Soldering / "unsoldering" question ...

[acideraser]

I am trying to fix a leaking soldered 15mm pipe joint, hot water supply.
I am pretty sure I won't be able to remove any water from the pipe so was going to replace joint with speedfit.

Do I need to apply heat to remove the old soldered joint or it will give in if I just twist the top part of the pipe?

Would it be ok to use speedfit connector on the remaining pipe after cleaning with metal wire or do I need to cut it clean? I don;t think I will have enough of pipe remaining for speedfit to work if I cut?

Thanks.
acideraser

 

[cross thread]

If you don’t remove the water it wont unsolder

 

[ChrisJP]

I would cut the pipe at a little distance away from each side of the existing elbow and then fit new lengths of pipe connected to the existing vertical and horizontal pipes with inline compression fittings, with a new compression elbow to join them

 

[Madrab]

If the fitting is to be removed then drill a hole right at the elbow and allow it to drain, are you sure you can't drain it though, what's below the level of that pipe? Nothing/no fitting that you can get to?

 

[Madrab]

In fact if you have a tool to do the job ( multi/dremel/1mm angle grind/hacksaw/etc) then just cut the fitting right at the bend of the elbow, that'll allow it both ends to be drained easily and then just heat either end and twist off. You will need to really clean each end (hot end then wet cloth with flux on it) and then some 120grit to clean each end back to copper to ensure it's good for a push fit fitting.

 

[acideraser]

Thanks, I got the idea... below it goes into screed, on top it goes into tap isolation valve.
In theory I can cut the back of the cabinet, cut the pipe below 2nd elbow and replace both with compression fitting / pipe assembly.

Won't have a clean look, but should do the trick!

 

[acideraser]

I've got multicutter but usually use pipe cutter tool which makes cleaner cut ...

 

[acideraser]

sorry just one more lame question - would it better to use plastic push fit elbow or brass compression fitting with olives?
Which one is more leak-proof?

 

[Lower]

Brass with olives all day long.

 

[aveatry]

I don't trust them plastic things.

 

[ChrisJP]

I agree - brass compression fittings are far superior to the push fit plastic fittings.