I have to replace a copper pipe on the side of my house that is used for my sprinkler system, the pipes seem too close to the house to use a cutter, can I just heat up the joints enough to remove them or do I need some kind of de-solder product?

Thanks!!!

BTW I know its ironic to ask home improvement questions on a car forum. :uhh:

Just heat it up and pull you should see the lead turn to liquid as soon as it is hot enough..

When you go back with the new one make sure to clean all the joits with sand paper and use flux when re-sweating.

i assume it is copper pipe with soldered joints? if so, you can (carefully) heat the joints and seperate.

Thanks for your help!!

FYI, it will not work if there is any water at all in the pipe - pipe must be dry or you'll be heating it forever.

remember to scrap the old ones

we pay up to $2.15 a lb. for #1 copper

Its only a 2' section of pipe and an elbow I'm removing. The water has been shut off to the pipe for a few days and its been in the 70's here, so I'm pretty sure its dry.

Thanks for everyones help!

What kind of torch are you planning to use? One of those little propane jobs probably won't be able to heat up a 1" copper pipe since it sinks the heat away too quickly.

What kind of torch are you planning to use? One of those little propane jobs probably won't be able to heat up a 1" copper pipe since it sinks the heat away too quickly.

Nah, I have a high temp torch, can't remember the gas it uses. Anyways I finished the job a few minutes ago. I'll let is cool naturally so it doesn't cool too quickly and become brittle.

The pipe was only 3/4".


Thanks!!!

Nah, I have a high temp torch, can't remember the gas it uses. Anyways I finished the job a few minutes ago. I'll let is cool naturally so it doesn't cool too quickly and become brittle.

The pipe was only 3/4".


Thanks!!!

By the way, love that Avatar, FormerA4'er! Can you post a larger version of it? Reminds me of the scene in "AIRPLANE!" where Jimmy Walker is "checking the oil" on the 707 that they fly in that movie while Peter Graves and Kareem Abdul Jabbar occupy the captain and first officer seats.

Price is up to 2.21 ;)

By the way, love that Avatar, FormerA4'er! Can you post a larger version of it? Reminds me of the scene in "AIRPLANE!" where Jimmy Walker is "checking the oil" on the 707 that they fly in that movie while Peter Graves and Kareem Abdul Jabbar occupy the captain and first officer seats.

That is one of the best movies of all time! The funny part is when I fly I actually have to check the oil with a dipstick like that during pre-flight. I also have to double check the fuel with a stick :Eyecrazy:

I'll see if I can find the orginal of my Avatar, I'll post it if I can find it.

I had to cut a run of copper pipe once and replace it. pipe was still wet and i had to get it fixed before nightfall. took a very long time to steam all that water out and get the pipes hot enough to melt the solder. make sure to sand well!

^^^ Here's a trick a plumber taught me. If there still a bit of water in the pipe, tear off a piece of bread and jam it upstream of the joint. The bread will absorb the water and swell, thus blocking the water. Then solder the joint. When the joint is done, use your torch to heat the pipe where the bread plug is. The heat will toast the bread and it will dissolve in the water and be flushed out.

I used this trick and it works perfectly. There may be some small crumbs in the water so let it flush out before use.