Plumbing Copper Pipe: Soldering and Sweating Tips

Types of Copper Pipe for Plumbing-Copper pipe is a long lasting pipe for plumbing. It also works well for cooling, heating, and other system that needs durable pipe. In a big country like US, copper pipe is manufactured in large-scale to meet the needs of society. The copper pipe specification also must meet the requirements of testing standard. On the market, there are generally several types that you can see for the item of copper pipe; they are the tube for flawless copper and the flawless tube for water.

The flawless copper water tube is specialized for public installation for the plumbing, such as water service, the distribution for the gas, and special installation of fire dropper. While the seamless copper tube is suitable for home applications, such as air conditioning and refrigeration installation. Here we have tips about plumbing copper pipe, include soldering and sweating the pipe.

Soldering and Sweating Tips for Proper Plumbing of Copper Pipe

Soldering is a most basic and important skill in plumbing cooper pipe. At first, make sure you have solder, flux, torch (propane), and copper pipes. Don?t forget safety glasses and leather gloves as safety equipment. Also don?t forget to make sure the pipe is clean and dry. It?s because water can cause problem in soldering steps. Next, coat the pipe with flux. After that, slide the sleeve carefully onto the pipe. Hold it well. Then, heat the pipe with the torch nigh to the sleeve. Heat until your solder melts on contact. Once it?s melting, touch the solder to the pipe. Make sure you just put it at the right seam where it meets the sleeve. Last, the melted solder pulls into the space between the pipes. It?s named capillary action.

After knowing and practice the soldering steps, now it?s time to conjoin the copper pipe with solder. This is called sweating. Although it seems difficult, actually the sweating step is very simple to do. Just make sure you have the right tools and time. When you decide to cut the copper pipe, choose the best position and use a pipe reamer to cut it. After cut the pipe, clean the pipe thoroughly using a wire brush. This cleaning step will remove the surface layer of oxidized copper. Next, join the pipe to the fitting. Heat the joint with a torch until the solder begins to melt. The capillary action will work to finish the sweating process.

Always prioritize your safety! Don?t forget to wear the glasses. The glasses will avoid you from water/steam burns, especially when holding a lit propane torch. Also be careful when using the solder. An old solder from 60s often has an acid core. It easy to gets hot. So always protect your eyes and skin.

You may need do some practice until you know the best heat of the solder. It will help you from heat up surrounding items accidentally. Practice also will make the job done more quickly. If you follow the steps and tips of soldering and sweating carefully, we?re sure you can finish the process of plumbing copper pipe perfectly.

Summary

Soldering and sweating are important skills in plumbing copper pipe. With right tools and steps, the soldering and sweating process can be done properly.

Source: http://www.homeimprovement8.com/plumbing-copper-pipe-soldering-sweating-tips/

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