resolder copper pipe?

mmidlam · Feb 5, 2014

I need to replace a couple of 1/2 inch copper elbows. Do I need to worry about the old solder? Do I just clean the new elbow, slip over the pipe and add more solder to sweat it?

Sparktrician · Feb 5, 2014

I have never had any luck with making a sweat joint with pipe that already has solder on it.....it has to be fresh and clean....but....I am a 'lectrican not a plumber.....wrong kinda copper....lol.

ed will · Feb 5, 2014

Hi, I would heat the elbows and remove then wipe pipes clean, put paste on pipe and the new buffed elbows, put in place and sweat the joints by heating elbow to suck solder into joint. Done it many times. Ed Will

Steve@Advance · Feb 5, 2014

If they need replacing because they froze and broke... Be sure the new elbow will go over the old pipe before spending a lot of time cleaning it up, it might be stretched from freezing.

Pops1532 · Feb 5, 2014

(quoted from post at 20:31:51 02/05/14) Hi, I would heat the elbows and remove then wipe pipes clean, put paste on pipe and the new buffed elbows, put in place and sweat the joints by heating elbow to suck solder into joint. Done it many times. Ed Will

What Ed said.

Greg1959 · Feb 5, 2014

I use 'Shark-Bites". No soldering or gluing. Plus they won't freeze and burst after thawing.

Brian Dan · Feb 5, 2014

Do as Greg 1959 said. Use the Shark Bites it is so easy and they do not leak.
Brian

Ellis Kinney · Feb 5, 2014

Ed Will is absolutely correct. Ellis

Stephen Newell · Feb 5, 2014

You just have to clean the pipes good and score the inside of the new elbows with sandpaper. Then butter the new copper with tinning flux, assembly and solder. Usually the biggest problem is getting the water out of the pipes because it will create steam cooling the pipe so you don't get the pipe hot enough to solder. I often blow the water out of the pipes with compressed air or use a shop vacuum to draw the water out.

Eldon (WA) · Feb 5, 2014

(quoted from post at 13:24:32 02/05/14) I need to replace a couple of 1/2 inch copper elbows. Do I need to worry about the old solder? Do I just clean the new elbow, slip over the pipe and add more solder to sweat it?

Also make sure you use a GOOD soldering paste or flux. I did a project once where I fought it for a couple of hours...just couldn't get the solder to flow in the joint. I finally went and bought some new paste and the first time it sucked the solder right in. You could say I re-soldered an old joint about 10 times that day....

howdy1960 · Feb 5, 2014

I use MAPP gas when needing to solder a pipe that has/had water in it as it makes a hotter flame.

johnlobb · Feb 5, 2014

Cleanliness of the pipe and fitting are critical, plus a good soldering flux, Oatey is good, make sure all and I mean ALL of the water is out of the area, if there is any water it will not allow the joint to get hot enough to flow the solder. Also, when soldering, use the heat of the joint to melt the solder, not the flame. Put the torch flame on the joint, and the flux will sizzle, pull the flame away, apply the solder and if it does not flow, pull the solder away and re apply the flame for a while longer. Keep doing this until the solder flows in, and a small amount drips out of the bottom of the fitting, (of course you're wearing cotton gloves) take your glove and quickly wipe the bottom of the fitting lightly without disturbing the joint itself. Let it cool before applying pressure or water. Good luck

Indiana Ken · Feb 5, 2014

As others have posted, cleaning is key both the old pipe and the new elbow and do forget the flux.

If the pipe has had water you will need to blow it out, dry it etc. However, many times the water will come back into the joint once once you put the heat to it. If water hits the joint it is game over. One thing I do is push some white bread (minus crust) into the horizontal pipe at least 6" away from the joint. The vertical pipe does not need the bread. The bread will soak up any water before it can wet the joint. When the job is complete the bread can be flushed out an open faucet.

IH2444 · Feb 5, 2014

(quoted from post at 17:51:37 02/05/14) Do as Greg 1959 said. Use the Shark Bites it is so easy and they do not leak.
Brian

shark bites often do not seal properly on a misshaped (due to freezing) or a soldered area on a pipe.

resolder copper pipe?

mmidlam

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Sparktrician

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ed will

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Steve@Advance

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Pops1532

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Greg1959

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Brian Dan

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Ellis Kinney

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Stephen Newell

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Eldon (WA)

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howdy1960

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johnlobb

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Indiana Ken

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IH2444

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