Resoldering a leaking soldered joint ??

[Heatslave]

Hi,

Hope someone can help me with this one please ??

Competent DIY'er here, who's soldered dozens and dozens of copper fittings without any issue.

I've just cut out a section of vertical 15mm copper pipe that had a pin prick leak for months and had to use a solder ring slip coupling to put the new section in. I soldered the joints (not very well) and the bottom of the slip coupling joint leaked . I can only think it's because it was so difficult to get the flux into a slip coupling . I've resoldered it while it was still in place and the leak has stopped, but not being a pro, I'm not confident with the longevity of the joint ??

If a soldered joint is now watertight, will it stay watertight, or do you think I should get someone in to do the job properly ??

Cheers,
Graeme.

 

[Bod ...]

All tou can do is keep an eye on it.

I'm sure it will be fine.

 

[Heatslave]

All tou can do is keep an eye on it.

I'm sure it will be fine.

Cheers…..am keeping an eye on it for now, but not convinced

The joint gave a bit of a pop and a fizzle (for want of a better word) as I was initially soldering it, and that’s where the leak was…..is there a usual cause for that ?? It’s not something I’ve ever noticed before

 

[polesapart]

pop and a fizzle

Usually a trace of nearby residual water in the pipe .

If the joint holds leak-free for some hours it's unlikely to leak later.

 

[Heatslave]

Well….its held for 24 hours, so I’ll leave it be, but definitely not my best work

Thanks for the replies and advice

 

[lostinthelight]

You can get popping from around a joint if hot air pressure cannot escape elsewhere

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Well….its held for 24 hours, so I’ll leave it be, but definitely not my best work

Thanks for the replies and advice

Wrap some toilet tissue around the pipe, tied in a loose knot below your joint. The tissue will soak any leakage up and act as a witness.

 

[Heatslave]

Wrap some toilet tissue around the pipe, tied in a loose knot below your joint. The tissue will soak any leakage up and act as a witness.

I’ve got a drip try under the copper now, so I can at least see if there’s a leak in the future.

The foam insulation round the pipe was hiding / soaking up the leak, even though there was a slight discolouration on the garage concrete I didn’t realise there was a leak until I cleared some stuff away from round there and had a good look. The block work was soaking. I left a drip tray underneath and collected 1.4 litres of water over 24hrs. And it’s been like this for months, probably over a year . To say I was gutted is an understatement !!

So it comes down to the tradesman who fitted the boiler and the copper pipe work to it either causing the leak with how he’s bent the pipe (looks a brutal bend, and the leak was on the bend), or I’ve just been unlucky with a pin prick leak in the copper . It would be the first ever pin prick leak I’ve seen in 20 odd years .

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I’ve got a drip try under the copper now, so I can at least see if there’s a leak in the future.

Bog roll is more sensitive to moisture, I find. It can just evaporate unseen, from a drip tray.