I do all my own plumbing, but this one I'm going to let for the professionals. My question is from curiosity rather than from a DIY point of view.
If you need absolutely dry joints in order for solder to set, how do plumbers solder a gate valve at the main shut-off? Are there any secrets (don't laugh) like vacuuming water from the supply line (which in this case is a private well)?
If it's a private well, it's pretty simple: turn power off to the pump and drain the pressure tank.
If city water, there's normally a buried shutoff between the water main and the meter. That's so the city can shut your water off if you don't pay your bills. :-) And incidentally it makes it convenient for plumbers in situations such as you describe.
-- Regards, Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)
Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt. And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?
I've always seen flared valve fittings installed at the street and meter. ex:
Doug Miller wrote:
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