Soldering Problems.

[easyt]

I have not soldered pipes for 30 odd years. I have some soldered joints to do' I did a few test peices - no problem. Reheated and stripped to check good flow.

Made 3 joints afterwards fine. 4th joint failed and despite stripping, cleaning and refluxing and redoing several times - no joy.

Any thoughts.

Nobody say 'Get a Plumber' please.

 

[WHPES]

If it doesn't work first time, start with fresh pipe and fittings. Don't try and remake failed joints.

Did you wiggle the pipe in the fitting after taking the heat off before the solder had set?

Was the pipe hot enough for the solder to easily flow?

Is your flux fresh or is it what you had from 30 years ago?

Did you wire brush all the oxide film back to bright?

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

as above and make sure not too much heat and is cleaned properly

make sure you wire wool the inside on the fitting as well!

 

[easyt]

If it doesn't work first time, start with fresh pipe and fittings. Don't try and remake failed joints.

Did you wiggle the pipe in the fitting after taking the heat off before the solder had set?

Was the pipe hot enough for the solder to easily flow?

Is your flux fresh or is it what you had from 30 years ago?

Did you wire brush all the oxide film back to bright?

Fresh flux and Solder.

Must have been hot enough as Elbow joint to one pipe full cover, to 2nd pipe nil.

Have started again.

I take it that I can heat, open and remake a successful joint ?

Polished fittings and pipes till they shone with wire wool

If it doesn't work first time, start with fresh pipe and fittings. Don't try and remake failed joints.

Did you wiggle the pipe in the fitting after taking the heat off before the solder had set?

Was the pipe hot enough for the solder to easily flow?

Is your flux fresh or is it what you had from 30 years ago?

Did you wire brush all the oxide film back to bright?

as above and make sure not too much heat and is cleaned properly

Think too much heat could be a culprit but can't see why solder did not try to run on just one half of joint.
make sure you wire wool the inside on the fitting as well!

 

[Mbear]

Buy yorkie fittings, and redo the elbows. U should have less issues with yorkies, far easier to work with

 

[Toddyplumb]

Water in pipe ?

 

[easyt]

Water in pipe ?

Dry on the bench job.

Started again took the elbow off and krpt the section that had soldered OK. Cut a new piece for the one that wouldn't. Put a new elbow on. Seems OK this time. twisted them and no movement.and seems OK.