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Flux, Solder, Flashings and Lead Products
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"I can't seem to get my solder to stick to copper?"
You must first clean both the fitting and the pipe. No matter how clean and new the fittings and pipe
look, you must clean them (with sand cloth, mesh pad or brush designed for this). Then use a quality flux specifically designed for that solder. DON'T overheat. Most beginners
tend to overheat the fitting/joint. There is a small melting (liquid) range of the solder. Once it flows (the solder gets into its liquid state)
do not raise the temperature of the solder as you could raise it to a level where it will no longer be able to flow. Then you will probably assume
that since it won't flow, it must not be hot enough and you will continue to heat it. A common mistake for soldering beginners.
"Isn't lead dangerous?"
Using lead products for drinking water is against all U.S. codes and not advised.
Using lead for flashings is hard to beat as lead is the most durable flashing that we know of (although some areas
now do not want you to use it due to children playing with it as well as a small potential is there to contaminate our environment with too much lead).
You should wash your hands after using lead products and many recommend using gloves. Lead isn't like mercury
and it won't go into your body just by holding it but if a child nibbles on it or you place your hands in your mouth after touching a lead product you could ingest some lead.
We don't recommend using lead products for anything.
"Has lead been used a lot in water lines in the past?"
Yes. Even the word "plumber" is a derivative from the word lead.
We understand that Chicago required lead water service line until about 1987 (if true, so much for
code and local traditions rather than health concerns).
The State of California had one of the first strong anti lead campaigns. Now lead is not allowed in any water service anywhere in the U.S..
If you see a lead water pipe we highly recommend replacing it. If it isn't yours we recommend reporting that to your local health officials.
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