Plumbing push fir / soldered joint query

[Adam Comiskey]

Hi All,

I have used this forum as a reference point for a little while but only just joined as I have a query for those of you in the know!

I am a DIYer who is putting in a new bathroom from scratch - it is all going pretty well so far but you'll have to excuse me if I don't have all the correct terminology!

Anyway, my question is this..... I have lifted the floor in the bathroom as needed to move some pipes for a replacement radiator. I expected to find all copper pipes to the radiator (I have been soldering copper pipe with everything else I have done so far) but under floor level I find that the copper pipe that ran to the radiator actually connects with plastic pipe using push fittings under the floor. If I attempted to solder on the copper pipes in situ, obviously the whole copper pipe is going to get very hot - will this ruin the push fittings further back on the pipework or would soldering in situ be ok?

Hope that makes sense.... any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Adam

 

[nortonj]

How far is the soldered joint away from the plastic fitting?
you can get cooling gels which stops heat transfer further down the pipe.

 

[Terry lambert]

Or wet rag

 

[Adam Comiskey]

Not very far away at all unfortunately - probably only 5 inches or so......?

 

[nortonj]

If you use something to stop heat transfer down the pipe you will be fine just keep your blow torch flame very low.

 

[Jackrae]

You could of course first release the plastic fitting from the copper

 

[ScottishGasMan]

At 5 inch I would release the push fits (even renew them while your under there)

As said a wet rag over the end of the copper is usually fine but you will be pushing it at that distance to give yourself clearance to work.

If you have been soldering heating pipes then look up flux and system flushing after your done, don't want excess flux circulating round your heating system over winter