SH140
New Member
After sweating new shower plumbing, (all new pipe & fittings), during leak test I discovered one joint with a very small leak. Somehow I missed it when soldering the rest of the joints. I turned off the water, drained the system, and soldered the connection. It doesn't leak now, but because the flux was exposed to water before it was soldered, will it be a problem in the future?
Also, I had another joint that leaked. Naturally it was on the pipe that is behind everything else, is sweated to the mixing valve, and would be the biggest pain in the a** to replace. So I warmed it up a little, and added more flux, then heated up the connection and re-applied solder. Supprisingly this worked. Was this some lucky fluke, or does the previous solder re-flow when it gets hot and seal the leak?
As I stated earlier, to remove & replace these joints will be a major hassle, but if I don't, what are the odds of a leak in the future? Definitely don't need that !!
Will either of the 2 mentioned "do-overs" be OK to leave as-is?
If it's recommended to replace connections, any recommendations on how to cut pipe when there's no room for a tubing cutter? Even a mini size won't fit. I can't pull connectors apart either after heating up, as I tried that already.
Thanks !
P.S. I did clean, brush & de-burr everything before installation. Repair was done late Sunday afternoon, so far no leaks under normal water pressure.
Also, I had another joint that leaked. Naturally it was on the pipe that is behind everything else, is sweated to the mixing valve, and would be the biggest pain in the a** to replace. So I warmed it up a little, and added more flux, then heated up the connection and re-applied solder. Supprisingly this worked. Was this some lucky fluke, or does the previous solder re-flow when it gets hot and seal the leak?
As I stated earlier, to remove & replace these joints will be a major hassle, but if I don't, what are the odds of a leak in the future? Definitely don't need that !!
Will either of the 2 mentioned "do-overs" be OK to leave as-is?
If it's recommended to replace connections, any recommendations on how to cut pipe when there's no room for a tubing cutter? Even a mini size won't fit. I can't pull connectors apart either after heating up, as I tried that already.
Thanks !
P.S. I did clean, brush & de-burr everything before installation. Repair was done late Sunday afternoon, so far no leaks under normal water pressure.
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