15mm copper pipe not fully mated to fitting

[StewartP]

Hi All, Really useful tips on these forums so great place to find stuff out. I am a DIY dabbler so need a little advise please.

My question is I have been using 15mm solder rings to fabricate a central heating run. I think my last joint was not mated fully into the elbow joint. I was joining the other end and it melted the solder to the pipe. I now know I should have wrapped it with a wet rag or just been more careful.

From my measurements it is about half way in so maybe 7mm short. The joint is good as far as I can see but will the pipe not being fully inserted into the elbow cause a problem?

I will have to re-do the whole lot otherwise I guess.

I have not connected it up to the central heating yet.

Thanks in advance, Stewart

[dewaltdisney]

I think even though it is a pain, it will be ten times worse fixing it if it weeps after it is all connected. I am sure you know that a bit of time now will save you a lot of grief in the future if it goes bad. Cut it out an replace the defective joint now. Good luck

DWD

[StewartP]

Thanks DWD. I was kind of thinking that would be the best approach but was hoping I could get away with it. At least I will get more practice and be a bit more careful in future.

[dewaltdisney]

Yes, I have been there and done that. I find that if you take a chance you get punished for it

DWD

[Dave54]

Yes, I have been there and done that. I find that if you take a chance you get punished for it

DWD

And you know it's there waiting to leak. I'm with DWD. It's less pain to do it properly while it's drained, and you have the kit there, than to have to do it later.

[Rorschach]

If there is plenty of solder in the joint it is unlikely to leak but for me it would depend on the circumstances. If I were burying or hiding the joint, I would absolutely re-do it. If the joint were going to be fairly easy to access and monitor I might just chance it as it wouldn't be any more work to repair it if it did leak then repair it now.

[wes56]

we throw all bad fittings no matter what and then use fresh cleaned and lightly fluxed new fittings. never re-use the bad fitting.
clean and wire wool and flux the pipe ends and use a small mirror to check the back of the soldered joint to see if its made. if you can see a rim of solder all round it should be made.

pencil mark the pipe for its insert length then you can be sure its in the fitting hub.

[chrrris]

For what it's worth, I'm with everyone else here. It's *probably* okay as it is, but a new yorkshire elbow is, what, 40p? A flooded house considerably more expensive! Definitely not worth the risk.

[StewartP]

Hi All, I took the consensus view which was to do it again. It took me half the time to re-fabricate the run with new joints (so I'm improving my skills) and I was glad I did for my peace of mind. No leaks when I tested so well chuffed with myself. Small victories eh!

Many thanks for all the replies and lots of good advice.

[dewaltdisney]

Thanks for letting us know Stewart, I am glad it turned out good in the end.

DWD