First time soldering, do these joints look OK?

[Sharpey]

Hello all.

I just attempted extending some tap tails with Yorkshire fittings. I watched some videos which stated to just wait until the solder starts to flow out of the joint. I am paranoid I've bodged it so I thought I'd ask the pros for some reassurance and/or mockery.

thumbnail_PXL_20250106_180232130.MP.jpg

• Sharpey
• 6 Jan 2025

thumbnail_PXL_20250106_164812736.MP~2.jpg

• Sharpey
• 6 Jan 2025

https://imgur.com/rVbxxdx

Soldered pipe 2

• Sharpey
• 6 Jan 2025

https://imgur.com/TNGVytZ

Soldered pipe 1

• Sharpey
• 6 Jan 2025

There's a small gap between the pipe and fitting, is that anything to worry about? They seem to be sturdy enough.

Thanks for any help.

 

[blup]

I bought a pressure tester and capped off one end of a series of copper pipe I had soldered. Then left it 24 hours at 10 x atmospheric pressure. Solder can run round the inside of the pipe and still appear to leave a gap and vice versa.

 

[Rodders53]

Those joints look pretty darned good to me as a DIY-installer of three complete central heating systems in my homes in the distant past and occasional plumbing work on homes ever since.

 

[Madrab]

Looks fine

As long as you can see a complete ring around the fitting then they should be fine. Always best to test the system if you can until you gain confidence in your work. If anything I'd suggest is watch the amount of heat being used, soldering, especially 10/15mm doesn't need the torch to be blasting away. I was always taught to not just heat the fitting too, heat the pipe away from the fitting until the flux starts to melt then move to the fitting.

Some suggest flux inside the fitting too, I don't, it can push flux inside the fitting and then draw the solder inside narrowing the fitting, and wipe the excess flux from the join before heating

Don't forget to always clean the area afterwards, nice clean damp cloth while it's still hottish. Then a quick clean up with a green scourer/scotchbrite.

 

[Koolpc]

Looks great to me.

 

[Sharpey]

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement fellas. This whole DIY attempt has turned into a right faff but I've got so much money and time in it that I'm determined to see it through. I'll definitely bite the bullet next time though on a plumber.

 

[Rodders53]

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement fellas. This whole DIY attempt has turned into a right faff but I've got so much money and time in it that I'm determined to see it through. I'll definitely bite the bullet next time though on a plumber.

Nah! The satisfaction of doing it yourself, and well, is priceless!

Plus finding a good plumber is not always that easy and you may have to wait for availability of such tradespersons.

I've now got to an age where I physically can't do what I used to, though.