Copper is commonly used for water pipes in kitchens and bathrooms because the properties of the metal make it an excellent water carrier. It is highly corrosion resistant and incredibly strong. However, this does not mean that leaks are impossible.
If you’ve experienced leaks in your copper pipes, then you’ll want to know how to fix them. Similarly, if you are installing a new system of copper pipes, then you will need to know how to fit them together. The way to do this is through a process known as bonding.
Brazing, sometimes known as sweating, is the process by which two or more metals are fitted together by melting the solder into the joint. Solder for copper pipes is made of tin and other harmless metals. This solder is usually heated to about 600 degrees Fahrenheit to create a secure bond.
While many people will simply call a plumber to do this job, the process of soldering copper pipes together is not that complex for a novice. Today, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to solder copper pipes.
The tools and materials you will need
While the process itself isn’t too complicated, there are some special materials you’ll need if you want to complete the job effectively. They may cost a little, but it will be nothing compared to the cost of hiring a plumber. Here is a list of everything you will need:
- Copper pipes
- Tube cutter
- Thread cleaner
- Emery cloth
- Lead free flux
- Propane torch
- Soldering iron
How to Solder Copper Pipe – Step by Step Instructions
Step 1 – Cut your pipes
The first thing you will need to do is cut your copper pipes. Whether you’re fixing a leak or setting up a new system, you’ll need to buy a new set. The best way to cut your pipes is to use a pipe cutter.
Tube cutters are usually equipped with a cutting wheel and a guide wheel and a cutting wheel. Clamp your copper between these two wheels and rotate the copper pipe just as you would a can of beans and a tin opener. Continue twisting and turning the pipe around the cutter until the pipe comes off. Be sure not to tighten the pipe too tightly or it could cause a dent in the pipe.
While for bathroom/kitchen copper piping, a pipe cutter will do the job perfectly, you may want to consider a hacksaw if the pipe is particularly thick.
Step 2 – Clean the cut
While it may look like you made the cleanest cut possible, you’ll still want to clean the pipe around the cut area. To begin with, when you make the cut with the tube cutter, a copper ridge is forced inside the tube. If you do not clean and remove this ridge, then the water will not flow as smoothly as it should through the pipe.
Additionally, use a wire cleaner with small bristles to clean the inside and outside of the pipe. This will help remove the oxide layer from the surface of the pipe to make it look shiny and smooth.
The thread cleaning method will give you a more thorough cleaning but if you are looking for speed, then use an emery cloth. Roll it into a pipe shape and push it in before turning it inside out. This will give you a nice and quick cleaning of the interior. You can also clean the exterior with emery cloth if you like.
Step 3 – Flux the joint
Now is the time to apply the lead free flux to the pipe joint. Solder cannot be applied directly to the joint, so you need flux to essentially act as a guide for it. The flux will pull the solder into the joint, ensuring a secure and efficient connection.
Use a brush to spread this flux over the pipe joint and on the inside of the fitting you are connecting the pipe to. Push the two parts together so they connect nicely and then wipe off any excess flux that squeezed the ends.
Step 4 – Heat the joint
Use the propane gun to heat the pipe joint in preparation for soldering. Without high heat, the soldering process will not work. Be sure to constantly rotate the propane gun around the copper pipe so that all areas are covered. The last thing you want is for one half of the joint to be hot and the other half to be lukewarm. From time to time tap the soldering iron on the joint to see if it is still hot enough to melt. Once it is, move on to the next step.
Step 5 – Glue the joint
Melt the solder on the joint and then reheat the area. This will ensure that the joint is covered with solder. Continue doing this until you start to see a silver ring wrapped around the entire joint – this is an indication that the solder has been successfully applied to the joint.
You don’t have to go overboard the bonding process as it can become a point where too much has been applied and bubbles start to form on the joint. While this won’t actually affect how strong the copper pipe is, it looks messy and will make you want to start over if you’re someone who likes everything to look fancy.
Once you have completed the soldering process, the joint should now be strong enough to connect the two fittings together and prevent any leaks.
How to re-glue a joint
At the beginning of this article, we discussed the possibility that your current pipes may have been leaking. When this happens, you can either follow the instructions I outlined above to build a new set of copper pipe joints, or you can try to resolder the original pipes (if the leak is coming from the joints).
It could also happen that you follow our instructions above and then, after a few months, realize that you didn’t do as good a job as you could have done. If this is the case, re-liding is an option.
To do this, disassemble the existing joint by heating the joint and then pulling it with a pair of pliers. Don’t try to pull them apart with your hands after reheating them for obvious reasons!
Once the joint pipe has been removed from what it was attached to, heat the joint back until the existing solder begins to soften, then repeat the soldering process I described earlier.
If you want to be more thorough, sand the outside and inside of the pipe fitting with an emery cloth to remove as much solder as possible. Once your pipe looks as fresh as possible, go back to step 3 of our step-by-step process and do a better job this time.
Things to consider before starting this process
Before starting the whole process, there are a few things you need to consider. The first thing is the safety concerns of soldering copper pipes. You will be dealing with equipment that has the potential to cause you serious injury if you make mistakes. For starters, tube cutters can easily cut your skin and that’s the least of your worries.
If your skin is exposed propane torch, or worse the soldering iron, then you will be badly burned. Also, make sure there are no flammable materials nearby when you complete the process, as the propane torch could easily ignite them.
Another thing you should consider is whether calling a plumber to do the job will save you time and money. Sure, if you follow our steps down to one t-shirt and you do everything perfectly, then DIY is the right option. However, if you do a half-baked job and start experiencing frequent leaks in your kitchen and bathroom, then the cost of getting a plumber out to keep fixing it will mean you’ve lost out in the long run.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the process of soldering copper pipes is one that you can do yourself, provided you are careful and follow the instructions. We hope our step-by-step guide has given you everything you need to get the job done safely and efficiently. Leave a comment below to let us know how you’re doing.
