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SECTION 7 I OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
SWEAT SOLDERING TIPS
MEASURING PIPE LENGTHS: Always be sure to
include the length of pipe that goes inside the fitting.
On 3/4"pipe, this length is about 3/4".
about 3/,- : I
engagement NO YES
_i i
CUTTING PIPE: Turn the pipe cutter back and forth
around the outside of the pipe. Tighten the pipe cutter
slowly with each turn until all the way through the
pipe. To keep from crushing or distorting the pipe, do
not tighten the cutter too much at a time. File burrs
from cut ends.
CLEAN PIPE AND FITTING SOLDERING SUR-
FACES: With emery cloth, fine sandpaper or steel
wool, clean the end of the pipe and inside of the fitting.
Clean surfaces until they shine. Do not grind off too
much material, making the fit too loose.
Wrap nearby, already soldered joints with a wet cloth
so solder does not melt.
Let soldered joint_ cool slowly. Sudden cooling can
crack or weaken the solder.
SOLDERING: Light the torch and set to a moderate
flame. Move the flame over and around the joint to
heat pipe and fitting. In a short time, touch the end of
the solder wire to the tip of the fitting. DO NOT PLACE
SOLDER IN THE FLAME. The solder will melt and
draw into the connection when the pipe and fitting are
at the rig ht temperature. Run the solder around the lip
until the joint is full. Do not overfill as solder will run
into and harden inside the fitting. Being careful not to
touch the pipe with your hands, make a quick swipe
around the joint with a cloth to take off excess solder.
clean surfaces
thoroughly
CHECK THE FIT: Push the pipe into the fitting as far
as it will go. Use some force to slip together, but do
not hammer or pound. If too tight, clean surfaces until
fit is good.
PUT ON PASTE FLUX: Freely apply paste flux on
both cleaned surfaces. Place pipe into the fitting and
turn to spread the paste around.
BEFORE SOLDERING, READ THESE SAFETY
GUIDES.
• Keep torch flame away from walls, the water softener,
and other materials that will burn.
• Do not touch newly soldered pipe with your hands.
For a good sweat solder joint, the pipe and fitting must
not have any water inside them. Water, when heated
by the torch, weakens the solder and often the joint
will leak. If you can not keep the inside of the pipe dry,
wad up a piece of bread into a ball. After putting paste
flux on both the pipe and fitting, place the bread wad
into the pipe and poke in several inches. Put the pipe
and fitting together and solder. The bread absorbs
moisture while you are soldering. When the water is
turned on, the bread dissolves and is flushed out an
open faucet.
LEAKING CONNECTIONS: You can try to reheat
and resolder a leaking joint, but it's usually best to
start over. Turn off the water, reheat and take the pipe
and fitting apart. Take off all old solder, cleaning down
to the copper surface. Apply new paste flux and
solder again.
20.