soldering copper pipe

[pudgybear]

i am putting in a couple of new valves on my pipes behind my shower stall and i am close to the stall wall and really close to other plastic stuff, my question is other than a piece of sheet metal between the pipes and plastic stuff what can i do to prevent the heat to the wrong place, i considered going from copper to plastic but i still have to install the valves, would a wet towel placed over the sheet metal be of any help???????

 

[MP&C]

I normally use some galvanized sheet metal, easy to cut and shape to fit around objects.. A pair of vise grips lightly clamped on the pipe make a good heat stop, wrap your damp towel around it and it's even more effective.

 

[csp]

You can get a heat resistant shield cloth at the hardware store/big box store in the plumbing department just for situations like this.

 

[Beemer533]

Here you go...

i use these Oatey heat proof cloths with a MAPP gas torch and they work well..

 

[PelicanPines]

You can get a heat resistant shield cloth at the hardware store/big box store in the plumbing department just for situations like this.

I got two of these at HD years ago... they have served me well in tight places. I also use a torch with a handle and hose connected to the tank. This allows me to get "angles" that would be difficult with a normal tank nozzle combo.

 

[Caddybago]

Use Shark Bite fittings and you don't have to solder again.

They are the greatest things since pockets on a shirt.

Caddybago

 

[rlitman]

Use Shark Bite fittings and you don't have to solder again.

They are the greatest things since pockets on a shirt.

Caddybago

OMG don't use shark bit fittings inside a wall, and especially don't use them behind a shower stall, on pipes that are subjected to any movement.

That black heat resistant cloth is the real deal. A great thing to have.
If not, you can use a cement shingle (the old asbestos ones were good too).

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've never had any problems with using just a piece of sheet metal for a heat shield. Just be careful.

Depending on the style valve you're using you may want to take them apart before soldering so you don't damage the seats or gaskets inside.

 

[pudgybear]

T H A N K S guys - great ideas, never thought about the shingle idea - and i am going tonight after work to pick up a cloth shield! thanks again, as always somebody(s) always has a great idea. thanks again BOB

 

[rlitman]

I'm not saying that a piece of sheet metal is a bad idea, but:
If you use aluminum flashing, it's plenty easy to melt through it when the torch hits it.
If you use steel, the metal will be hot when you touch it (all the way to the edges), and it can easily transmit heat to whatever it is touching (a glowing spot can ignite combustible material behind it).

The shingle doesn't burn, doesn't transmit much heat, and stays cool at the edges. But it's not flexible, which makes it much less useful. It can also spall a bit with enough heat on it (not much of an issue, IF you're wearing safety glasses).

The cloth can be stuffed into the space behind a pipe in all sorts of places, and takes heat very well. You can put it in your palm, and heat the other side until it glows. And the grommets make it easy to hang on a nail where you need it. I'm a cheapskate, and used scraps of shingles for a long time (still have a few around for this use), but the black cloth they sell nowadays is a game changer. Years ago, the cloth had to be wet, or it would burn. Even fiberglass cloths can only take so much heat. This stuff is not invincible, but it's still pretty amazing in what it can withstand.

 

[James_B]

I also use a piece of the Oatey black felt like material. Never had any problems.

 

[G_P]

I also use a piece of the Oatey black felt like material. Never had any problems.

Same here. Love those heat proof cloths.