can you solder lead pipes with the same solder as used for copper pipes?(obviously not the lead free variety), I'm looking to solder over a small pinhole - any special techniques required as opposed to copper?
basic task of a plumber repair lead pipes,a pinhole could be repaired with a matchstick and plumbers metal or leaded solder use a moleskin wiping cloth and a little heat gently if not used to working with lead.
best practice would be to cut out all the lead and repipe.
It depends whether it's a water supply pipe, waste pipe or gas pipe.
SIze, location, all sorts.
It can be illegal, easy, perfectly reasonable or impossible. You'll find plenty of advice on this site, try a search.
If someone is a mechanic (journeyman) plumber they can quite easily lead wipe or even solder a hole or split in lead piping INCLUDING pressure piping.
Normally the alloy is stronger then the base metal
The key of course is to clean the area use a non acid type flux and use a solder alloy with a low tin content .
For drainage lead I like to use a 38% (tin)62 % (lead) content as the pasty range allows me to work the alloy a bit longer so it doesn't burn a hole in the lead Yet has a stronger tensile strength.
One can bridge large gaps in lead piping with bar solder and using a soldering copper as opposed to an open flame as many decent roofers can solder lead coated copper flashing without burning off the lead protection
Installing lead pipe (water supply) is illegal BUT repairing it is another story as after many years lead pipe has oxidized, this prevents the leaching of lead into the water supply NOW Plastic is another story as many are now found to be highly toxic which I did post in 1999 on the Australian web site "Master plumbers.com" articles by Sylvan Tieger.
Many people cannot afford to replace a water main so they opt for repairs if possible.
Actually the lead pipe is not the problem it is the wine that folks used in the lead goblets..
I do not understand how lead pipe even extra heavy could be used for gas service?
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