Above-Ground Pipe Leak: sodering problem

[orbiter]

i`m repairing a leaking copper water joint but even though I heat it with a propane torch for several minutes the solder won`t melt. Any ideas?

[JimBelle]

Originally Posted by orbiter

i`m repairing a leaking copper water joint but even though I heat it with a propane torch for several minutes the solder won`t melt. Any ideas?

You MUST drain the pipe COMPLETELY of any and all water or the heat just transfers to the water and is lost. If this is impossible or too difficult, you can stick a small piece of bread into the opening that is producing the water drip and you will get a few minutes of dryness to sweat the joint shut. The bread will quickly break down and be flushed out through any nearby faucet as soon as you turn on the water again. You may need to remove the strainer if there is one on the faucet you turn on first so the bread particles that accumulate there can be removed.

[orbiter]

thx....your were right; that solved the heat problem. Now I resoldered the old joint 4 times and it still leaks. Should I call a plumber or maybe start cutting out the 90 degree connector and add new pipe and connectors?

[JimBelle]

It is critical that the pipe ends and fittings are VERY clean before pushing them into the fitting. They must be cleaned with emery cloth or wire brush cleaner tool to a shiny clean finish. As you are soldering, there has to be at least one open valve somewhere on the dry side of the joint so that as you heat it up and the air inside expands, it has a place to go. Otherwise, it will escape through your nice new solder joint and create an air hole through the fresh solder as it cools.