Q&A for How to Solder Copper Tubing

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When there are multiple joints, which one should I solder first?

Community Answer

If it's a mix of just elbows, T's, and couplings, then pick an end to start with and solder across everything to the other end. Moving the heat ahead of the path you're traveling will make the remaining joints easier and faster to solder. You'll also know what's been completed and what hasn't, in case you need to stop to answer the phone or get more flux, solder, or gas. However, if you have a valve with Teflon or rubber seals in the mix, then you want to start at the valve and work your way away from it and any surrounding heavier brass items (because you want to only heat a valve once while the valve's open to minimize or avoid damaging the valve seal(s)).

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Question

How long should I wait to run water through copper tubing after installing?

Community Answer

Copper can be used as soon as it cools; less than a minute is needed.

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Question

How can I solder thin strips of copper to copper tubing?

Community Answer

With sanding (cleaning), fluxing, heating, and soldering in that order. Don't skip any of those steps on all items being attached and you'll be solid. The thin strips can be moderately clamped into place with real (metal) clamps after they're fluxed.

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Question

How much solder does a five-inch pipe need?

Community Answer

It does not need much. Keep in mind, the solder is going to bond anything that has flux paste on it. Go around the pipe once or twice with the solder at an appropriate temperature and you should be okay.

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Question

How do I get rid of leaks that I didn't see until after the water was turned on when I was finished soldering the copper tubing?

Community Answer

You'll have to cut out the bad joint and consider it a practice run. Keep trying till you get a tight joint.

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Question

How does solder bond copper tubing?

Jaa Cooper

Community Answer

Solder creates the bond by creating an alloy between the two surfaces. This means solder and copper metal molecules create the bond with a mix of both through a chemical reaction between the two when the heat is applied.

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Question

How do I solder vertically?

Community Answer

Keep it in the vertical position. When the solder melts, it will be sucked up into the fitting. It won't drip unless you use too much solder.

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Question

Will tinning flux work for copper pipe?

Community Answer

Use a rosin core solder for copper pipe; that serves as the tinning flux. Do not use acid core though. It will eat your copper.

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