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Pipes 101 Learn about different types of pipe and their uses. From "Ed the Plumber" episode DETP-313

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Copper Pipe

• Copper pipe comes in different sizes but for most home plumbing use, you'll use 1/2 inch diameter pipe. The main tubing comes in lengths of about 10 feet. Sometime you can find it in shorter lengths, but the cost per foot will be much higher.

• The first step in joining pipe together is to measure and cut the long lengths of pipe.

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	Figure C
	Figure D

Tip: Measuring the pipe correctly is important to ensure that you'll have enough pipe inside the fitting to make a good connection—touching the fitting shoulder (figure C). If you have to pull the joint to make the pipe fit, it will stress the joint, increasing the risk of failure.

• Mark the pipe, and then cut the pipe using a pipe cutter. It's crucial that the cut is square; therefore, don't use a hacksaw for cutting copper pipe.

  Safety Note: Wear safety glasses and gloves when cutting pipe.

• Using a pipe cutter is simple. Adjust the wheels so that the blades push into the pipe, but be careful not to over tighten or you could pinch the pipe—bending it out of round. Turn the cutter around the pipe (figure D), tightening it slightly after every two or three turns. The pipe will eventually come off. The edges of the pipe will be sharp, so be careful.

• When it comes to joining copper pipe, like anything else, metal oxidizes. The metal reacts with the air and deteriorates over a long period of time. This makes it difficult when soldering because it won't adhere as well.

• In this case, clean the pipe before soldering. Use a piece of emory cloth or a wire brush that fits around the entire pipe. Scrub the pipe past the area where the fitting will be placed, and then slide the brush tool onto the pipe and rotate several times. The area should be shiny when finished.

• You'll also want to clean the insides of the fitting, and then coat it with flux using a brush designed for this purpose. Flux cleans the area and etches the surface so that solder will adhere better.

  Safety Note: Flux is an acid, so always wear gloves.

• Soldering or sweating a joint is the next step.

  Note: Make sure all of your safety gear is in place, such as a fire extinguisher, soldering pad, and safety glasses. If you're working inside of a wall, you may want to use a mister to wet the area around the torch.

• Using lead free solder, you'll need a really hot flame, especially with 3/4 inch or larger pipe. Mapp gas would work great in this situation. It's a combination of acetylene and propane which burns consistently hot. You can purchase these cylinders at your local home center.

• Light the torch by opening the gas, and then pressing the igniter button. Adjust the flame so that the blue flame is maximized.

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