How do I get bad joints on copper

[scon1]

I have been using the presoldered joints for a while, usually with no issues. Recently I have had a series of bad joints on a hot water pipe. Am I missing something?
Turn off water, open tap for vent.
I clean the outside of both pipes with wire wool.
Thinly smear flux over the outside of all pipes.
Slide on T joint, to the 3 pipes.
Light Butane / Propane mix torch, get blue flame.
Wave inner blue flame over the T piece, bottom, middle then top.
The bottom and middle joints have the solder bubble out from end.
The top joint remains dry.
The joint is fairly tight against a wall, but I have tried to heat the back first.
After testing, top joint has slight leak. Reheat joint, adding more solder but solder just falls off.
Any ideas?
I have never had a joint so difficult to seal!

 

[Whyme]

12 months? U do any work!

Haha im not a gas man who blanket fluxes everything lol.

 

[Whyme]

must be a push fit man whyme

behave.

 

[Cello]

As jtsplumbing says, steel wire left in the joint will cause small leaks. I have also experienced this problem and now I always wipe the pipe and the inside of the fitting with a cotton cloth before making the joint to ensure that all bits of wire are removed. Since doing this I have not had a joint that leaked!

 

[Leo21]

What's your trade? Builder carpenter? Your problem maybe you haven't had the right training.

 

[Ermintrude]

As jtsplumbing says, steel wire left in the joint will cause small leaks. I have also experienced this problem and now I always wipe the pipe and the inside of the fitting with a cotton cloth before making the joint to ensure that all bits of wire are removed. Since doing this I have not had a joint that leaked!

But the amount of time it takes means I only do two joints a week. Some mug said he didn't use a flux brush cos it left hair in joint? Good luck soldering 28mm and an over

 

[pipefitter]

Wow a thread on soldering ...I hate laco ...love everflux...just make sure you clean it off while hot ..lovely joints everytime..but then again I'm fully trained in the dark arts

 

[Best]

Wow a thread on soldering ...I hate laco ...love everflux...just make sure you clean it off while hot ..lovely joints everytime..but then again I'm fully trained in the dark arts

I know a lot of guys prefer the Everflux, but there is no getting past the fact that it is highly corrosive stuff! I won't ever use it tbh & it will obviously run inside the pipes & surely not good for a dry pipe such as a gas pipe.
I have came across a lot of soldered joints where the solder itself is noticeably dry & I have seen these leaking. I have been able to simply rub the cold solder off the pipe using a bit of well worn emery cloth after I heated & removed the old fitting. I am not sure what flux was used with the plumber, but sure it was an acid based one & likely Everflux.

 

[Worcester]

When cleaning the pipe / joint any reason not to use S/S pan scrubbers?
For: No bits, seems to get them just as clean, doesn't go rusty, last ages, less scratches, doesn't wreck your hand if not wearing gloves
Against: ?

 

[Ermintrude]

We use 3m fine finishing pads , look like the green things u clean pans with but last longer. Bought a box of them from buck n hickman over a year ago..... Box did cost ££££££ tho

Miles better than rollies or the pads u but in packet. U do however need to cut them in to strips - massive task

 

[Centralheatking]

There was some flux years ago called 'Bakers Blue' I put into
my eye by accidend on M4 cause i had not washed my hands

- in the end I ripped out the washer bottle of my transit on the hard shoulder
to get an eye wash it was agony Centralheatking

Frys power flux

 

[Centralheatking]

Some fitter known to you all also did not clean his hands and
fingers and under his nails one evening properly and
'mucking about with his bride' to be
caused a lot of trouble - downstairs

beware centralheatking

 

[Leo21]

There was some flux years ago called 'Bakers Blue' I put into
my eye by accidend on M4 cause i had not washed my hands

- in the end I ripped out the washer bottle of my transit on the hard shoulder
to get an eye wash it was agony Centralheatking

Pictures?

 

[Ermintrude]

Some fitter known to you all also did not clean his hands and
fingers and under his nails one evening properly and
'mucking about with his bride' to be
caused a lot of trouble - downstairs

beware centralheatking

Think you should refer to croppie as croppie no wife to be, not common knowledge you to were once married

 

[Centralheatking]

I love Jon Cropp but it is entirely a platonic relationship
centralheatking

Think you should refer to croppie as croppie no wife to be, not common knowledge you to were once married

 

[SimonG]

Bunch of soft tarts. Its wire wool all the way. Just make sure there's no strands left in the fitting.