How to Replace a Soldered Faucet

Copper, a material used for plumbing supply lines -- before the less-expensive PVC became common in new-home construction -- still exists in older homes today. The copper piping and applicable fittings connect to each other by melting tin solder to weld the joints together. Couplings, elbows and faucets were common types of fittings used with the copper pipe. Removing a soldered faucet requires heating the soldered joint with a torch to loosen it, or cutting off the old faucet where it connects to the supply pipe, provided there is enough pipe left to connect the new faucet.

Propane torch
Striker
Hacksaw
Sandpaper
Adjustable pliers
Flux
Solder

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the water supplying the faucet. Open the faucet to relieve any remaining pressure on the line.
- 2
  Light the propane torch, using a striker. A striker uses flint to create a spark that ignites the propane provided by the torch.
- 3
  Remove the old faucet by heating it where it connects to the supply pipe with the propane torch until the solder melts. Twist the old faucet back and forth with an adjustable pair of pliers to remove it from the pipe. Another method of removal is to cut off the old faucet with a hacksaw. It is important to verify that enough of the pipe remains to connect the new faucet before cutting it, though. You will need at least 1 inch of exposed pipe to connect the new faucet correctly.
- 4
  Sand the end of the pipe with a piece of sandpaper to remove any burrs created during cutting and to provide a clean surface during soldering.
- 5
  Apply flux to the end of the pipe. Flux is a paste that prevents oxidation during the soldering process, which would prohibit the bond from sealing correctly.
- 6
  Inspect the faucet to verify that it is free of debris where it connects to the pipe. Apply some flux in the faucet opening, the one that connects to the pipe, for good measure.
- 7
  Slip the new faucet over the stubbed-out supply pipe. Adjust the faucet by twisting it until it fully seats onto the pipe, about ½ inch, and is in the desired position.
- 8
  Heat the pipe, using the propane torch. During heating, the flux will boil out of the joint. This is normal during soldering applications.
- 9
  Touch the joint between the faucet and pipe with a piece of solder, while keeping it away from the torch flame. The object is to test the joint to see if it is hot enough to melt the solder. The soldering process works when the joint between the pipe and the fitting, in this case the faucet, becomes hot enough to suck in the solder, which creates the seal. Never use the flame to melt the solder, as the joint will not seal properly.
- 10
  Allow the connection to cool, then turn on the water supply to test it for any leaks. If a leak develops, repeat the soldering process.

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