Soldering old water pipes advice

[Hughieboy]

Hi

I normally just work with gas, my main work is installing fires and cookers.

However, I'm fitting a new bathroom at home and need to alter some radiator pipes.

The pipes in question are 15mm copper and run in under the floor from the adjoining bedroom. I can just about get my hands and cutter to where I need to cut them which is effectively under the wall and when I've done it I will be laying a laminate floor over the boards so I'm reluctant to use speedfit/push fit fittings as I think soldered would be best for the future.

On the odd occasions I have soldered water pipes before I have once or twice had problems with the joints leaking due to the crap and dampness inside I guess and wonder if anyone can advise on how to best prepare them to prevent this happening. The access is pretty tight and really I need to get it right first time as if I mess it up there won't be a lot of room to trim it back and have a second go.

Any tips on this would be much appreciated, or should I try see if I can squeeze compression fittings in there somehow?

Also, if my suspicions about speedfit/push fit are unfounded then I would be grateful for advice on this,

Thanks!

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Isolate and drain the heating opening all the bleed vents, then cut the pipes and blow down them to get rid of all the water, you can also use a wet vac to suck any water out if you don't like having black lips!
Refill and test before you relay floor.

 

[gasmanrob]

Obviously drain it all out. When you cut the pipe try and lift it slightly to tip any water back away from the joint. I now just stick a wet vac on it as I cut the pipe and let it clear any water left behind.

as for prepping the pipe run some flux over the pipe to be soldered heat for a few seconds and wipe clean if needed show it some wire wool then wipe clean again

 

[lame plumber]

clean and clean again, use something like powerflux to get decent soldered joints, dont use wire wool either, flecks can cause weeps

 

[turnpin]

Hi Hughieboy if it were me I would lift up more floor now rather in the future try to think how difficult it would be to fix were it to leak I appreciate it may not be easy but trust me it will be a lot safer I would only alter pipework under floors using soldered fittings best of luck regards Turnpin:27:

 

[Hughieboy]

Isolate and drain the heating opening all the bleed vents, then cut the pipes and blow down them to get rid of all the water, you can also use a wet vac to suck any water out if you don't like having black lips!
Refill and test before you relay floor.

Thanks for the advice.

Might be a silly question, but if there's a build of lime scale or whatever around the inside should I let the pipes dry out for an amount of time after sucking the moisture out before attempting soldering? Or should it be ok straight off?

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

As long as you have got most of the water out it should be fine, before you put a fitting on the pipe give it some heat with your torch, if the pipe dries quickly and water doesn't run back you should be okay to solder.

 

[Hughieboy]

Thanks everyone..... I would cut back further but there's no way I can get to the pipework further back. It comes from under the wall and behind that in the other room is a fitted wardrobe and a new carpet with a king size bed standing on it!

Glad to have my suspicions confirmed that I should definitely use a soldered joint and appreciate the tip about using a wet vac, cheers!

 

[AWheating]

clean well, and use a solder ring fitting if its hard to reach.

 

[Chris F]

if i am soldering with a hint of water in on rads i give it a blast with mapp gas and leaded solder.
And even tho i thought i would never use it those rothenberger pipe preps come in handy in a tight space.Dont use compressions if you cant get to them later.

 

[Best]

Clean the pipes with emery cloth first, as it is the one of the best quick ways of cleaning a dirty copper pipe & then finish it with steel wool or abrasive pad. Take a look all around the cleaned end using a mirror & a torch to be sure. Use a Yorkshire connector if it is easier & to solder it, simply just heat it until solder melts & just dab solder (which is dipped into flux) on the top of joint & let it flow around the joint & come to a drip. Don't do anything else with it as the joint should be perfect & a drip of solder hanging on a horizontal connector below the floor won't matter.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Clean the pipes with emery cloth first, as it is the one of the best quick ways of cleaning a dirty copper pipe & then finish it with steel wool or abrasive pad. Take a look all around the cleaned end using a mirror & a torch to be sure. Use a Yorkshire connector if it is easier & to solder it, simply just heat it until solder melts & just dab solder (which is dipped into flux) on the top of joint & let it flow around the joint & come to a drip. Don't do anything else with it as the joint should be perfect & a drip of solder hanging on a horizontal connector below the floor won't matter.

Sac le bleu

you should use your finger to remove the snot.......you will not enjoy it and it will burn your fingerprints away BUT you can go to bed and sleep easy with a big smile upon your face!

 

[Best]

Sac le bleu

you should use your finger to remove the snot.......you will not enjoy it and it will burn your fingerprints away BUT you can go to bed and sleep easy with a big smile upon your face!

Lol! If I know a fitting below the floor is full on, nice & clean & properly heated with good flux, then I think it a waste of time & more likely to do harm to an awkward joint I am heating to start wiping it. I clean the flux residue off the joint when it cools & the drip of solder won't matter to anyone as it is all below the floor.

 

[happyflyer]

clean well, and use a solder ring fitting if its hard to reach.

A,

This is the only time I would suggest push fit, if he can get the cutters in he can get a push fit on, am I really saying all this...he won't need a blow-lamp....what's a blow-lamp anyway...:dizzy2:

Cheers A.


His biggest problem will be getting rid of the water to solder if he's not done it before, get down to B&Q push fit section, get a trade card or take your dad on Wednesday 10% extra discount, some good old plumbers there for advice. heee

 

[Hughieboy]

Used the wet vac advice, cleaned pipe well and soldered using end feed fitting..... Took a chance as didn't have Yorkshire to hand... And all worked well. Thanks fellas

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

Well done mate, glad all went okay.

 

[Andyswad]

I'm old school myself and not too keen on plastic push fit but surely they have their uses and we should embrace new technology sometime? Why struggle?