Finch85
Member
I had to redo this particular fitting 4 times. A couple months back, my soldering went well especially given the fact it was my first time. Not so lucky this time. Here goes.
I was having trouble with a 1/2" x 1/2" female adapter (copper to pex). It doesn't leak now but the joint still looks iffy.. A small section of the fitting directly facing me doesn't appear to take solder. The copper pipe was cleaned and fluxed. The fitting was cleaned and fluxed. When it would leak, I'd have to de-solder to remove. Upon inspecting the 3 fittings that didn't take, I could see a section inside the fitting that didn't take any solder. You can also tell this on the front of the fitting too. The last one I just did looks the same in the front (no solder) but I have no leaks so I guess it took inside.
I don't know what to do. I even bought a new brush to clean inside the fitting better but my other one was pretty much new. Should I redo this fitting even though there are no leaks? I'm thinking yes but sometimes I don't leave well enough alone. Maybe its my technique...I heat the joint until it begins smoking, then I reach around the backside to solder first and then I bring it around to the front.
I was having trouble with a 1/2" x 1/2" female adapter (copper to pex). It doesn't leak now but the joint still looks iffy.. A small section of the fitting directly facing me doesn't appear to take solder. The copper pipe was cleaned and fluxed. The fitting was cleaned and fluxed. When it would leak, I'd have to de-solder to remove. Upon inspecting the 3 fittings that didn't take, I could see a section inside the fitting that didn't take any solder. You can also tell this on the front of the fitting too. The last one I just did looks the same in the front (no solder) but I have no leaks so I guess it took inside.
I don't know what to do. I even bought a new brush to clean inside the fitting better but my other one was pretty much new. Should I redo this fitting even though there are no leaks? I'm thinking yes but sometimes I don't leave well enough alone. Maybe its my technique...I heat the joint until it begins smoking, then I reach around the backside to solder first and then I bring it around to the front.