horizontal soldering a ball valve

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horizontal soldering a ball valve
Author: HappyFarmer (NY) I have to replace a ball valve between HW tank and Air Handler in a HORIZINTAL position. Soldering Vertical is no problem. Soldering horizontaly makes me nervous. Any tips to ensure a solid seal with this instillation ? Thanks Guys! HappyFarmer
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Re: horizontal soldering a ball valve
Author: North Carolina Plumber (NC) Clean, flux, heat. If you can solder vertical, then horizontal shouldn't be a problem. Apply the solder on the opposite side from your flame.
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Re: horizontal soldering a ball valve
Author: HappyFarmer (NY) Thanks for the post! I was just worried that the solder wouldn't travel to the base, since it would have to travel horizontally.
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Re: horizontal soldering a ball valve
Author: North Carolina Plumber (NC) Capillary action will cause the solder to flow through out the joint.
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Re: horizontal soldering a ball valve
Author: HappyFarmer (NY) Thanks for the reply
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Re: horizontal soldering a ball valve

Author: srloren (CA)

Happy Farmer is right but only if the joint is fluxed and heated properly. Be careful not to over heat the valve. You do this by heating the tubeing first, then move to the valve, then back to the tubing and back to the valve being careful to apply solder to the joint while keeping the joint hot enough to melt the solder and suck it into the cup of the joint. Move all around the joint bottom to top on both sides of your horizontal joint. You do know that you cannot solder a joint that has water inside the pipe so you need to be dry before you begin to solder. Control the heat and Good luck.

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All good reminders. Much appriciated
Author: HappyFarmer (NY) All good reminders. Much appriciated. Edited 1 times.
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