DIY result, will it hold?

binary · April 23

Hi all,

My apartment's main shut off valves for both hot and cold failed. I opt to do the job myself. It is of the solder on type.

Being new to soldering pipes I practiced a few rounds before I actually did the replacement.

The new shut off valves are Apollo 1/2", I followed all directions such as cleaned the pipe ends and used tinning flux with low temp solder.

I aimed the torch blowing down and pointed away from the ball valve. The solder was placed at the bottom of the pipe and sucked up by the heat via capillary action. However I noticed that one of the end where the space is very confined the solder job looks poor. Please see attached. So far it has not leaked and is holding. In your opinion do you think it will leak or fail in the future? Thank you all in advance.

109A_5 · April 24

Hard to say, if what you see is the only issue and the other 98% of the joint is good it will probably last. I find the cleaning prep helps the most, get it all super clean, I even clean the 1/8" wide edge part of the larger female part so the solder flows to it too.

mattmia2 · April 24

can't tell. if that is the only void it is just cosmetic. if it didn't wet inside the joint it may leak. if it wetted right there should be solder in 90% of the length of the socket and it isn't an issue

EBEBRATT-Ed · April 24

Probably ok. Its what is inside that counts.

ethicalpaul · April 24

Should have used Sharkbite!

hot_rod · April 24

Only way to know is cut it apart and hammer the two pieces apart. The heat application has a lot to do with how the solder draws into the socket. Water soluble flux and no lead solder are a bit tricky to work with. Easy to burn the connection black then solder will not pull in. Sounds like yours pulled in some solder?

"Capping off" is a term sometimes used to describe putting a bead around the end of a joint. But it shouldn't be dependent on to seal the joint, more for cosmetics on loose fittings.

A true pro would have caught that drip and cleaned it off :)

Bottom line, does it leak?

Intplm. · April 24

@binary Turn the water on and take a look. You have done a pretty good looking job for a first timer. If it leaks, you'll have to fix it just like anyone else… whether they be a first timer or a seasoned veteran.

Tell us how it worked out?

Alan (California Radiant) Forbes · April 25

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1853444#Comment_1853444

I agree: Excellent work for your first time and you didn’t burn the place down.
I wouldn’t worry about that gap in the solder; it happens.
Soldering was easier when lead was OK to use in the solder and also in the fittings. Lead Free is more finicky.

mattmia2 · April 25

different alloys also flow better than others. the box stores mostly have the ones that are cheap, not the ones that flow well.

Bcos17 · April 25

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1853519#Comment_1853519

What's the best in your experience?

DIY result, will it hold?

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