Solder a Shut-Off Valve
Shut-off valves are installed in hot and cold water copper pipe lines so if you ever have to disconnect a sink, you don't have to turn off the main water line, which cuts water off to the entire house. A shut-off valve allows you to turn off the water flowing to one part of the house. If you've soldered copper tubing in the past then you won't have any trouble soldering a shut-off valve. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Turn off the main water line valve where the water line enters the basement. Take a copper tubing cutter and cut a section of copper tubing out of the water line. Measure off a 1 1/4-inch section of copper tubing somewhere in the water line to accommodate the insertion of the shut-off valve into the line.
2. Tip both cut ends of the copper water line down to release the water in the line. No water can be present at the time of soldering otherwise the solder won't flow. Take paper towels and stick them into the open pipe ends and absorb any water in the pipe.
3. Clean inside the two copper fittings of the shut-off valve with a wire fitting brush. Use emory paper to clean the copper on the outside of the water pipe ends. Brush paste flux on to the outside of the cut ends of the copper water pipe and inside the two copper fittings of the shut-off valve. Stick the copper tubing ends into the shut-off valve.
4. Turn the handle of the shut-off valve so the valve is open. This means the handle will be parallel with the copper pipe. This will protect the rubber seal on the inside of the valve from getting damaged by the heat of the torch. Turn the torch on and start heating the first solder joint. Touch the wire solder to the heated joint. When it melts and flows all the way around the joint, move on to the second solder joint.
Tags: water line, copper tubing, shut-off valve, water pipe, copper fittings
