The connection of polymer water pipes into a single highway is carried out in two ways: by means of connecting elements (fittings) or by soldering. The latter option is more economical - no need to buy additional parts. But it requires a special tool. If you know the intricacies of welding, it is realistic to solder plastic pipes for home water supply correctly with your own hands, without the involvement of specialists. It will also save your family budget.
Work Tools
To connect plastic and propylene elements, the method of thermal diffusion is used - fusion when heated with a special soldering iron. It differs from a simple soldering tool in that it uses not copper electrodes, but steel nozzles. They are fixed in the holes on the heating element of the soldering iron. Temperature control is carried out using a thermostat located on the body.
To work with pipe elements made of polyethylene or polypropylene, you will additionally need:
- measuring instruments - tape measure, ruler, square, level;
- specialized scissors or pipe cutter;
- degreasing fluid.
In addition, it is worthwhile to prepare fine-grained sandpaper or a thin file. They will help make the slices perfectly smooth.
Security measures
When working with a soldering iron, you need to follow safety precautions. Failure to do so will adversely affect the quality of adhesions and can cause injuries and burns.
Follow these guidelines:
- Place the hot soldering iron only on the stand.
- Use gloves to protect hands from burns.
- Work is carried out in a well-ventilated area, because polymer materials emit harmful substances when heated.
The nozzles have a Teflon coating, which avoids the appearance of carbon deposits. At the end of each welding process, the remaining polymer must be removed with a wooden spatula. Cleaning of cooled nozzles is not allowed, as this can lead to damage to the coating and damage to the soldering iron.
Features of soldering water pipes
Before you begin, you need to choose the right technology. For connection, three soldering methods are used:
- Muftovy. In this case, couplings are inserted between the abutted parts. The peculiarity of the process is that only the connection elements themselves are heated. Typically, the method is used for pipes with a small and medium cross-section.
- Bell-shaped. Used nozzles of various diameters. The ends of the parts are cut at an angle of 90 degrees and are cleaned, and then inserted into the nozzle of the corresponding section. During the soldering, the ends of the two elements heat up, melt and join. After joining, the parts cannot be turned.
- Butt. At the same time, the ends of two segments are boiled over the entire plane. It is used to connect large pipes - with a diameter of more than 5 cm and a wall thickness of 0.4 cm.
If it is necessary to solder the reinforced pipes, you will need a special tool - a shaver. It is needed to clean the pipe from aluminum, which is hidden under the top polymer coating. Next, the welding of pipes is carried out according to the standard method.
Sometimes threaded parts are required in the pipeline section. Such a fitting can be soldered to the junction of a suitable pipe. Soldering pipes should only be carried out at a positive ambient temperature.
Welding sequence
First you need to prepare the pipes themselves.They are divided into segments of the required size, align and grind the ends, wipe the joints with a degreasing liquid.
The soldering iron is installed on a flat surface, attach nozzles with polymer parts: one or more. Standard devices allow you to set nozzles for two pipes and two couplings at the same time, which speeds up the assembly process of the structure.
Using a temperature regulator, select the desired heating, given the difference in this indicator for polymers. You can specify which specific pipes you solder by marking on the product itself. For polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride pipes (PP and PVC), heating is carried out up to 260 degrees, for polyethylene (HDPE) - up to 220 degrees. The heated elements are connected to each other by inserting the pipe into the socket, the coupling or by joining the ends of the segments.
The duration of melting after bringing to the required temperature is determined depending on the cross section:
| Product Diameter (mm) | Time to warm to the required temperature (sec) | Soldering period (sec) | Cooling time (min) |
| 16 | 5 | 8 | 2 |
| 20 | 6 | 9 | 2 |
| 25 | 7 | 10 | 3 |
| 32 | 8 | 12 | 4 |
| 40 | 12 | 20 | 5 |
| 63 | 24 | 25 | 6 |
| 90 | 40 | 35 | 8 |
After the joint has cooled down, check the correctness of the work performed. The tightness of the soldered section is checked by blowing and passing water. If the joint seam is made poorly, the weld place is cut off, and welding work is carried out again.
Soldering in inaccessible places and corners
If necessary, pipes can be welded at an angle. For this, special angular couplings are used. Angle control the degree of bending. Buy products from one manufacturer, this will ensure high adhesion of the connected elements.
Welding in hard-to-reach spots for laypersons is difficult. When working under the ceiling, the soldering apparatus will have to hang on a hook. Sometimes it is necessary to replace a part in an existing water supply system: in case of damage through which water drips, or a strong blockage. The easiest way is to solder the threaded fittings in those places where it is convenient to do it, and already put a pipe section on them.
It is possible to solder a polypropylene pipe if water drips through a small crack using artisanal welding. The gap is closed by the material from which the pipe is made. A hot nail or screwdriver is applied to the defective place. The molten polymer is coated with a hole. But this is a temporary option, the damaged area will still need to be replaced.
For a short time, the polymer product can be sealed with an industrial hair dryer. The joint is heated until the material softens. A clamp is laid on the pipe and tightened tightly.
Possible mistakes
Frequent errors leading to the appearance of defective nodes during the assembly of the pipeline from polymers:
- work with uncleaned slices;
- roughness of the connecting parts;
- inaccurate alignment of the connected elements;
- too much force when docking;
- incomplete insertion of the pipe into the fitting;
- small or excessive heating of the welded parts;
- the presence of a reinforcing layer;
- changing the position of the elements after cooling the plastic;
- use of a soldering iron with nozzles contaminated with polymer;
- cleaning cooled nozzles and subsequent use of parts with a damaged Teflon layer.
Sometimes, on high-quality materials, severe overheating does not give visual external defects. But at the same time, there is internal deformation when the heated plastic blocks the internal passage. This leads to fast clogging and blocking the flow of water.
In addition to hot soldering, a cold welding method is also used. The technique involves the use of a special solvent as an active soldering component, which softens the structure of the polymer. Due to its complexity, the method has not gained much popularity.
