I am trying to remove an old piece of half inch copper pipe from a T-joint, in order to put in a new half inch copper pipe. I have been using the yellow MAP gas cylinder, but the joint is not getting hot enough to remove the old pipe. Are there any alternatives to getting a hotter flame (I have made sure there isno water in the pipe). I don;t understand why the old joint is not getting hot enough to remove the old pipe. Thanks for any tips.....
COMMUNITY FORUM
There are two reasons this can happen, one is there is steam in the line. Steam can be created by the water in the line away from the joint. Small drips of water will do the same thing. A yellow map gas bottle used with an old style propane tip won't increase the heat enough. Hopefully you purchased a turbo type torch to go with the map bottle.
I also often use a piece of white bread stuffed down into the pipe to stop the water flow. Water will flow towards the heat. So any small amount of water in the pipe will head to the flame and cool the pipe. A piece of bread (without the crust) will stop the water long enough to remove the old fitting.
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
I also often use a piece of white bread stuffed down into the pipe to stop the water flow. Water will flow towards the heat. So any small amount of water in the pipe will head to the flame and cool the pipe. A piece of bread (without the crust) will stop the water long enough to remove the old fitting.
Raymond VinZant Plumbing Prof.
