How To Join Copper Pipe
Though PEX and other plastic products are more and more commonly used, homeowners continue to encounter projects that require one to know the basics of joining copper pipe.
Here is the best way of joining copper pipe yourself. First, use fine sandpaper to clean the inside of the fittings and the ends of the pipes. Then brush flux onto your fittings. Join the pipes together and use a propane torch to heat the fitting (not the pipe). That pulls the solder into the joint. If the copper turns black, it’s too hot. Now wipe off the excess, and that’s all there is to it.
There are three basic ways to join copper pipes to each other. Hard copper can be sweat soldered or joined using a compression coupler, while soft copper is usually joined using compression couplers or a flare joint (although soldering can still be used).
How To Join Copper Pipe
First, cut the pipe to length and remove any burrs. Since any debris can interfere with the joining process, you’ll want to clean the end of the pipe that will be inserted into the fitting using a piece of emery cloth or some steel wool. Clean the inside and outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting as well. You want the copper to be bright and shiny, so you know you’ve removed any oxidation, dirt, or grease that might be on the surface.
Apply a light coating of soldering flux to the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fitting, using a small brush or a cloth to spread it. Then, put the copper fitting in place on the pipe and rotate it a few times to make sure the flux is evenly spread. The flux prevents the copper from oxidizing when you apply heat.
Before you start to solder anything, unroll about 12 inches of solder off the roll and then make a right angle bend about three inches from the tip. This will make it easier to apply the solder to the hot fitting, particularly on the backside of the pipe.
Now use a propane torch to heat the joint. Begin by playing the blue tip of the flame (the hottest part) over both the fitting and the pipe for a few seconds, and then concentrate the flame on the middle of the fitting. You can tell if the fitting is hot enough to solder by looking at the color of the flame on the side of the pipe away from the torch. If it looks green, the joint is hot enough to solder. Alternatively, you can just remove the flame and touch the solder to the pipe where it meets the fitting. If the joint is hot enough, the solder will melt and literally be sucked into the tiny seam. If solder doesn’t draw into the joint, remove the solder and keep heating the joint for a few a few more seconds and try again. Move the solder all around the joint. A joint is soldered when it appears silver all around. Finally, wipe the joint with a damp cloth to remove any excess solder.
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