Pinhole leak at solder joint
#1
10-24-22, 10:33 AM
Pinhole leak at solder joint
I have a small pinhole leak coming from the solder area of the union attached to my pressure reducing valve. Can I just heat up that area to remelt the solder and maybe add some around the edge or would that totally break the solder bond inside causing it to not seal well after cooling off. I really don't want to have to take the whole thing apart if I don't have to.
#2
10-24-22, 10:45 AM
Group Moderator
If it's a union.... you'd need to drain the water out of the fitting/pipe in order to get it hot enough for solder to melt. Opening the union would make the job easier too.
A pinhole usually means there was dirt when soldered. Reflowing may seal it.
A pinhole usually means there was dirt when soldered. Reflowing may seal it.
Norm201
voted this post useful.
#3
10-24-22, 10:55 AM
Ok so I wouldn't need to unsolder that piece, take it apart, clean it up and re solder it back together. I accidentally posted this twice when I added some pictures. So there is another post that shows what I am talking about.
#5
10-24-22, 11:25 AM
Group Moderator
I was in the process of moving your pics from that other thread.
I made them a little smaller and enhanced the second one.
Unfortunately that looks like dirt in that solder. A reflow will probably not be effective.
I made them a little smaller and enhanced the second one.
Unfortunately that looks like dirt in that solder. A reflow will probably not be effective.
#8
10-24-22, 02:14 PM
Member
A leak means the hole is contaminated with the water, you cant get flux into the joint or clean the copper for solder to stick to.
Try it but don't be surprised if it dosent work.
Try it but don't be surprised if it dosent work.
#9
10-24-22, 04:44 PM
Group Moderator
#11
10-28-22, 02:55 PM
Well I tried cleaning and putting flux around joint and that did not work at all like Marq1 said so I took it all apart cleaned it up real good and soldered it back together and no more leak. Thanks for your answers.
#12
10-28-22, 03:20 PM
Member
That is probably the reason so many fear soldered joints, attempting a solder joint that is not completely clear of contaminates. Once you get the basics you wonder what the concern was all about!!
#13
10-31-22, 08:36 AM
I actually had to take it all apart again because after about 4 hours it started leaking real bad and discovered a stress fracture which I assumed was just a scratch in the brass tail piece. Almost had to buy a whole new valve because I couldn’t find that part anywhere without waiting until Monday for a plumbing supply business 20 miles away to open. Water was off all Friday into Saturday when I happened to find a place open that had 1 left. Once I got the part everything was back together in about 15 minutes.
Norm201
voted this post useful.
