Articles

Simple Job To Solder Copper Pipes

by Darcy Singh manager
In the event you find yourself face to face with leaking pipes, it is not too difficult a task to repair them so long as you adhere to a few simple instructions. Safe to say, knowing how to solder copper pipes is not a simple matter of sticking two pieces of pipes together. Firstly, you need to pick pipes of correct size and thickness. Pipe size normally goes by outer diameter size. By subtracting its thickness, you thus arrive at inner diameter size. Other than size, Copper Water Tube are also available according to type or need of installation. Its weight is determined by its thickness, thus determining its strength. Copper pipes to be installed outdoors or into heavy-set walls are the strongest, followed by those for regular and light installations into commercial and residential sites. There are also special copper tubes for refrigeration. Once you have selected Welding Copper Pipe of correct size and thickness, your next task is to select the fittings if applicable. Available in various sizes, these adapters come as elbows, tees and crosses to suit all directions of your installation needs. They also come in useful when one pipe is threaded whereas the other is smooth. If pipes differ in size, there is an adapter to be the intermediary. Pipes and adapters in hand, you then move on to type of solder. This functions as the filler material between pipes or pipe-to-adapter. Being copper pipes, the experts recommend lead-free solder. As these pipes are normally used to transport water, it is to everyone's best interest to avoid lead leakage into the water supply. Next on the list is solder flux. This is smeared on both surfaces prior to heating and soldering work. Due to the nature of material, acid-free solder flux is recommended for usage with copper to avoid acid corrosion. By this time, you should have a pretty full shopping basket. Since this is a project on how to solder copper pipes, you need a heat source. Ideally, an acetylene or propane torch is best suited for this job as electrically heated devices such as soldering irons do not generate sufficient heat onto copper pipes. Anticipating a possibly messy and hot job ahead, have some dry rags and water nearby. It is important to work in a well-aired environment as solder can release toxic gases once heated. Thoroughly clean the inside and outside surfaces of the pipes with a sandpaper. Apply the solder flux onto the cleaned surfaces and assemble them. Move the flame in constant and slow strokes along the assembled areas. Touch the solder tip onto the joint. If sufficiently heated, the solder melts and is absorbed into the joint. Continue the process until the joint is fully filled with solder. Spray a light mist of water to speed up the cooling process. Once done, flush well to remove excess flux and solder as well as check for leaks.

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About Darcy Singh Junior   manager

0 connections, 0 recommendations, 4 honor points.
Joined APSense since, June 7th, 2012, From NJ, China.

Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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