i have a problem with the pipe that travels up from my bathtub diverter to the shower head. there is a spot where the solder broke and is leaking whenever i turn the shower head on.
my question is: how tight should pipe fittings be when they are soldered together? i had a friend solder the pipe for me (who's experienced with this), but as soon as I tried to tighten the diverter back down, the solder cracked where he just applied it. is there a cure time for this? we only waited a few minutes, but it was cool to the touch.
he seems to think that the fitting is too loose on the pipe...that there is too much "play," but the fitting seems to have worked before (i just bought the house and am just replacing the diverter). how much "play" is normal? how tight should the fittings fit together? should you be able to rotate the pipe once it's fit together? (we can rotate it pretty easily and also it rocks from side to side a little).
i really appreciate any help/tips that anyone can give me for this. thanks.
christian
my question is: how tight should pipe fittings be when they are soldered together? i had a friend solder the pipe for me (who's experienced with this), but as soon as I tried to tighten the diverter back down, the solder cracked where he just applied it. is there a cure time for this? we only waited a few minutes, but it was cool to the touch.
he seems to think that the fitting is too loose on the pipe...that there is too much "play," but the fitting seems to have worked before (i just bought the house and am just replacing the diverter). how much "play" is normal? how tight should the fittings fit together? should you be able to rotate the pipe once it's fit together? (we can rotate it pretty easily and also it rocks from side to side a little).
i really appreciate any help/tips that anyone can give me for this. thanks.
christian