how to solder dripping pipes

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 1:01 pm

I have re-posted this topic as it was deleted during the forum upgrade!

It is possible to solder dripping pipes as long as they are feeding only taps and not the boiler. Using this method on a pipe feeding a boiler can damage the heat exchanger!

Personally I would use either a push fit fitting or a compression joint as this makes more sense on a dripping pipe, but here is a tip that I picked up from a plumber some years ago.

Roll a piece of bread into a ball and push it as far up the dripping pipe as possible using a suitable piece of wire etc. The bread will soak up the water drips and expand- stopping the drips of water. Solder the pipe and then restore the water to the pipe, now open the tap on the same pipe and the bread will be dislodged by the water pressure and will be forced out of the tap in small pieces!

Hinton Heating · Post by **Hinton Heating** » Mon Jan 16, 2006 10:05 pm

Hopefully, the bread will come out!

I would recommend either a compression or plastic fit, any water around will cool a pipe, so soldering will be difficult, even if not actually dripping.

8)