"Dave" <galt snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com wrote
> > snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com (ississauga) wrote
> > >
> > > I am using a propane torch to melt a recently made solder joint
> > > holding together half inch copper plumbing pipes, but the solder > won't
> > > melt no matter how long I heat it for. I leaked out the water and
> > > heated once till copper pipe turned red. Is there another way to > melt
> > > the solder ?
> >
> > Pipe may be deformed. I had a real struggle with a small plumbing job
> > recently. My main trouble was water hiding in the pipes. Probably
> > worth having a MAPP gas torch for that. Also had a number of tiny
> > leaks even though I had cleaned and fluxed each joint. Is there
> > anything extra that can be done for better joints?
>
> Water converts to steam when enough heat is applied to boil water. Steam
> expands to a tremendous volume and seeks all exits from the plumbing,
> including molten solder in a joint. Air expands as it is heated too. It
> also builds pressure and wants to escape the plumbing. In a closed area
> of the plumbing system, both are guaranteed to cause soldered joints to
> leak. The more heat the more expansion. I suppose we could say the
> bigger the leak but that doesn't always prove to be true.
Well once I had a known leak then water was a problem but I don't know if water was my initial problem. Maybe next time I will try cleaning the joint area with alcohol first.