How to Sweat (Solder) Copper Pipe By See Jane DrillTM Copyright 2013, All Rights Reserved

Transcription

1 Hw t Sweat (Slder) Cpper Pipe By See Jane DrillTM Cpyright 2013, All Rights Reserved Objective T learn hw t attach pieces f cpper pipe by sweating r sldering the metal tgether. This is a helpful skill t have t be able t fix yur wn husehld plumbing. The steps described in these written instructins and in the accmpanying vides at seejanedrill.cm will enable the learner t cmplete this jb safely and efficiently. Resurces Needed t Cmplete the Jb Tls & Equipment Eye Prtectin (Safety Glasses) Cpper pipe and/r cpper pipe fittings (Nte: If yu need assistance with cutting any f the cpper pipe prir t sldering it, review the vide Hw t Cut Cpper Pipe at seejanedrill.cm) Pipe Cleaning Tl and/r Emery Clth r Steel Wl Lead-free Slder Flux paste, preferably the water-sluble type Flux brush Wet Rag (ptinal) MAPP Gas Trch r Prpane Trch (Nte: See Jane Drill recmmends the use f a MAPP trch if feasible. The jb can be cmpleted with the use f a prpane trch, hwever, expect it t take lnger fr the cpper t heat up. If yu need 1

2 assistance with hw t set up and use a MAPP Gas Trch, review the vide Hw t Use a MAPP Gas Trch at seejanedrill.cm) Special Safety Requirements The MAPP gas trch (r prpane), if nt already set up, needs t be prepared utside the huse. The sldering wrking area shuld be free f any flammable material. Depending upn the area in which yu will be wrking, yu may need t use a flame-retardant barrier. There are several types available frm hme-imprvement stres. Als, try t wet dwn any surrunding wd after cmpleting the sldering prcess. This will help t ensure that there are n smldering embers present. Special nte abut stp valve interirs: The heat required t melt slder can damage the rubber washer f a valve. It is best t remve the handle and stem f the valve, prir t sldering. Steps t Sweat (Slder) and Attach Cpper Pipe 1. Shut ff the water and ensure that the pipe yu will be sldering is abslutely dry. This is critical t ensure that the slder will adhere. T dry the cpper pipe, d the fllwing after shutting ff the water: a. Drain the line yu will be wrking n by pening the faucet. Als pen a faucet as lw in the huse as pssible t release steam. b. Tip: Right befre beginning t slder, stuff bread up int the pipe yu will be wrking n t absrb any remaining misture. The bread will disslve later n when yu run the water. 2. Measure, Cut and de-bur the cpper pipe yu will be sldering. (Fr instructins n hw t d this crrectly, refer t the vide Hw t Cut Cpper Pipe at 3. Clean the pipe and fittings:

3 a. If yu have an emery clth r steel wl, wrap it arund the end f the pipe and twist, until the pipe is shiny and clean, like a new penny. Yu can get inside the pipe with the emery clth r steel wl if yu have t, but it is preferable t use a pipe cleaning tl. Cpper pipe with the end cleaned fr sldering b. If yu have a pipe cleaning tl, yu can use it t clean bth the inside and utside f the pipes and fittings, where they will be jined tgether. Simply insert the end f the pipe int the pipe cleaner and twist, t clean the utside f the pipe. T clean the inside, use the brush that is at the end f the pipe cleaner. Cleaning the inside f cpper pipe with pipe cleaner 3

4 Clean the inside and utsides f all pipes and fittings that will be jined tgether. Dn t frget abut the existing pipe that yu will be attaching the new pipe t, as it als needs t be cleaned and deburred. 4. The dry fit: Befre beginning the sldering prcess, dry fit yur cpper pipes and fittings t make sure that yu ve made the prper measurements fr the piece(s) that yu are replacing. 5. Apply flux: Apply flux paste with a flux brush arund the inside and utside f the pipes and fittings, where they will be jined tgether. The flux paste shuld cver abut 1 inch n each piece. 6. Assemble the pieces. Assemble the pipes and fittings that yu will be sldering tgether. Assembling Cpper pipe and fitting 7. Sldering a. First, put n yur eye prtectin. b. Prepare the spl f slder by extending a length f it ut 8 r mre inches frm the spl in a curved shape, as shwn belw. The idea is t create distance between yur hand and the area where yu will be sldering the ht metal.

5 Preparing the slder c. Set the slder aside, and start the trch. The flame shuld be blue. d. Begin heating up the cnnectin by putting the flame f the trch right n the center f the fitting. Heating up the Fitting e. After 5 10 secnds, test whether r nt the fitting is ht enugh t melt the slder, by placing the tip f the slder alng the edge f the fitting. If the cpper is ht enugh, the slder will melt immediately and 5

6 start t spread. If nt, wait 2-3 mre secnds and try again. Testing the Slder Ready t G f. Once the cpper is ht enugh, yu ll want t remve the flame and then carefully and quickly mve the tip f the slder arund the ridges where the fitting meets the pipe (n bth sides). Capillary actin will enable the slder t sink int the pening, creating a tight seal as it cls and dries. If necessary, apply mre heat. Applying the slder

7 g. Fr a prfessinal appearance, clean ff any drips and excess slder with a wet rag, being careful t nt tuch the metal with yur hand, as it is still very ht. (ptinal step) Cmpleted slder jb 8. Nw, test the jint by running the water. (On the ff chance that yu shuld spt a leak when testing the new jint, dn t despair. This smetimes happens, even t prfessinals. Yu will need t dry ut the pipe again, reheat the jint, and apply mre slder. This shuld crrect the prblem, hwever, if it desn t, yu will need t twist ff the fitting and start the sldering prcess ver with a brand-new fitting. ) And that s it! Yu did it! Yu have just sweated/sldered cpper pipe. Fr further infrmatin abut the task described in this wrksheet and the tls and materials needed t cmplete this jb, refer t Due t differing cnditins, tls, and individual skills, See Jane Drill assumes n respnsibility fr any mistakes, damages, injuries suffered, r lsses incurred as a result f fllwing the infrmatin published n ur website and in the vides and written instructins published thrugh ur website. Befre beginning any prject, review the 7

8 instructins carefully, and if yu still have any dubts r questins abut hw t cmplete the prject, cnsult with lcal experts r authrities. Als, because cdes and regulatins vary greatly by lcatin, yu shuld check t ensure that yur prject cmplies with all applicable lcal cdes and regulatins. Always read and fllw all the safety precautins prvided by any tl r equipment manufacturer, and fllw all accepted safety prcedures. See Jane Drill is dedicated t prviding accurate and helpful d-it-yurself infrmatin. We welcme yur questins, input and feedback abut the infrmatin prvided n this website.