How to Cap a Copper Plumbing Line
Sometimes a copper water line is no longer needed. Sealing or capping the water line permanently is required if the pipe will be enclosed in a wall or cabinetry. Copper pipe fitting suppliers stock caps. These items fit over the open end of the pipe or line and are soldered in place. This process requires soldering and pipe fitting skills common to most copper pipe plumbing tasks. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Pipe cutter
- Flux
- Sand cloth
- Solder
- Torch
- Fire-resistant drape
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Instructions
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Cut the copper pipe to length and clean the cut edge of all burrs or rough edges. Clean the exterior 2 inches of the pipe with a sand cloth.
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Apply soldering flux to the interior of the cap and the exterior of the pipe. Flux is a powder than removes oxidation from the copper surface when heat is applied, furnishing a better surface for the two components to bond. Fit the cap over the pipe and wipe away any excess flux. Twist the cap and push on it until the cap fits as deeply on the pipe as possible.
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Heat the tube with a gas or propane torch. Switch back and forth between the pipe and cap to pre-heat both items. Avoid overheating the copper and stop heating if the flux begins to burn or shows signs of melting.
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Fit the cap over the pipe. Push the solder into the joint between the cap and pipe at the bottom of the fitting. Continue to apply heat to the bottom of the fitting. Feed the solder into the seam as the melted solder is drawn into the fitting by capillary action.
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Feed solder into the seam between the cap and pipe all around the pipe. Continue applying the solder until solder is visible all around the base of the cap.
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Tips & Warnings
Check the cap for leaks after allowing the solder to cool.
Soldering uses open flames and high heat. Drape the work area with fire-retardant materials and keep a fire extinguisher nearby during soldering.
