Solder joint that cannot be taken apart

ajbaker

Hi all.

Im hoping someone can help with a rather urgent problem. Last night I finished soldering two 22mm copper pipes with two right angle bends, two 22x22x15 tees, several joins etc. that forms part of my central heating system. The joints are all in close proximity. I have used Yorkshire fittings for all of these joints.

After flushing the pipes in order to test for water tightness, one joint was leaking - because I had completely forgotten to apply heat directly to that one joint so the solder had not melted as far as I can tell.

Is there any way to fix/solder this one joint without taking everything apart? Since everything is in close proximity if I cut the T out, I will need to replace many of the other joints too. The pipe will not remove from the joint indicating a little of the solder may have already melted.

Whilst I did flux it obviously, I am guessing that will no longer work since water has passed through the joint and has been left for 24 hours. The pipes should now be dry at least.

Is there anything I can do to rescue it?

Thanks in advance.

BTW, last night I tried to apply heat to the joint in order to seperate it. It would not move but this may be because the pipes were not yet dry and the water absorbed the heat. I will try again tonight but was hoping someone could recommend a method without separating the joints.

alanobrien

You could try wrapping heat resistant matting around the other joints, it will reduce direct contact but not conduction.
Good luck with it !

p4u1_2

I usually wrap a wet rag around the joint I want to protect.

Regarding the bad joint, you could try applying some flux around the joint before heating it up and applying a little more solder. Might work, but the right way is to remove the joint and start again.

Good luck!

ajbaker

Thank you for your suggestions. I wrapped a wet cloth around the other joints covered with some kitchen foil to prevent it from burning.

I originally tried to apply a little more solder to the joint. However the flux must have been washed through with the water, and applying flux to the outside of the joint just caused the solder to run off the pipe.

After cutting a single pipe (which didnt fit well anyway) I was able to apply heat and remove the pipe from the T fitting altogether. Looking more closely it appears none of the solder had melted from inside the fitting. After a clean up, wire wool, a little flux, heat and a little extra solder I am hoping the joint should turn out as good as new.

Thanks again for your help. Next question... rad valves... but that will be a new topic!