I need to replace a right angled solder fitting that has a hole in it.
The fitting is touching the wall - just plain bricks.
Do I *have* to place some protection behind the fitting, or will the brickwork be OK when I heat the copper (and therefore the bricks) with a gas flame.
If you heat direct on the bricks, the bricks will explode tiny red hot pieces on you. Buy a cheap heat proof mat (abou two quid) and do the job safely. An alternate would be a metal shield (not as good though)
Now, if I were to slide a heat proof mat behind the fitting, the fitting would then be sitting on the mat - I have only a mm or so clearance between the fitting and the wall.
Can I direct a flame right on to one of these mats? Will it take the heat away from the joint?
An ordinary ceramic wall or floor tile works just fine as well. I've not had trouble with a brick exploding, though - thought they were fired at a higher temperature than that needed to solder?
It depends on how damp they are at the time. An ordinary house brick can hold a pint of water, although you have problems if one on an inside wall is doing so. A damp brick heated quickly will form steam inside and the steam can blow bits off some types of brick.
Your flame should be pointing at the fitting - not the mat. And the width of the flame should be no wider than the fitting. As such the mat won't be taking direct heat, it will simply be gaining heat from touching the fitting - and because it's rate of conductivity will be low then you are okay for long enough to fix the fitting.
Odd that you've got a fitting with a hole in it though! Time to move that dartboard I think..... ;)
PoP
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