Soldering involves attaching two or multiple interconnecting bits of pipe. To execute the process, you must melt an alloy of metals or solder and use it as glue to join the pipes. Do you want to fix a leaking section in your plumbing system? Why not use readily available materials from your nearest copper fitting manufacturer yourself? Here are the steps to solder copper pipe fitting.

What Tools and Materials Will You Need?

You’ll need various tools and materials, which include:

• Pipe slice or cutter
• Steel plate of flame protection cloth
• A large tube cutter capable of cutting a one-inch tubing
• Fitting brush
• Fire extinguisher
• Pipe reaming tool
• Heat mat
• Gloves
• Emery cloth
• Propane torch and striker for torches without an automatic igniter
• Paste flux
• Lead-free solder
• The copper fitting and pipe you’ll be soldering

Step 1: Cut Your Pipe to the Necessary Length

To cut your pipe neatly, use a pipe slice or cutter. Position your pipe slice around the pipe and fasten it into position through the roller and cutting wheel. Rotate the cutter to loosen your pipe before retightening it. Continue rotating and retightening until you cut the pipe. Watch out for a tiny lip inside the pipe. Use a deburring tool to remove it to prevent unwanted residue buildup.

Step 2: Clean the Fitting and Pipe

Clean your fitting and pipe to achieve the ideal soldered joint. Use an emery cloth and steel brush to clean them and remove the oxide surface layer. A professional copper fitting manufacturer should be able to recommend the best quality fitting brushes or emery cloth to facilitate thorough cleaning.

Step 3: Apply Flux to the Fitting and Pipe

Use a flux brush to apply a thin layer of flux where the joint will form before sliding the fitting and pipe together. Because you can’t directly apply solder into the joint, the flux helps pull the solder inside the joint via capillary action. This guarantees a robust attachment between the fitting and pipe.

A good-quality flux facilitates seamless penetration of surface oxide, eliminating the need for pre-cleaning. Failure to apply the flux increases the risk of the solder forming a superficial layer at the start of the joint, resulting in leaking pipes. Don’t apply too much flux, either, because the excess flux can penetrate the pipe, resulting in pin and pitting hole leaks.

 Step 4: Preparing the Soldering Area

Clear the soldering area to remove any flammable materials. Use a heat mat to secure the area and reduce the fire risk. Assemble all the fittings and pipes that will be soldered. Ensure you’re experienced enough to clean, cut, and apply flux to the pipes and fittings. With your pipes and fittings in position, you can easily solder multiple joints without disrupting them before they cool down.

Step 5: Heat the Copper Pipe Fitting or Joint

You’ll need high-intensity heat to solder copper pipe fitting. Apply heat evenly across the fitting using a propane torch. Because the heat will rise, you must heat it from the bottom of the joint. If you begin at the top, the solder will melt and flow down, creating a mess because the underpart of the joint won’t be hot enough to pull it in.

You must practice to master the application of the right amount of heat. When the heat isn’t enough, the solder will not flow inside the joint, and if you overheat the joint, the flux will burn, start smoking, and blacken, hindering the solder from flowing inside the joint.

Step 6: Apply the Solder to the Pipe’s Joint

Ask your copper fitting manufacturer for a lead-free solder ideal for potable water applications. Place the solder around the joint while the heating progresses until it melts. Once it starts melting easily, generously apply the solder and keep reheating to help draw it inside the joint. If the area requires more solder, brush more flux inside while the section is still warm. The flux will melt and flow inside the gap. You can then reheat and apply more solder.

To check whether the joint is well-filled, run the tip of the solder quickly across the joint’s seam. Bend the solder to create a hook that allows you to reach the joint’s underpart easily. Don’t apply too much solder because that can result in a solder bubble on the underpart of the joint.

Step 7: Resoldering the Joint

Are you soldering copper pipe fittings for the first time? You may need to resold the joint. To do so, start by disassembling the soldered joint. Heat the section and pull it apart with a pair of pliers. Reassembling won’t be easy since the soldier will likely prevent the pipe and fitting from sliding together.

You can navigate this by heating the joint to soften the solder and then reassembling it or sanding the inner part of the fitting and the outer section of the pipe using an emery cloth. After removing the solder, you can reflux the pieces, slide them together, and resold them.

Step 8: Watch Out for Supporting Joints

If your fittings have multiple joints, soldering them together can be tricky because the heat intended for one joint might soften the solder of the adjoining joint, causing it to fall apart. Place the joint next to the one you’re soldering horizontally to prevent this.

Safety Tips to Consider When Soldering Copper Pipe Fitting

Soldering a copper pipe fitting can be dangerous. To guarantee an enjoyable and safe soldering process, you must prioritize safety. Remember, when soldering, you’re exposed to various risks like:

• Burns or other injuries resulting from heat
• Overexposure to lead-based solder through irritation or skin contact can result in lead poisoning. Lead accumulation in the body can cause neurological, kidney, and heart problems.
• Exposure to and inhalation of dangerous fumes. When heated, rosin-based solder and flux produce toxic fumes and may cause eye irritation, asthma, irritation of the airway, and lung problems.
• Accidental fires may occur by accidentally burning flammable objects.
• Understanding the possible dangers helps you take the necessary precautions before, during, and after soldering.

Safety Procedures When Soldering

Observe the following guidelines when soldering.

• Wear long-sleeved safety gloves and glasses to shield yourself from falling flux or molten solder. Avoid soldering directly above you. Watch out for solder droppings if you’re soldering in a confined space.
• Avoid holding the workpieces with bare hands. Instead, use clamps, a soldering vise, or tweezers. If you must touch the workpieces, wear heat-resistant work gloves and proceed cautiously.
• Don’t leave your propane torch on the workbench or floor. Always place it on its stand. Ensure the torch head is switched off before connecting a fuel cylinder.
• Once the propane torch is connected to the cylinder, check for leaks. Dip the connection area in soapy water and look for bubbles. A hissing sound or rotten egg smell could indicate a fuel leak.
• Avoid eating while soldering. Always wash your hands with soap and water after handling solder and flux.
• Wear an approved respirator when working in tight quarters with poor ventilation.
• Don’t inhale fumes and smoke. Use a small fan to eliminate the fumes. Flux fumes can be toxic, and inhaling them when soldering can trigger irritation and damage your respiratory system and mucous membranes.
• Cover your arms and legs with pants and long sleeves to avoid burns from splashing hot solder.

Additional Tips for an Effective Soldering Process

Here are more tips for a successful soldering procedure.

· Use a Flame Protector

It’s important to protect yourself and your home when soldering. Shield flammable material from direct flame using a flame barrier or a fire blanket, which you can buy from your nearest copper fitting manufacturer.

A flame blanket is a fire-resistant fabric you can hang behind the joint you’re soldering. The blanket insulates flammable materials, such as drywall or wood, from heat. Focus on where you point your flame to ensure it’s well protected.

· Secure Soldered Pipes to Prevent melting

When you solder a joint adjacent to an existing fitting, the heat may re-melt the solder on the previous joint, damaging it. To prevent this, wet and wring a thick cloth strip and wrap it around the fitting you intend to secure. The wet cloth will absorb the heat, preventing the solder in the previous joint from melting.

· Never Reuse Old Fittings

If you’re a DIYer, you’ll likely seek viable solutions to save money by reusing materials. However, reusing old connectors and fittings is not recommended. Separating and cleaning old fittings can be time-consuming, and the chances of leaks are high. Buying new fittings from a reputable copper fittings manufacturer is the better option.

· Ensure Pipes are Dry During Soldering

Soldering wet joints can be challenging because the heat will convert the water into steam. As a result, the copper won’t become sufficiently hot to melt the solder. Insert a small piece of white bread inside the pipe to help stop the wetness.

Finally

Are you planning to solder your copper pipe fitting? These steps should help you do it successfully. Strive to understand the risks involved, such as burns, fire, and inhaling toxic flames, and observe the safety soldering procedures to prevent accidents. With proper preparation and practice, you can solder copper pipes easily. As a leading copper fitting manufacturer-Plumberstar, please contact us with any further questions or requirements.