What kind of solder do you use for copper pipes?

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lead-free solder
Types of Solder Buy lead-free solder that’s designed for copper water pipes; you’ll find it in the plumbing section of the store. Solder with lead is still available, but the lead can leach into your water supply, so don’t use it.

Do you need special solder for copper pipe?

What Type of Solder is Used for Copper Pipe? Lead free solder is best for copper pipes carrying drinking water. It will be free of elements you don’t want entering your drinking water. However it will require a higher melting point than a 50/50 solder.

Does solder work on copper pipe?

Soldering vertical copper pipe shouldn’t be too different from working horizontally. If the joint and tip are hot enough, the solder should flow right in. Heat the middle of the fitting and apply the solder as soon as it starts to melt. Remove the heat once the solder starts moving.

Can you solder a leaking copper pipe?

Apply soldering flux around the whole joint and apply heat with a torch until the old solder melts. Add new solder until a shiny ring of solder shows all around the joint. Let the pipe cool for five minutes, then turn the water back on and cross your fingers that you stopped the leak.

What do I need to solder to copper pipes together?

The torch needed for soldering copper can be propane or MAPP gas (methylacetylene-propadiene propane). MAPP gas comes in a yellow tank and propane comes in a blue tank. MAPP gas, usually a bit more expensive, gets much hotter than propane, so heats the pipe faster.

Why does my solder not stick to copper pipe?

the solder is hot enough, but the copper is not hot enough. Heat the copper more before applying the solder. The join is not clean enough. If you’re using a good flux, then the copper isn’t clean enough.

Is plumbing solder the same as electrical solder?

The acid flux in plumbing solder differs from electrical solder, which contains rosin flux. The strong acid in plumbing solder is very corrosive in order to strip the layer of oxidation off the surface of pipes as the solder melts, allowing it to adhere and form a waterproof joint.

Can you solder pipes with water in them?

Don’t try to solder pipes with water in them. When you’re repairing or tying in to existing copper pipes, it’s common to find a small amount of water in them even after you close the valve and drain the pipes. Soldering a joint in pipes that contain even tiny amounts of water is nearly impossible.