How to Solder a Pipe | Ask Richard | Ask This Old House

This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shares tips on soldering pipe. (See below for shopping list, tools, and steps.)
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Shopping List for How to Solder a Pipe:
Lead-free solder
Flux and acid brush to ensure solder bonds to copper pipe and fittings
Propane cylinder
Dry cloth

Tools List for How to Solder a Pipe:
Safety glasses
Propane torch with striker to melt solder
Tubing cutter to cut copper pipe
Emery cloth or Cleaning brush to clean copper pipe and fittings
Screw-on torch tip to attach to the propane cylinder
Heat shield to prevent torch flame from burning combustible surfaces

Steps for How to Solder a Pipe:
1. Use a cleaning strip or an emery cloth to clean the outside of the copper pipe and the inside of the copper fitting.
2. Use an acid brush to apply flux onto the pipe end and inside the fitting.
3. Push the fitting onto the pipe until they fit tightly together.
4. Thread the torch tip onto the propane cylinder, then open the valve and ignite the propane with a striker or a built-in igniter.
5. Adjust the valve to create a sharp, well-defined pencil-tip flame.
6. Use the torch to apply heat to one side of the copper fitting.
7. Once the flux starts to bubble, press the solder against the opposite side of the fitting.
8. Wait for the heat to melt the solder, then and draw the solder into the joint.
9. Remove the flame and gently wipe away any excess solder with a dry cloth.
10. When soldering existing pipes, be sure to drain all water out of the pipes first.
11. Use a fireproof heat shield to protect wood framing, insulation and other combustibles from the torch flame.

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Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers—and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.

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How to Solder a Pipe | Ask Richard | Ask This Old House
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