How To Use Tips and Tools for Copper Plumbing

Copper is ideal for plumbing and tubing in sinks of new homes and remodeling projects. Not only does it exceed the building code standard in all 50 states, but it is also the only residential material for water-piping that has a 50-year manufacturer’s warranty. It is good for both hot and cold water supply lines, since it can withstand extreme temperature without breaking, bursting or melting. It is corrosion resistant and does not become brittle. This makes copper a more expensive material for plumbing and fitting than PVC (polyvinyl chloride), ABS (acrylonitrite-butadiene-styrene), PEX, cast iron and galvanized steel. Not only that, contaminants cannot easily penetrate copper. Its biostatic surface restrains the development of harmful bacteria. Copper is also used in automatic fire and sprinkler systems since it doesn’t produce poisonous fumes when exposed to fire.  
 
Below are tips on copper plumbing with their corresponding tools, just in case you want to repair your sink by yourself. However, you must be quite familiar with plumbing itself before getting down on your knees.

1. In connecting joints and tees, use flux on both surfaces of the copper to remove oxidized metals during soldering.
2. In sweating a copper joint, it is recommended that you use almost lead-free solder if not lead-free. You may also use modified anaerobic acrylic polymer, which has the same strength as a regular solder. Moreover, this acrylic polymer is best for soldering in small and tight locations where flames from a soldering torch are dangerous. Acrylic polymer can be used even on not-so dry spaces, unlike a regular solder, which requires the surface to be completely dry before soldering.
3. To fix a leak, sometimes you have to cut the copper pipe. After draining the water, use a pipe cutter. Just tighten the pipe cutter on the part where you want to cut the pipe. Make a groove around the pipe by rotating the cutter and tightening the blade a little after each rotation. Keep doing this until the pipe is cut straight. However, don’t tighten it too much, or you might bend the pipe out of shape.
4. After cutting the pipe, you must remove the burrs. In removing burrs inside a copper pipe, use a round file or a burr removal tool to prevent the water from swirling inside and creating noise in the pipe once in operation.  
5. If you want to connect or join copper pipes or connect them to a fixture but you are not allowed to use solder, then you can use compression fittings. A compression fitting is composed of the following: compression nut, compression ring and the compression seat. Another way to connect pipes without soldering is by using flare fittings. Compared to compression fitting, flare fitting doesn’t have a compression ring but still suits its purpose.

In case you are remodeling, you can purchase supplies including metal finishing with copper, brass, chrome, nickel, black nickel, gold, and clear lacquer on lamp metals, lighting, door hardware, plumbing etc. in hardware stores over the Internet.