How to desolder a Facucet?

Question

I am currently replacing a faucet. It looked like that it was soldered on, do you know how to get the old faucet off? I have a blowtorch already.What do i do next?

Do you guys know how long it takes for the solder to melt off? If i choose the option of sawing the thing off, what do i use to saw the pipe off?

This is a type of the faucet that you would use for the outside hoses. It seems to be soldered on because the threads on the faucet are showing.

Answer 1

Don't unsolder, just cut the pipe right behind the joint. Replace the old faucet, with a 5/8" compression faucet. You just slide the new faucet on to the pipe, and tighten the nut. It's that easy! Good luck.

Answer 2

first thing is to turn off the water. and open the faucet. Let the water drain out. Then use the torch and heat the joint, keep tugging on it or trying to twist it once the water that was left inside burns out, the solder will soften and you can seperate the faucet from the line.

If you want to cut the pipe, you could go to a hardware store and buy a mini tubing cutter. You tighten it around the pipe and turn it around the pipe, tighten again and turn, thighten and turn. Finally, the pipe will cut through.

When you replace the faucet, be sure to use flux, and lead free solder. Apply the flux, after using sand paper to clean the surface of the pipe and the fitting. Start heating the pipe until the solder will melt around the pipe and suck in. take a rag and immediately wipe the joint and it will remove the excess solder. when heating the pipe or fitting, try to heat more in the middle of the joint, the solder will suck in to the hottest point , don't over heat the pipe.

Also , if you can, remove the rubber seal so you don't damage it with the heat when soldering and once it cools then you can replace the rubber seal. Good luck

Answer 3

the first thing you need to do is to turn off the water, then get a pair of tubing cutters and cut the copper pipe that is soldered into the faucet. pull the old faucet out and put the new one in. sand the copper until it is shiny put some flux on it and then put some flux on the inside of a coupling put the coupling on the pipe. measure from the end of the coupling to the end of the silcock, add 1" and cut that measurement, flux it put it into the coupling and the faucet, solder it and turn the water back on and check for leaks

Answer 4

if the solder isn't melting there is water in the pipe you are trying to melt the solder in. Are you sure the only way to remove the faucet is to melt the solder or cut a pipe? what kind of faucet is this? I would most likely cut the pipe to remove the faucet. a hacksaw will work. just let the pipe cool before you try to cut it.

Answer 5

shut the water off..put a bucket under the area your working in and torch the couplings until the solder heats up and u are able to twist the plumbing with a pair of vise scripts.
Turn on all the faucets in the house before u shut off the water...then there will be no pressure in the lines and u wont get soaked. good luck

Answer 6

I think the easiest way would be to cut the pipe instead of desoledring, u probably will need to connect the new faucet to the pipe with flex line (unless it is a shower or tub). U can get pressure fitted flex line or screw on, if it is screw on u will need to solder the fittings.
I also recommend that u place by pass valves on the lone if u don't have them.
Good luck

Answer 7

There's a tool called a soldering pump that isn't expensive and is very handy for any solder removal. It's commonly called a solder sucker.
With a desoldering pump (solder sucker)

Set the pump by pushing the spring-loaded plunger down until it locks.
Apply both the pump nozzle and the tip of your soldering iron to the joint.
Wait a second or two for the solder to melt.
Then press the button on the pump to release the plunger and suck the molten solder into the tool.
Repeat if necessary to remove as much solder as possible.
The pump will need emptying occasionally by unscrewing the nozzle.

Answer 8

Just heat it up while pulling it apart. Eventually the solder will melt and it'll slide right off.

Watch the flame around everything else, don't start your wall or cabinet on fire. If it is really close get a piece of drywall as a sacrificial barrier and your wall and or cabinet wont have a big black spot.

Oh and don't forget to turn off the water and relieve the pressure by opening that tap and preferable another one lower than that one, like in the basement.

Answer 9

i have one word for you sawall,hacksaw
anything that is made to cut meatle if you try to de soder something it will mess up the gaskets so just replace it and get a new one
so cut if off and get one you like