How to Solder a Hose Bib to a Pipe

by DoItYourself Staff

what you'll need

Pipe cutter
Sandpaper or emery cloth
Propane (or similar) fueled torch
Acid flux paste (lead free and water soluble). This is safe for drinking water supply lines, plus meets plumbing code ASTM B-813 standards for flux used in potable water systems.
Small artist's paint brush
Lead free solder
Flame Protector material
Fire extinguisher or bucket for safety precautions

There are many different reasons why you may want to solder a hose bib to a pipe. You may be looking to create a permanent connection between the hose bib and the pipe, or you may be looking to create something that has a lot of strength for different uses. When you solder the hose bib to the pipe, you will create a permanent seal between the two components.

Step 1: Check Hose Bib Size

Make sure that your hose bib is the correct size for the pipe. On average, most copper pipe (in a residential home) is half an inch to three quarters of an inch, with some one inch pipe.

Step 2: Cut the Pipe

Using the pipe cutter cut the pipe to the proper length, allowing for some of the length that will be inside the hose bib.

Step 3: Drain and Clean the Pipe

If the pipe has water in it, you must try and drain it or blow it out. Water will conduct the heat away from the joint you're trying to solder, and a poor solder joint will be the result. Take the sandpaper or emery cloth and clean the outside of the pipe where the bib will slide on. The idea is to clean away the oxidation, which won't take much effort and results in a shiny copper finish.

Step 4: Clean the Hose Bib

Clean the inside of the hose bib in the same fashion until shiny. Apply the paste flux to the inside of the hose bib and outside of the copper pipe.

Step 5: Assemble the Hose Bib and Pipe

Assemble the hose bib to the pipe, placing it in the desired finished position. Ignite the torch and heat the joint evenly. Remember to protect any combustible material if needed. After the flux begins to bubble, apply the solder to the joint. Don't heat the solder with the flame of the torch; rather it should melt on its own accord when you touch it to the joint. A good method is to apply the solder on the opposite side of the flame that's heating the joint. Solder is drawn into the joint by capillary action, flowing to the hottest part of the joint. A bead of solder will form around the joint when it's filled. When the bead appears, you know the joint is complete. One inch of solder more or less is usually enough to solder the joint completely.