-to-connect fittings are easy to use, but are best used as a temporary solution rather than a permanent one. These fittings can slip if there is a lot of pressure inside the pipe, leading to leaks and potential flooding if you don’t catch the leaks early enough.

Soldering is a more demanding process, but it is also safer if you want to permanently cover the copper pipe. Follow these steps to coat a copper pipe using the soldering method:

Things you will need:

  • Propane torch
  • Lead free solder wire
  • Copper cap connection
  • Pipe cutter
  • Thin rubber hose
  • Flux paste and brush
  • Emery cloth or steel wool
  • Protective sheet
  • Bucket
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Wet towel

Step 1: Cut and drain the pipe

First, turn off the water at the main supply line before continuing to cut the pipe. Release the pressure inside the pipe by opening a valve and allow the pipe to drain as much as possible.

Next, cut the pipe using a pipe cutter and use the attached reamer to ream the inside of the pipe. The reamer helps remove burrs from the end of the barrel, leaving a smooth distress for the coating.

With the pipe cut, make sure it is completely drained. Insert a thin hose into the open end of the copper pipe. Install a siphon by siphoning the free end of the hose, then hold this end over a bucket to drain the water.

There should be about 25 inches of empty space inside the hose from the open side of the pipe. This vacuum tells you that the copper pipe is completely empty.

Step 2: Dry and clean the cap and pipe

Cleanliness is the key to a strong, leak-free solder joint. Use an emery cloth or steel wool to gently rub the copper pipe until the metal surface is shiny. Rub and shine the copper cap in the same way.

The pipe and cap must be free of debris that could compromise the strength of the soldered joint. Avoid touching the surface of the pipe and the inside of the cap when cleaning them.

Even after draining the pipe, make sure that the inside of the pipe is completely free of traces of water. Use a heat gun to dry the pipe and remove any lingering steam.

Step 3: Apply solder paste flux

Use the flux brush to apply the paste flux to the cut end of the pipe and the inside of the copper cap fitting. Flux helps seal out air to prevent oxidation, clean off oxidized metal left on the pipe, and improve amalgamation if you use liquid solder. Apply the paste generously for best results.

Step 4: Protect combustible surfaces

Use a piece of sheet metal to protect drywall, wall studs, and other combustible surfaces from the heat of the propane torch. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby. Slide the cap fitting over the copper pipe.

Step 5: Apply heat to the cap and pipe

Light a propane torch, ensuring a strong, consistent, cone-shaped flame with a blue center. Next, unwind 7 inches of solder wire from the roll.

Next, bring the propane gun close to the joint between the pipe and the cap fitting and apply a steady amount of heat. Concentrate the heat on the joint to avoid overheating the pipe reminder.

Step 6: Apply glue to the hot joint

Place the tip of the solder wire on the pipe where it meets the edge of the cap fitting. The joint must be hot enough to melt the solder wire.

Put some more solder around the joint and watch the wire melt. Remove the heat, but continue to feed the solder until you see a shiny ring around the joint at the edge of the cap fitting. Also, look for additional drops of solder on the pipe – this is a sign of a well-glued joint.

Step 7: Cool the soldered joint

Watch the joint for a few minutes and make sure there are no small holes in the soldered joint. These tiny holes can end up being a big problem if the pipe starts to leak. Place a damp cloth over the taped seam to cool it.

Step 8: Test the integrity of the soldered joint

After soldering, check for leaks. Turn off the shut-off valve to allow water to flow through the piping system. Look carefully at the joint to make sure there are no holes through which water can leak.

There it is! This is how you cover a copper pipe using the more permanent and leak-proof soldering method. Good luck with your project!