Soldering Safety: 5 Tips To Sweat A Pipe Without Harming Yourself!
Soldering a copper pipe is downright dangerous if you don’t follow our 5 soldering safety tips. The solder and propane torch are both hot enough to instantly burn flesh. So, here’s a fast, easy primer on how to do it safely.
How to Practice Soldering Safety
Running a new copper line requires negotiating turns and working in tight places. You might find yourself having to solder fittings inside access panels and between floor joists. Inspect each area before you begin.
Look for potential fire hazards and place a heat shield (or protective barrier) between the joint you’re soldering and any flammable materials (like insulation or wood). You can purchase a flame-proof barrier at your local hardware store or plumbing supply center. These heat shields are constructed of flame-retardant materials.
Some manufacturers put grommets in the corners to allow you to hang or nail the barrier in place. This is helpful in freeing your hands. Or you can play it old-school and use an old cookie sheet.
You should also make sure you have a fire extinguisher nearby.
How to Use a Propane Torch Safely
You can’t enjoy soldering safety if you don’t know how to safely use a propane torch.
A propane torch produces carbon monoxide, which is odorless, colorless, and toxic in a confined space. So, it’s important to open a window and position a small fan to remove fumes from your work area.
Read the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the propane torch. Pay special attention to the cylinder seals and torch nozzles. If you see any damage (or wear and tear), return the torch to the store and exchange it for a new one.
To ignite the torch, open the valve and strike a spark in front of the torch tip with a spark lighter or activate the torch’s built-in lighter. Adjust the valve so the blue flame is 1 to 2 inches long. Always close the torch valve when you are finished using it. Hand-tighten the valve but be careful not to overtighten it.
5 Critical Soldering Safety Tips
Use the following 5 rules for safe soldering and you’ll walk away from the job satisfied and healthy.
- Wear eye protection. Purchase a face shield or safety glasses before you begin. Eyes can become irritated when exposed to the smoke. Avoid wearing contact lenses because the fumes can get under the lenses and cause severe irritation.
- Avoid breathing smoke and fumes. While soldering, use a small fan to remove the fumes. Inhaling flux fumes during soldering can cause irritation and damage your mucous membranes and respiratory system.
- Wear an approved respirator in tight quarters. Do this if you have to work in small, tight space without good ventilation. Otherwise, you’ll risk irritation and damage as noted in #2 above.
- Cover up. Cover your legs and arms (long sleeves and pants only) to avoid burns from splashed hot solder.
- Wash up. After handling flux and solder, wash your hands thoroughly. And please, use only lead-free solder to avoid lead leaching into your water supply.
Final Thoughts
In a previous article, we showed you how to sweat (or solder) a pipe the right way. In this article, our “soldering safety” tips tell you how to do it safely.
The last thing you want from a DIY project is to burn yourself or burn down your house. It’s happened before, so take these soldering safety procedures seriously and you can walk away from a job with a smile on your face.
Related Resources
- Sweating a pipe: step-by-step guide
- How to find pipes behind walls
- What do you know about pipe fittings?
- How to patch a leaky pipe with a bicycle tube
- Cutting galvanized steel pipe
- 5 main types of plumbing pipes
- Copper vs PEX pipe
- How to use compression fittings on copper pipes
- How to install a new threaded steel pipe
- Everything you need to know about lead pipes
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with any soldering safety tips and procedures.
1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
