How can installers ensure that they achieve a reliable, safe and neat finish when soldering copper pipework? Steve Brookes, Brand Manager at Hyde, highlights some of the best solutions which are easy and efficient to use on both new and old pipework systems.
Despite the increased use of plastic piping and the rising cost of metal, copper pipework remains the material of choice for many heating engineers. There are a number of reasons why this is so, not least because gas safety regulations stipulate that at least the first metre of pipework from a boiler must be metal. Many installers choosing copper therefore simply carry on with it throughout the system, at least for the pipework that is visible as it looks neater than its plastic alternative, particularly on domestic installations.
Copper is also a tried and very much trusted material for gas and water systems, having been used for hundreds of years. This also means of course that it can commonly be found in existing housing stock, with heating and plumbing engineers coming across it on the majority of maintenance jobs they are called to. Copper is also durable, lightweight and safe to use, so it is not difficult to see why it remains a popular choice among installers and homeowners alike.
Safe and secure
In order to ensure absolute safety though, as with any pipework it is imperative that a secure connection is achieved, and when working with copper soldering is the most common way of ensuring this is so. Even the most experienced of installers have a few tools in their arsenal that are regularly called upon when soldering copper pipework to help them work more efficiently while putting safety first and achieving a neat and tidy finish for their client. On the top of the list will be a good quality soldering flux and that’s because the surface being joined must be completely clean in order for a totally reliable soldering connection to be achieved.
When it comes to copper piping for gas supply systems, not just any old flux will do either. It mustn’t contain any zinc-chlorides or you run the risk of the pipework corroding over time, creating the nasty and labour intensive problem of pin-hole corrosion. The solution is to opt for a non-acid, non-toxic and lead free flux. A flux that boasts a super detergent action as it solders will raise efficiency levels, while a water soluble flux can’t really be beaten when it comes to flushing through pipelines effectively and efficiently.
Taking care
With copper pipework being so prevalent among existing housing stock, it is not only when soldering new pipework that reliable tools and suitable solutions are called upon by heating and plumbing engineers. Repairs to existing pipework are notorious for throwing up the biggest obstacles for soldering. Using hot works in a confined area, up against skirting boards or joists, poses fire and damage risks which is why care and time needs to be taken.
To speed up the process and make life easier, many plumbers use a heat mat, but that often leaves them soldering with just the one hand, which is far from ideal, particularly when in tricky positions. A better and safer solution is to use a heat barrier spray that will stick to any non-porous surface and protect it from the heat of the soldering flame.
Heat sprays also eliminate the danger of burnt hands when adding joints to an existing run of copper pipework, protect any plastic clips from melting during soldering and stop any soldered joints from being weakened. The better sprays on the market will also evaporate within a few hours of being applied, which means there’s no mess left behind.
In order to speed up efficiency and carry out a quality job that will last the test of time, such simple yet effective tools and solutions are well worth a little extra investment.
