Soldering Copper Pipe for your Milwaukee Home

Soldering your copper pipe in your Milwaukee home will prevent leaky plumbing joints for years to come. You can find all the necessary supplies at your local hardware store, home center, or plumbing supply store.

The first step to soldering copper pipes is to physically and chemically clean both the outside of the pipe and the inside of the fittings. Remember, a shiny pipe is a clean pipe! Use a piece of emery cloth on the outside of the pipe. Rub it back and forth until the pipe shines. Then use a wire fitting brush to clean the inside of the fittings. These brushes come in different sizes, so make sure you have the correct size to fit your copper pipe.

Use a paste cleaner called flux to chemically clean the pipe. Make sure the flux is lead-free if the pipe will be used to carry water for human consumption. Apply the flux to the end of the pipe with a flux brush, making sure it’s applied slightly farther down the pipe than needed.

Now you’re ready to begin soldering your copper plumbing. The idea behind the process is to heat the fitting enough to melt the solder and pull it into the joint using capillary action. Using a propane tank, a control head, and a round-flame tip, start to heat the fitting. Be sure you don’t heat the pipe, just the fitting. The tip of the flame is typically the hottest, so aim it so the tip is touching the fitting. You’ll have to wait for the fitting to get hot enough. Once it does, you’ll see the solder touch the joint, melt, and get drawn in. After this happens, stop heating the joint immediately, or you’ll end up with a pipe that restricts water flow!

Remember to be safe when soldering copper plumbing in your Milwaukee home. Always keep a fire extinguisher handy, as well as a fireproof cloth and a small spray bottle filled with water. If you’re soldering something overhead, be sure to wear goggles, gloves, and a long sleeved, flannel shirt as well. This will protect you in the event the solder begins dripping.

Can’t figure out how to solder the copper plumbing in your Milwaukee or Brookfield or West Allis home? Don’t want to waste the time to repair leaky pipes? Call the expert plumbers at Milwaukee Handyman, 262-439-8620 and let them take care of the problem for you! Estimates are FREE, all costs are accounted to you in writing and we GUARANTEE our handywork for 2 years to your satisfaction!