- 1). Use the cloth to clean and wipe the inside of the female pipe connection and the outside of the male connection of the pipes to be joined. Bring the pipes to your soldering area or workstation.
- 2). Unravel 2 inches of solder from the roll. Bend the loose piece so that it is sticking straight out from the roll. Connect the two pipes together, ensuring a tight fit. Secure the now connected pipes into the metal clamp so that the joint is exposed and accessible from all angles. Ensure that the female end of the connection is facing upwards. Do not attempt to solder the pipe while holding it in your hand.
- 3). Put on the goggles and gloves. Start the soldering torch using the manufacturer's recommended method. Heat the pipe joint and surrounding piping with the torch for one minute. Pick up the solder roll with your free hand. Place the tip of the loose solder strand against the male pipe 1/2 inch above the lip of the female pipe joint's end. This is the right angle where the male pipe meets the female pipe.
- 4). Place the soldering torch flame directly at the lip of the joint. Allow the solder to melt and drip downwards as it touches the hot pipe. Move the solder and torch around the stationary pipe and allow the solder to leak down between the pipes and into the joint at every point. Visually examine the copper pipe to ensure that the entire joint space is filled with the grayish solder.
- 5). Turn off the torch and allow the copper pipes to cool for an hour. Test the joint to ensure it is watertight by covering one end with one hand, filling the pipe with water and covering the second end with the other hand. Ensure that no water leaks out of the soldered joint. Repeat soldering if a leak is present.
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