6 SOLDERING MISTAKES ON COPPER PIPE

[@plumberparts]

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[@artjomrotthier2362]

I’m not

[@Maltloaflegrande]

They say a bad workman blames his tools. I used to believe this until I attempted a batch of soldering on my central heating. I did all the things in this vid by the book and it still leaked: that's THREE attempts all going wrong and boy was I tearing my hair out(I still had some in those days). Then my wife said "maybe it's your torch?" "No it can't be, I've had this for years and it's never let me down!" But after the fourth failure, I was desperate enough to pop round to B&Q and treat myself to a new torch. Instant success. The moral of this is that sometimes it actually isn't your fault. Check your gear.

[@jaycie5021]

A bad workman blames his tools because a good workman doesn't put up with crap tools.

[@robertmedina3195]

It was your fault for not checking your tools.

[@Maltloaflegrande]

@@robertmedina3195 Thank you. I consider myself suitably admonished.

[@Maltloaflegrande]

@@jaycie5021 I didn't put up with the crap tool once I'd realised it wasn't fit for purpose anymore; I replaced it.

[@robertmedina3195]

@@Maltloaflegrande I've done it myself. I was using my multimeter and after wasting an hour found out the leads were bad lol.

[@Andrew85or]

Make sure you check what's behind the fitting your heating. If there's something flammable or heat sensitive,you could buy a heat shield or cut one of those foil baking trays in half and it'll work just fine. You may be able to layer aluminum foil but haven't tried that.

[@pumpkinhead456]

I've just upgraded some 22 to 28, with even a couple of 35mm tees. First time soldering larger pipes, was nervous but got there in the end. Plenty bird poop, snots, 2 leaks - got there in the end! Doing it again I'd flux 1 joint at a time in stead of a few, but otherwise quite happy for a pen pushing DIYer 😊 I learn all my stuff here, thanks for helping us! Oh PS, for very dirty pipes, a bit flux before cleaning will bring it up nicely!

[@anthonyhall854]

I used bread for years when soldering pipes with water in and always worked a treat , until on a job one day and the only bread on site was called Warburtons best of both! god knows what was in it, the joint soldered great but even after 2 days with the heating running the bread did not break up! had to pull the thing apart and the bread had turned to a sloid plug! just imagine what it does in your gut!

[@Pseudify]

You have enzymes in your gut, but probably not in your water pipes.

[@landsea7332]

Use white glue bread ... not whole grains .

[@marciaedwardscrown]

Hovis or mother's pride then?

[@snudge9626]

I occassionally do plumbing on a DIY basis and nearly every solder joint I have done has leaked. I have been restricted to using compression joints. I really just needed someone to explain what I was doing wrong and this video is pure gold. I will definitely have another go at solder joints in the future. Thanks for posting this video.

[@nicodavies1437]

Number 1 rule to having solid clean solders is having flame control and understanding the flame. For example, soldering 15mm you only need a light soft flame which will slowly draw your solder in rather than having a massive out of control flame which will melt the fitting and flux and you'll end up with solder all over your fitting.

[@andrewwilliams8454]

Thats exactly what he said in the video

[@nothankyou5524]

Bless you for taking the time to say this.

[@hornetIIkite3]

My first go at soldering copper pipe I was using an electric heat-gun. It did get the solder to melt but not nearly hot enough to flow properly. Got a butane torch and got perfectly smooth soldering.

[@Doing_it_right_the_first_time]

Being a very experienced and master plumber myself, I never, ever use MAPP gas to solder. I only use it to loosen fittings that other barbarian Plumbers overtightened fittings with! It has oxygen in it to help make the heat / flame quite a bit hotter than just propane and the oxygen also gets into the solder and the copper which is not a good thing. Edward H. - “Integrity, plumbing, septic and drain“ out of the Clinton, CT USA area.

[@sunkat76]

Thank you. this is good to know. So, what should I use? I am a newbie to this. Buying new kitchen taps: Want to solder in copper tails to copperpipe under kitchen sink. TIA

[@bobbing4snapples]

Dude, you are so full of s**t. MAPP is methylacetylene-propadiene propane, hence the name. It also hasn't been available in North America for years. There's certainly no "oxygen in it". Sounds like you're "very experienced" in blowing smoke up people's asses😂

[@akc045]

​@@sunkat76 Propane torch.

[@sunkat76]

@@akc045 thank you!

[@jaycie5021]

I can't stand MAP. Gives me the worst headache.

[@lannabulls]

Great video thanks. Which kind of solder do you use for copper to copper pipe? tin- lead or free leed solder used in electronics could be used? Thanks 🙏 so much!

[@Coein-King]

Love the video !!! But what about the wet rag and leaving the other end open ? I always got taught if you are soldering an elbow to flux both sides and be ready to solder both pipes going into the fitting rather then leaving none side open.

[@Irish96]

Mistake 7 you thought that you were friends😂 great video thank you learning so much

[@blitheringrando1410]

Thank you, this video was invaluable. I was able to replace a leaky delta 600 series valve. We cut the old valve off at the body, sweated the little pieces off the pipe and trimmed the pipe to fit the wider valve body. We did it in 1 try thankfully. That brass takes a lot more time to heat up than that copper pipe does, we had to use a license plate heat shield when working in the wall.

[@dimitar4y]

remember to make mistakes and LEARN FROM THEM! Nobody ever did something the first time perfect :)

[@YeahNoTellTheTruth]

Sure, if you're going to correct yourself after and as he just said don't make these mistakes as they'll cause damage to yours and peoples property which he's right so your feel good positive vibe comment is contradictory to doing a good job on things like this.

[@dimitar4y]

@@YeahNoTellTheTruth i mean if you're gonna make a mistake on purpose you sure as hell ain't gonna do it in someone else's house. nothing contradictory. Also, nobody has ever discovered anything just by being born for it. Even the inventors got it wrong the first few (thousand) times.

[@fredfox1764]

no as i always say wilbur and orville wright didnt build a 747 first time off

[@M.E63]

Most things you’ll never get right first time but there’s some things you can get right first time perfectly

[@niconine268]

Very decent plumbing work

[@johnwealthy6044]

nice video. Just hung 5 radiators and now ready for piping up. Im not experienced enough and don't want any leaks so i'm going push-fit copper....

[@kevinrayner5812]

I always have a problem with lead free solder. That goes for electrical soldering as well. I understand if it is on central heating you are still allowed use lead tin solder but not on drinking water pipes.

[@cameronmurie]

Good tips I enjoyed it. I am watching these as I have to do a pretty, decoration copper install for an airline. (3/4) I would like to see a demo about getting it right when you are up a ladder, hard against the ceiling and have to turn it into a T piece but you are 18 inches from the corner where you turn 90. Using brass wall Battens in brick. And after you are done the client is using a microscope to look at your joins.

[@carltonbreezy]

We are not at home to Mr Cockup. One of my favourite things to say from the greatest British comedy series bar Rising Damp. Respect man👍

[@leoanthony79]

I thought it was Blackadder tbh?

[@garynordyke8025]

Thank you for this video!

[@hebebabe]

marking the solder at 5mm increments was a top tip, managed first time, no pigeon poo, thanks!!!

[@JJHDZ68]

Great video! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! God bless you and yours! Un abrazo fuerte!

[@rajan246]

Bread for the heat bag - check. Loving it.

[@superawesomechannel2600]

love your video well done because I have learned a lot from you thank you.

[@richardstewart6900]

Had to learn soldering and compression joints on 15mm copper when we came home one day to find bursts in the washer & hose feeds in the garage. It was around 40 years back so no internet to fall back on. And yes, mistakes were made! Probably the very first joint I tried to do, I was stood there with the blowtorch for AGES, wondering why the darned thing wasn't working, why the joint hadn't sealed. Not knowing, I'd turned the torch on high and the solder must have drained out within the first few seconds. Got the hang of it after that but, frankly, would use plastic for 95% of the stuff I'm likely to do nowadays.

[@barrywatts8501]

All the story's coming out of my head just watching this!!! Lol.

[@mrshoney2624]

Great video, Im not an plumber but after cleaning the copper you shouldn't really touch the area as natural grease from your fingers will contaminate the copper but these new acid fluxes are pretty good these days. Water boils at around 100C and for solder to melt it needs a few hundred degrees so if theres any water or steam you cant clear you will stuggle like hell! Ive used a vax vacuum cleaner in the past but if that fails a Compression joint or if you trust push fit is the other option. Thanks for your great videos.

[@armandocontreras8114]

Thanks for your time

[@DanielCValot]

Thank you so much for your video! I see my problem has been using MAP gas, I had the flame too high so I was trying to go fast lol Great simple video, I do not do a lot of soldering but in RC aircraft but I do a lot of TIG welding, not the same lol Greetings from the beach from California, USA

[@stuartgray5877]

If I want to make some sweeping turns in copper, can I insert some soft copper in the middle of a run of hard copper pipe? Is there any rule against that?

[@paulverney6748]

Do you recommend having saw dust and used paper towel in the area behind the soldering flame? 😂😂😂 are you sponsered by local fire brigade! Love to see one on connecting chrome pipe to copper for towel rads.

[@liam6200]

What are your views on solder ring fittings? I'm a diy'er and been fitting new rads in my house, have used them in all the pipework as I was worried about getting the amount of solder correct if I used normal fittings.

[@nakchAk]

Truthfully as a diyer also I'd say hit and miss, I've had as many fail or require topping up with solder, that on my current renovation project I've just end fed solder for all copper joints. If nothing else a bag of elbows and pipe offcuts give you ample practice to feel confident soldering, and if your using solder rings your 90% there already so the blow torch doesn't feel alien in your hands, and that 5mm rule of thumb tip in the vid will help you master the last 10%...

[@robkiss5272]

You shouldn’t have to top up Yorkshire fittings. Might have to clean the pipe a bit better and maybe use better flux. Regards

[@nakchAk]

@@robkiss5272 interestingly same prep and flux yielded perfect end fed joints and variable solder ring joints. Quite likely it's my technique or a rubbish quality fitting

[@robkiss5272]

@@nakchAk hmm it would bet on the fittings then. I stopped using those quite early and went to end feed ones. No ring just a few joints, be generous with solder at the beginning…it will be a bit messy but at least no leaks and then less and less solder…you will get the feel then like Jimmy says a bit of Brasso and it will be pretty too. 😀 Never be beaten

[@richardlewis5316]

On many jobs I see the big lumps of solder at the bottom of the fitting where the previous plumber has used too much solder. After every joint I do I wipe the joint with wire wool as its there anyway from cleaning the pipe. This removes any excess solder and leaves the joint smooth .

[@irishmike4914]

If you are doing 50 joints or so you don't always remember to wipe everyone. As long as it doesn't effect the integrity of the joint no worries. The bigger issue is to go back and clean all the flux off so you don't have green pipes. I use a couple of spoonfuls of baking soda with water and wipe all the copper down not just joints. Way the grumpy old guys taught me!

[@turboslag]

What about vertical runs?

[@anthonysmith-m3w]

I was always taught that with a 15mm pipe apply solder at the bottom as it should wick upwards and if, when you check that the solder has travelled to the top then it’s definitely sealed all the way around.

[@UNORTHODOXONETOO]

I love watching a workman that takes true pride in the quality of his work. Also... Subscribe and help him buy blow up dolls 😂

[@videogalore]

I'll have to try the Brasso trick, thank you!

[@philgriffiths5514]

Brasso....Of course, I thought that's where you got the inspiration for your KZbin image from. Good stuff. After watching that I feel Im a pro already.)))

[@Wiltshire-observer]

There is a quick cheat for soldered fittings, using electrical solder with the flux already in it. Although more expensive, I use it with cleaning flux and it works on all copper fittings. The cleaning flux is now not so easy to get hold of, a bit toxic I think. If you want to master the end feed fitting, the ones with no solder ring in them, try electrical solder with everything cleaned up beforehand and a bit of flux if you are a novice. Works really well.

[@videogalore]

Interesting, although I don't know that electrical solder is suitable for potable (drinking) water though?

[@SeanBZA]

@@videogalore Modern stuff is lead free, just tin and a little bit of other stuff in it, so it is actually water safe. The old solder before ROHS is tin lead alloy, 60% lead and 40% tin roughly, depending on brand. But if you are doing refrigeration pipe MAPP gas is the thing, and you are actually melting the copper slightly, and the gas is cleaning the oxide off the surface before the silphos rod is used to weld the parts together. Have used it a bit on water pipes, and with this you do not even need fittings if you have the AC tools, as that allows you to make the one side expand ( for water pipe that is hard drawn first heat it to make it soft annealed copper again) to make a fitting that is way more than capable of handling water mains pressures. Worst though is when you find old imperial size copper pipe still in use, and want to mate to modern fittings, which will not work, so MAPP gas and weld the new tail onto the old pipe it is. That is in old buildings, with pipe in the walls, and you need to fit a new tap there, and not remove 20m of plaster to do it.

[@videogalore]

Thank for that @@SeanBZA, you've also answered why MAPP gas is hotter, I've often wondered that too!

[@tookitogo]

@@SeanBZALeaded electronics solder is 63/37 (true eutectic) or 60/40, which is close enough and was slightly cheaper back when leaded was king. The first number is the tin, so 60/40 is 60% tin and 40% lead.

[@M.E63]

Some videos say put flux in the fitting and this one says don’t, so which one is correct ?

[@Howie57]

Make sure there's no fragments of wire wool in the joint

[@barrywatts8501]

I remember first day on my plumbing course we all had to solder a 15mm cupler infront of the whole class!! We all over did it. Been working with my brother in law for 2 years before this so done loads but the pressure when everyone was watching!! l😂😂

[@rapstar4575]

Wowza ❤

[@StevenAyre1]

10:30 Another way to deal with water in the pipe is to take the lid off a kitchen/bathroom spray, put the tube down the pipe as far as possible and use it to spray/suck the water out.

[@Micahberger1]

Great video!

[@mikebryan544]

Funny as mate nice one, good laugh on the job

[@johnspathonis1078]

Hi Does the UK still use soft solder. I thought most counties had moved to silver solder. In Australia this would be banned.

[@leighgardner3757]

I’ve been in the industry for 36 years always used soft solder without any issues I lived in nz for 7 years and they used silver solder due to the earthquake risk on joints don’t need to worry about that in the uk

[@robertlindsay9826]

Im alergic to steel wool. I use brillo pad to clean the pipe and fitting

[@blitzsuccess2303]

How do you know that no solder has went into the internals of the pipe and to avoid a solder blockage?

[@neilgage427]

When can we expect to see bread on the plumberparts Amazon store?

[@plumberparts]

Next week - it’s in the oven!

[@jamlarna]

I'm watching this because the other night I stupidly crews into a gas pipe under the floorboards (12am) and the carpet fitter was coming at 9 am to fit all the carpets , YES I did have a qualified gas safe plumber to come and put a new join on the pipe after he cut out my stupid mistake but I wanted to know how to solder a pipe in future/ IE water pipe just incase I do something stupid in the future 😅

[@cleomcn]

Great video

[@juanzelaya2647]

Good class thanks

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

Wire wool is no longer recommended to clean the pipe prior to soldering use Abrasive strip or a pipe cleaner as wire wool strands can break off and get in the pipe 🤔🤔 that's how i was taught Sir James of Cambridge and i ❤️ the after clean with 0000 ultra fine steel wool as shown by PB

[@birdszed]

Copper vs pen or p;attic pipes and solder vs speed fittings?

[@electrolatif]

Great video 👌

[@enrique3904]

I usually like to use wheat bread. It’s more heavy duty for stopping the water.

[@babyoda1973]

I got it for helping a friend's friend move and dump run and goodwill drop 😂

[@imconsequetau5275]

4:00 hot enough to burn off the flux ! 9:40 water limits the temperature to 100°C.

[@markellwood4132]

Billy no mates and his soldering. Hahahaha. After watching this I am buying a heat pump.

[@MegaPokergod]

Why are you touching the copper and fittings with your hands .Any moisture from your finger goes on the copper

[@elihissett7585]

I am reading the comments looking for this one.

[@kendalnichols3843]

Lesson 2 could be to debur the pipe.

[@sethburgin5994]

You didn't deburr the pipe. My father taught us plumbing. He did lead casting, oakum and lead bell end fitting sewer piping, and all kinds of odd old work that no one does today. I have his old tools and all of the hands on experience. We call the blobs of extra solder on the bottom of a sweated joint, a "Turkey Nut" or "Turkey Nuts". We used Flitz, Brasso and some polish for stainless steel firearms. I just blow the pipes out with compressed air. Dad would stuff bread in the pipe. It clogs fine screens in faucets and holes in shower heads. Freezing the pipe required a CO2 fire extinguisher, or a can of refrigerant for a car and it is way too expensive now.

[@TheTurfrex]

If its a 1/2" pipe than mark(bend) 1/2" of solder and so on.

[@jaycie5021]

I was looking for tips but this was very basic. The only thing that really allows to me is not using too much solder. I'm not a pro. And my solder joints don't look like a pros. But they don't leak. And they're in my basement. To clarify good video if i had watched it like 20 years ago.

[@David-uh9cc]

Heat the joint, pull the flame away, touch some solder to the joint and it will start melting when it is hot enough... Then it's ready...Touch the flame back again as needed...if ya leave the flame on the joint when you put the solder on it, you're just melting the solder and that's what causes drips and buildup.. also blue canister propane is just fine for residential water lines.. don't actually need MAPP... it's over kill.. the time difference to heat copper between the two is not that substantial..plus ya gotta have a dedicated MAPP nozzle.. I'm about saving money, not buying thr newest, fanciest tools and equipment... Ya just gotta be smarter than the task at hand.. thanks though..

[@shooterqqqq]

I couldn't solder a pipe because I neglected to loosen the fitting from the water heater. There was a small water leak at the shut off and air was pushing into the pipe and creating a small channel for the leak.

[@grummelfix]

What about deburring the pipe inside?

[@UrbanPlumbers]

No.1 mistake is using map gas😅😅😅

[@MrChrissy1r]

To be kinder to my delicate skin :-) I use a scotch brite to clean the pipe and fitting, I also prefer use Everflux, but never get it on your skin.

[@Brown969]

Fire: I destroy property Water: Hold my glass 😆

[@happyn7817]

You can use laco flux to clean pipes too

[@user-DANWALKER1066]

I was always and have been under the impression that 15mm pipe uses 15mm solder, 22mm pipe uses 22mm solder and so on for good filled joints…I would have said 5mm is not quite enough… but maybe it is..I’d rather have enough solder on a joint than not! I looked inside a joint once and it doesn’t fill up inside just drips on the outside with a blob…shows it’s a perfectly filled joint!

[@jaffplumbs26]

Legend 👍

[@yourdadsvan6763]

I still don’t understand understand using mapp gas on 15 mm copper. If your not careful you can overheat the pipe

[@Wobbly-World]

If you want a compression fitting to never leak (Especially on hot water pipes, that will expand, when hot, and contract as they cool, this eventually causes a leak, as the olive becomes loose on the pipe!!’) solder the olive on the pipe!!’ This turns your joint into a cone joint, assemble with PTFE or jointing compound, and I guarantee, done right, it will never leak, no matter how many Hot/Cold cycles it goes through.!!!’ If working with gas a compression joint is verboten, but by soldering the olive, and making a cone joint, it becomes an approved fitting, and will not leak ever!!!’ Takes a little longer to do but on hot water pipes, and gas fittings, well worth the effort, and extra time!!!’ ຈل͜ຈ .

[@DavidNelson42]

1a de-burr the inside end of the pipe.

[@ganishnutinishnu7370]

You used the right amount of solder the first time. The solder does go all the way round in the pipe. Also when soldering you should not move the blow torch all around the pipe it is better and safer to hold it in one lositiion and not move it. The pipe is going to get incredibly hot so there is no need to move it around.

[@qmob0121]

Flux is self cleaning ??????

[@Realworldnews247]

Throw the torch in the bin and get a pro press 😂 save money on your public liability insurance 👍

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

🤣🤣🤣❤️❤️❤️™️ Press don't stress

[@jimmycreamer7905]

Sandpaper,wire brush …….scratch the pipe solder fills in the scratches better bond.

[@neilbrinker9225]

Blutty ell mate! When ya gonna ream the pipe!

[@neilfoster814]

What I do when soldering a joint is, immediately after the solder goes in, wipe the joint round with a wet or damp rag. This not only removes any drips of solder, but if there are any pinholes in the solder wiping it will fill those pinholes before the solder sets solid.

[@Pseudify]

I’ve heard this is not advised because that will cool the solder down too quickly and could create micro fractures, sort of like a windshield breaking in the winter.

[@LichtFer]

The hug is "abrazo"

[@josephmueller1545]

#7: Not wearing eye protection

[@mickyue9928]

Not wearing eye protect soldering above head piping and use too much solder then it drop into …..

[@adhafer4542]

Safety squints count?

[@originalbinaryhustler3876]

who wears eye protection when soldering ? 😂

[@jamesnewman556]

​@@originalbinaryhustler3876 people who are bad at soldering

[@pencilme1n]

Just use plastic if you're a DIYer. Soldered copper gives the neatest slimline appearance for plumbing on show.

[@johnhehir508]

Soldering with bread ,did you know that people who travelled around rural Ireland ,fixing pots and pans use to use wet chewed bread to help solder joints ,that chewed bread became known as A tinkers curse 😂😂😂😂

[@gordslater]

I'm always scared to use emery cloth because my uncle Jimmy told me he caught a nasty case of Dick Emery when he was in the army.

[@ScottyDog345]

Laco cleans the pipe

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Who knew? I do now, thanks.

[@duncanbuk-c8t]

Empty the water from the pipe with a hand spray from a squirty bottle.

[@rvalens2]

You need to add a 7th mistake - not deburring the pipe.

[@joebob227]

Thank you for making a nice easy list on these! I'm a home handyman and can do almost anything to code, but plumbing scares the living **** out of me for how bad it can go if not done right. Trying to build up my confidence to do a small job replacing a hot water heater and this definitely helps! :)

[@paulhealey2984]

Its called 'wetting action'.!

[@fredfox1764]

i like your style mate

[@djones-np8ik]

You fail 5o mention the need to clean the acid flux after completing thenjoint, thats why they go green, the acid is still corroding the copper!

[@kipster-ll6po]

As an American, I understood, maybe, 85% percent of what you said in this video. So now I'll never learn to solder. 😜

[@ikabod6908]

Emily said..... about your small tip...

[@harpo187bling]

Le adder noir

[@jonathancruz6156]

PROPRESS