I have to solder 1/2-inch copper to the shower mixer/manifold. The street shut-off valve won't turn off the water completely, so there is always some small amount of water filling the pipes (they are oriented vertically).
How do I overcome this situation of water in the pipes where I need to solder? Surely one can't boil the water in the pipes with a little propane torch...
I thought about turning on some water valve in the house that is lower, but even the bib in the garden is taller than these pipes.
I've heard if you've got standing water in the pipes that you can wick it out with rope, or such, so you can solder, but I haven't heard any such trick for running water.
What's the trick?