Part 3 of 3: Joining the Lead
- Tack the pieces together with the torch if you need to stabilize them. ...
- Hold the torch and the filler rod at opposing 45-degree angles. Stand beside the joint you wish to weld, then reach for its top end.
- Melt the lead and solder material to begin the joint. ...
- Apply solder as you move the torch and rod along the joint. ...
Can you use lead free solder in plumbing?
Additionally there is a prohibition on introducing a pipe, any pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture, any solder, or any flux that is not lead free into commerce; unless the use is for manufacturing or industrial purposes.
How to solder copper pipe step by step?
How to Solder Copper Pipe Step 1: Cut Your Pipe. The first step to assembling copper pipe is to cut your pipe to length. The easiest and best way... Step 2: Cleaning the Pipe and Fitting. Prepwork is critical to ensuring a good soldered joint and cleaning of the copper... Step 3: Flux It. The second ...
How can a plumber repair lead pipes?
basic task of a plumber repair lead pipes,a pinhole could be repaired with a matchstick and plumbers metal or leaded solder use a moleskin wiping cloth and a little heat gently if not used to working with lead. best practice would be to cut out all the lead and repipe. It depends whether it's a water supply pipe, waste pipe or gas pipe.
How do you melt lead and solder together?
Melt the lead and solder material to begin the joint. Keep the torch and filler rod held at an angle as you begin moving it along the joint. Start at the end of the joint with the torch about 1 in (2.5 cm) above the lead with the filler rod underneath it. Heat the area until you see the lead begin to melt and a drop of the filler fall onto it. [8]
How do you join lead pipe?
5:026:18Leaking lead pipe repair | Lead-Loc - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo that's a leg a lot part of the fitting Don. So I'm also need to lose pipe op. So are you using aMoreSo that's a leg a lot part of the fitting Don. So I'm also need to lose pipe op. So are you using a piece of 15 mil copper pipe. And that's it we can then turn the water back on at the stocks up.
How do you solder a pipe step by step?
3:395:05How to Solder Copper Pipe The CORRECT Way | GOT2LEARNYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd work your way up and reason too is as you heat the bottom the heat rises. And heats up the topMoreAnd work your way up and reason too is as you heat the bottom the heat rises. And heats up the top of your joint as opposed to starting on top which takes longer for the heat to go down.
What do you put behind pipe when soldering?
Apply Flux to the Pipe and Fitting Once you've prepped the copper pipe and the pipe fitting, it's time to add the flux: Using a flux brush, apply a thin layer of lead-free soldering paste (flux) to the portion of the pipe that you cleaned. The paste should cover the depth of the pipe fitting.
Can you use lead free solder on lead pipe?
Since the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1986 the use of lead-containing solders in potable water systems has effectively been banned nationwide.
Do you need flux to solder?
Yes, you need flux. Solder wire usually has flux in its core, but most still apply additional flux.
How long after soldering can I turn water on?
If you followed these instructions, the joint is likely very tight. The only good way to test is to put pressure on the joint (turn on the water to the house). Be sure to wait until the solder has cooled (2-3 minutes) before pressurizing the line to avoid the solder cracking due to a quick change in temperature.
Why do plumbers use bread?
Solder a Leaky Pipe Grab a piece of white bread and shove it down as far as you can inside the pipe. The bread will stop the leak while you solder the fitting and will then (eventually) dissolve inside the pipe.
Is soldering pipe difficult?
Soldering copper water supply lines is not a difficult skill. Even a rookie can learn to solder leak-proof joints in 30 minutes. The process is simple—if you follow a few basic guidelines.
Is soldering copper pipe illegal?
for any person to introduce into commerce any solder or flux that is not lead free unless the solder or flux bears a prominent label stating that it is illegal to use the solder or flux in the installation or repair of any plumbing providing water for human consumption.
Why is soldering going to be illegal?
Legislative History. In 1986 Congress Amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, prohibiting the use of pipes, solder or flux that were not “lead free” in public water systems or plumbing in facilities providing water for human consumption.
Do plumbers use lead solder?
Since the 1930s, copper pipe has been used for residential plumbing. Until 1986, however, lead-based solder was used widely to join copper pipes. Lead-free solder and lead-free materials are now required by federal law for use in new household plumbing and for plumbing repairs.
Is it illegal to have lead water pipes?
In 1969, building regulations changed. Part of these changes meant that it became illegal to use lead pipes in water supplies. If your house was built in or after 1970, you shouldn't have lead pipes.
How do you solder copper pipes for beginners?
0:004:13How to solder / sweat copper pipe for beginners in 7 easy steps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep 3 wipe off any excess flux. Before you start hitting the pipe or cup. And once you startMoreStep 3 wipe off any excess flux. Before you start hitting the pipe or cup. And once you start hitting it up and you see any excess flux runs wipe that flux off as well you see the solder.
How do you solder copper pipe?
3:067:04How To Solder Copper Pipes With Water In It: Plumber's Bread Trick DIYYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause the solder will suck in to where the flame is you don't want to heat it out here you want toMoreBecause the solder will suck in to where the flame is you don't want to heat it out here you want to heat it here on the coupler. And when you start to see it bubbling from the flux.
How do you solder?
2:043:56Soldering Tutorial for Beginners: Five Easy Steps - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe whole principle is to heat up your joint evenly and melt solder onto the joint not the tip ofMoreThe whole principle is to heat up your joint evenly and melt solder onto the joint not the tip of the iron.
How do you solder an iron pipe?
4:167:33Copper Pipe Soldering-How to Solder for Beginners Video - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow what that flux is going to do the purpose of flux is it helps distribute the solder. And it'sMoreNow what that flux is going to do the purpose of flux is it helps distribute the solder. And it's going to help the solder be sucked up into the fitting.
How to repair a pinhole in a lead pipe?
basic task of a plumber repair lead pipes,a pinhole could be repaired with a matchstick and plumbers metal or leaded solder use a moleskin wiping cloth and a little heat gently if not used to working with lead.
What percentage of lead is used for drainage?
For drainage lead I like to use a 38% (tin)62 % ( lead) content as the pasty range allows me to work the alloy a bit longer so it doesn't burn a hole in the lead Yet has a stronger tensile strength.
What is the best way to seal a pinhole?
Generally a sharp tap with a ball peen hammer will seal a pinhole as a temporary repair!
Can you solder lead pipes?
The only lead pipes you can solder are lead waste pipes and rainwater pipes!
Is lead pipe a problem?
Actually the lead pipe is not the problem it is the wine that folks used in the lead goblets..
Is it illegal to solder lead water pipes?
Now that you admit that its illegal to solder lead water pipes, one wonders why you seemed to be advising how it can be done!
Is it illegal to install lead pipes?
Installing lead pipe (water supply) is illegal BUT repairing it is another story as after many years lead pipe has oxidized, this prevents the leaching of lead into the water supply NOW Plastic is another story as many are now found to be highly toxic which I did post in 1999 on the Australian web site "Master plumbers.com" articles by Sylvan Tieger.
How to weld lead?
Secure the lead pieces together with clamps and tape. Set up the lead so it’s in position for you to get a clean weld. Butt, lap, and edge joints are the most common setups in lead welding. Use clamps to hold the pieces together as tightly as possible. Add foil tape as needed to keep them stable while you work.
What do you wear to weld lead?
1. Wear a facemask, a respirator, and other safety gear. Lead welding involves a lot of the same safety concerns you encounter when working with other materials. Put on long-sleeved clothing and pants along with heat-resistant welding gloves and boots.
How to get a strong weld?
Getting a strong weld takes experience. Practice welding so you can understand the pace you need to move in order to keep the weld consistent.
How to weld a joint with a torch?
Stand beside the joint you wish to weld, then reach for its top end. Hold the torch behind the edge of the joint. With your other hand, hold the filler rod in front of the joint. Tilt both the rod and torch at 45-degree angles from the joint before you begin welding.
How to make a lap joint?
For a lap joint, position one piece on top of the other. The top one will partially overlap the bottom one. Then, weld the overlapping edge to the bottom piece. Make an edge joint by standing the pieces of lead up and pushing them together. Melt the top surfaces to weld them together.
How to make a V-shaped weld?
Apply solder as you move the torch and rod along the joint. Move the torch toward the rod to melt a little drop of metal off of it, then pull the torch back to smooth out the filler. Doing this creates a V-shaped weld. Continue that pattern by moving your tools forward along the joint by about 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm). Repeat this process at a steady pace until you reach the end of the joint.
How to fill gaps in a weld?
If you’re not using a filler rod, use the torch as you normally would. Brush the melted lead as needed with the tip of the torch to help fill in any gaps left in the weld.
What is lead pipe?
Many major U.S. cities and towns even have lead pipes as part of the main water delivery system. Lead has been a ubiquitous plumbing construction material since the Romans invented specialized water delivery systems—so much so that the word “plumbing” actually is derived from the Latin word for lead, “ plumbum .”.
How to reduce lead in water?
Run the faucet on the cold water setting for five minutes before collecting any for use to reduce potential exposure to lead from household plumbing. Only drink or cook with cold tap water. Warm or hot tap water may contain higher levels of lead, and boiling water will not reduce the amount of lead.
How much does it cost to replace lead lines?
Total replacement, however, is a pricey proposition: The EPA estimated in 2016 that the cost to replace all lead service lines in America—an estimated 6.5 million to 10 million lines—would run from $16 billion to $80 billion.
How to determine if you are exposed to lead?
Many people exposed to lead exhibit no symptoms, and the only way to determine lead exposure is with a blood test . A health care provider can assess the risk of lead poisoning, recommend a blood test for lead, and determine an appropriate course of treatment if lead exposure is found.
When did the EPA start reducing lead in drinking water?
The EPA expanded its commitment to reduce lead in drinking water with the passage of the Lead and Copper Rule in 1991, which requires regular water sampling and testing and recommends the replacement of lead service lines.
When did the EPA launch the lead service line replacement page?
To assist in this effort, the EPA and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched a dedicated page on epa.gov in October 2019 to collect information on the various federal programs that are available to help finance lead service line replacement.
When was the lead industry formed?
Even then, efforts to prohibit the use of lead were stymied when the Lead Industries Association was formed in 1928 to strongly support the continued use of lead pipes, lobbying against changes to municipal building codes; the trade group remained active through the ‘70s. Evidence about the dangers of lead poisoning continued to mount.
How to disassemble a soldered joint?
You can easily disassemble a soldered joint by heating the joint and pulling it apart using a pair of pliers. Once you've disassemble the joint, you'll most likely find it impossible to reassemble as the solder will prevent the two parts from sliding together. There are two ways around this.
How to make copper pipe?
Step 1: Cut Your Pipe. The first step to assembling copper pipe is to cut your pipe to length. The easiest and best way to accomplish this is by using a tubing cutter. I've been using a small close quarters cutter, but there are larger cutters, which operate on the same principle.
What is the second step in the preparation of a pipe?
The second critical preparation step is the application of flux to the joint. Since the solder cannot be applied directly inside the joint, the flux will "pull" the solder into the joint, making a strong, sealed connection between the pipe and fitting. Without flux, the solder can only form a superficial layer at the entrance of the joint and even if it initially does not leak it won't hold up long. I apply a liberal layer of flux to both the inside of the fitting and the outside of the pipe before sliding the two parts together.
How to clean pipe and fittings?
An alternative method for cleaning the pipe and/or fittings is to use emery cloth. To clean the insides of the fittings I rolled the emery cloth into a small cylinder. By rotating this cylinder inside of the fitting, it was quickly cleaned.
Can solder be applied without flux?
Without flux, the solder can only form a superficial layer at the entrance of the joint and even if it initially does not leak it won't hold up long. I apply a liberal layer of flux to both the inside of the fitting and the outside of the pipe before sliding the two parts together. Ask Question.
Can you solder a T fitting together?
Fittings with multiple joints (such as a T-fitting) can be tricky to solder together as the heat intended for one joint can easily soften the solder of the adjacent joint. While this isn't necessarily a problem, if the adjacent joint is situated such that gravity will pull it apart, it can easily fall apart.
Can you use a soldering iron on copper pipe?
Soldering copper pipe requires a relatively large amount of high intensity heat, which is why a propane torch is typically used to heat the joint. You can't use a soldering iron here. The heat should be applied as evenly as possible around the fitting. The amount of heat needing to be applied will vary, but we'll deal with that in the next step.
How to solder a pipe?
So, once you have prepped the pipe, you are ready to solder. Turn the propane torch on, using the sparker to ignite the flame. Then , put the tip of the flame on the fitting and put it no closer. If you do, it will basically turn the flux paste to ash, and you need the flux paste to conduct the heat. Once the pipe looks hot enough (this can be determined by seeing if the pipe starts to discolor), put your solder up against the joint (the joint is the place where the pipe and fittings meet). If the solder melts, take the torch away from the piping and let the solder ease into the joint, all the way around. You do not need a lot of solder, so don't use too much. However, if you see a lot of excess solder that has formed, quickly wipe it with a damp rag before it hardens.
What to do if solder melts?
If the solder melts, take the torch away from the piping and let the solder ease into the joint, all the way around. You do not need a lot of solder, so don't use too much. However, if you see a lot of excess solder that has formed, quickly wipe it with a damp rag before it hardens.
What to do when piping is cooled?
When the piping has cooled, use the steel wool you used earlier to rub that off until the pipe looks as it did.
Why do you prep a pipe?
Prepping the pipe not only makes the pipe easier to solder but also helps the pipes hold together better by itself. To do this you must know that there are two different parts if a pipe. There is a fitting, and then there are the pipes themselves. The connectors are the larger bit of piping that the pipe fits into.
What is connector piping?
The connectors are the larger bit of piping that the pipe fits into. For the fittings, you should use some steel wool to scratch up the inside (or you can use the car battery terminal brush as advised earlier). Then, use the steel wool again to scratch up the outside of the pipe.
Why do you need gloves when using steel wool?
Note 1: When you use the steel wool it is advised to wear gloves as to not get any metal bits stuck in your hand. You also need these because the propane torch is very hot and so is the piping after you heat it up.
Can you leave solder on if it has hardened?
You can get a lot of the messy stuff off but if there is any access, solder that has hardened, you are just going to have to leave it unless you want to heat the solder up again and wipe it off with a damp rag. However, if you do this if too much solder melts off you may need to apply more.
What is lead free solder?
At the time "lead free” was defined as solder and flux with no more than 0.2% lead and pipes with no more than 8%. In 1996 Congress further amended the Safe Drinking Water Act, requiring plumbing fittings and fixtures (endpoint devices) to be in compliance with voluntary lead leaching standards.
What is the lead free requirement for water?
Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) establishes the definition for “lead free” as a weighted average of 0.25% lead calculated across the wetted surfaces of a pipe, pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, and fixture and 0.2% lead for solder and flux.
What is the EPA's final rule for lead free water?
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the final regulation "Use of Lead Free Pipes, Fittings, Fixtures, Solder, and Flux for Drinking Water." In the final rule, EPA makes conforming changes to existing regulations based on the Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (RLDWA) and the Community Fire Safety Act enacted by Congress. T he final rule also requires that manufacturers or importers certify that their products meet the requirements using a consistent verification process within 3 years of the final rule publication date in the Federal Register. As a result, this new rule will reduce lead in drinking water and assure that states, manufacturers, inspectors and consumers have a common understanding of “Lead Free” plumbing.
Is there a prohibition on introducing a pipe, any pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture, any solder?
Additionally there is a prohibition on introducing a pipe, any pipe or plumbing fitting or fixture, any solder, or any flux that is not lead free into commerce; unless the use is for manufacturing or industrial purposes.
What solder is used to hold copper joints together?
The solder that was used to hold the copper joints together probably has some lead in it. There’s no way to know for sure by doing that scrape test on solder, but it’s more than likely that the solder used in my home is what’s called “50/50 solder.”. That’s 50 percent lead, 50 percent tin. Other types of plumbing you might find in your house ...
How to tell if water line is lead?
One quick trick to see if your water service line might be lead: Scrape it with a screwdriver. If the metal is soft and turns shiny, it’s likely lead. Photo: Randall Whitaker.
What elements are used to replace lead in brass?
Manufacturers started adding other elements—like bismuth, silicon and sulfur— to replace the lead in brass alloys. The law does not cover valves and faucets not typically used for drinking water, such as valves for showers and toilets.
How long does lead stay in water?
This is especially a good idea if you know the water has been sitting in your plumbing for six hours or more. The more the water runs, the less time it has to come into contact with any lead in your plumbing.
What does it mean when a copper supply line turns brown?
If your supply line turns a brownish, copper color, that means it is a copper supply line . Aside from lead or copper, you can also have a plastic or galvanized steel service line coming into your house. If it’s steel, a magnet would stick to it. If it’s lead or copper, a magnet would not stick to it.
Why add lead to brass?
Companies added lead to the brass alloy to help with the manufacturing process and to improve the reliability of valves.
What color is a lead service line?
The first trick —without even having to touch it or do anything—if you see that the service line is a dark matte gray color, that’s usually a good tip that that is a lead service line.