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Two main ways to solder copper pipes

There are two choices when you solder copper pipe: soft solder or silver solder. Silver solder is stronger than the soft solder and is easier to apply. However silver solder must be hotter.

Soft Solder

For soft solder you need to clean the pipe and the fitting well and then brush flux onto the pipe and the fitting and then fit together. Heat the fitting with a blow torch until the flame starts to on green and then apply the solder. The solder will quickly melt and run into the joint between the pipe and the fitting.

Soft Solder Tips

• All joints to be soldered must be very clean or solder will not work properly - clean with fine sand paper or fine wire brush
• Put flux (for soft solder) on all cleaned parts before bringing the joints together
• Always flush the pipe with a good amount of water before using it for drinking
• Always flush into a bucket first as flux can stain baths, tiles and fittings

Silver Solder

For silver solder you will need a hotter flame, so use a oxy torch or Mapp gas and a blow torch. Mapp gas is available at your local plumber supplies and hardware store. Make sure the pipe and fitting are fairly clean and heat up until both the fitting and the pipe glow red. Apply the solder and it will melt and run into the joint to form a strong join.

Silver Solder Tips

• All joints should be fairly clean
• You must use Mapp Gas or Oxy to get the copper hot enough
• You do not need flux when soldering copper to copper joints
• You must use silver solder flux when soldering copper to brass fittings
• Try to buy the non-toxic flux and make sure you flush the pipes when finished