Soldered joints are constructed by the use of melting metal solder with a direct heat source such as blowlamp. They are very secure and permanent joints and are used all the time in plumbing.

Two types:

End feed fittings (from a reel).

Solder Ring Fittings (contains ring of solder).

Beckenham Plumbers can use both types of soldering.

Process:

a). Clean the touching areas of the pipe and inside the fitting. Use wire wool or nylon cleaning pad for this. Then, put a suitable flux onto the clean surfaces. This (flux) is a specific paste that is readily available in plumbers merchants and is used in order to keep the area clean when the soldering is started and also allowing the hot molten solder to adhere to the copper and flow easily.

b). Make sure that the pipe contains no water or this will have a cooling affect and hamper the soldering and the solder will not melt and flow. A professional plumbers like a Beckenham Plumber is qualified in the different types of pipe jointing.

c). Apply heat to the assembled joint and melt the solder. Use the solder as soon as it melts so as not to burn away the flux. When soldered fittings have been used, the solder will be seen running from the mouth of the fitting. Use caution relating to combustible materials in the immediate area of the heat source as it can quite easily start a fire, being very hot. Allow the newly soldered joint to cool completely after soldering to guarantee a good fit.

d). Always wipe any residual flux away that is on the pipe after soldering, or this will make the pipe green with corrosion.

Test for leaks, and if leaking, replace with a new fitting.

Hot or Cold water supplies must be Lead Free soldered.


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