How to Sweat Copper Pipes

You dry fit, sand and flux the pipes before you sweat them. Sweating the pipes is just a term for soldering them. The flame of an acetylene torch heats the pipes and of course when someone gets heated, they sweat, hence the term for sweating the pipes. Take all safety precautions in this step and have enough space to eliminate the hazard of a fire.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Copper pipe and fittings
• Flux
• Secure holder for the pipe
• Solder
• Acetylene torch
• Lighter

1. Keep the pipe clean before you begin the process of soldering. If dirt gets on the flux, wipe the pipe down and flux again. You need the area clean when you solder it.

2. Secure the pipe so that the area you solder is easily accessible and holds the pipe snugly. You want it to remain steady throughout the process when you sweat the copper pipes.

3. Light the acetylene torch and find the thickest part of the copper to heat. The place where the two pipes overlap is normally the spot to begin the process.

4. Heat the copper thoroughly until it glows. Expect to see a bit of smoke as you heat it. This is normal, so don't worry. It's time to apply the solder once the area is thoroughly heated.

5. Use a long piece of solder and hook the end. Lightly move the end of the solder against the edge of the fitting. The solder melts if the area is thoroughly heated. The solder sucks up into the opening and between the two pipes.

6. Go around the entire pipe and fitting area when you sweat the copper pipes. Don't miss a spot. You can see all the areas that solder hits. Be thorough in the process. Move the solder around one last time to be certain that it is covered.

7. Proceed to the other side of the fitting if pipe comes from both sides. Allow the pipe to cool before you touch it.

Tips & Warnings

• The pipe is extremely hot after soldering. Let it thoroughly cool before you make any attempt to remove it from its position.