How do you sweat a copper pipe?

To sweat a copper pipe, cut and clean the end of the pipe, then apply a soldering paste to the end, and seal the new fitting with a blow torch. You need a hacksaw, pipe cleaning tools, a flux brush, soldering materials, a blow torch and a rag.

1. Cut the end of the pipe

   Use a hacksaw to give the end of the pipe a clean, straight cut.

2. Clean the end of the pipe and fitting

   Use a wire pipe brush to clean the insides of the pipe and fitting. Use a wire brush to polish the outsides of the pipe and fitting.

3. Apply soldering paste

   Coat a flux brush with soldering paste, and apply the paste to the polished surface of the pipe as well as the inside of the fitting.

4. Slide the fitting on the pipe, and seal it with a blow torch

   Slide the fitting on the end of the pipe, and twist the fitting into the desired position. Ignite a blow torch, and run the flame along the middle of the fitting rather than the area with the soldering paste.

5. Solder the joint while the flame runs

   With the flame still running along the middle of the fitting, solder the joint where the end of the fitting meets the pipe.

6. Wipe away excess solder

   Turn off the blow torch, and wipe away excess solder with a clean rag.