Many first time home renovators are intimidated with copper plumbing because of its unforgiving nature. While it is true that copper can sometimes be a little tricky to work with, it is also a very stable, resilient and versatile plumbing material. Unlike plastic pipes, copper pipe takes special tools and practiced skills to get it right. Just be aware that you will be using a red hot soldering torch with equally hot solder in order to “sweat the joints” probably in a tight or enclosed cupboard space. But it’s not as intimidating as it sounds. Once you learn to respect the medium, soldering copper tubing will just be another skill you can use in your arsenal of tools when remodelling or renovating your bathroom.

"Summary: Soldering copper pipes is a plumbing skill that can also be a plumbing challenge. Here are some DIY plumbing soldering tips to connect copper tubing that requires you sweating copper pipes. With a soldering torch, the right plumbing supplies and some practice you can repair your copper pipes like a master plumber on your next plumbing project."

The tools you will need when working with copper pipe are:
1) Copper tubing and fittings
2) Wheel cutter for cutting copper pipe
3) Soldering torch and solder
4) Gloves and protective welder goggles
5) Cleaning tools (wire brush or soap free abrasive scrubbing pad and rag)
6) Flux and brush

If you need to cut your copper pipe to size you can use a wheel cutter or a miniature hacksaw to get the job done. Before you can use the copper pipes you first must to utilize your wire brush to clean the copper tube ends called hubs. It is required that you clean at least an inch at each end, both inside and outside the copper tube until each pipe end is shiny. Next generously spread on flux onto the copper pipe’s end as well as the inside of the fitting using a small brush. Be sure to wipe off any excess flux using your rag.

On this plumbing project, before you solder, it is easier to hold the material if you unravel about thirty inches of solder from the spool and wrap in around your palm so it is easily accessible and offers you better control when applying the solder. As a precautionary measure, it is important that you remove any plastic or rubber parts from the shutoff valve because you don’t want the heat to damage them.

Image by iLoveButter

Using your soldering torch, heat both sides of the lowest hub on the pipe fitting until it is hot. Gently press the solder to the fitting and continue to heat the fitting until the heat causes the solder to melt. Continue around the pipe until it is surrounded by solder. It is important to note here that before the solder solidifies, you should wipe away any excess solder from each joint before it hardens. And make sure you wipe away from yourself because you don’t want hot solder getting on you.

While some copper plumbing jobs may involve some tricky soldering and the thought of working with a solder torch in a confined space may not be appealing or even wise for some people, it is still a learnable skill that will provide you with the satisfaction that you did the job your self and in the process saved some money on your bathroom renovation project.

Take a welding course to give you the tools to get the job done properly!

Home improvement categories that give you expert bathroom renovation advice, bathroom design resource, bathroom remodeling techniques for newbies, bathroom trending news and bathroom product reviews for the latest information about bathrooms.

Learn about bath renos best pratices