Solder & Flux: Avoid these common pitfalls when sweating a copper joint
Any good training program will have a repetitive component to it. Major league ballplayers, for example, still do the same pre-game infield and outfield drills prior to each and every game and who knows how many times during the day beforehand. Why? These are big-league ballplayers. Certainly they’re beyond forever fielding ground balls and, “getting two.” It’s actually the repetition that keeps them sharp. Watch a player that’s been out of the lineup, even for a couple of games, and you’ll see somebody who’s going to need a little time to get back in the groove.
It’s the same thing with plumbing. Everyone in the business who has spent any time as a tech has spent countless hours sweating copper joints. Here, from start to finish, are a few ways to ensure you get good results when sweating a pipe joint. (NOTE: We would hope it goes without saying to always use “lead-free” solders and fluxes when dealing with systems that carry potable water. Well, you’d think it would. But here we are saying it. So it goes.–Ed]