Certain plumbing requirements may ask you to join an iron pipe to a copper pipe
. Some homeowners don't accept the fact easily that the one kind of pipes can be connected to another kind of pipes in the same plumbing architecture. However, such modification can be achieved easily with the help of specialized plumbing components. Though the job of joining an iron pipe to a copper pipe is similar to the installation of copper fittings, it requires certain additional components as well.
You need to purchase a dielectric union plumbing component to accomplish the job with ease.
It is a moderate-sized plumbing component that nullifies the structural differences while connecting two pipes of different kinds. The dielectric union acts as an insulation barrier between the participating ends of the two pipes. The good thing about the dielectric union component is that it can be purchased at affordable price. Also, the installation of a dielectric union can be handled by even a novice of the trade.
Start brazing the ends of the two pipes before soldering them to the dielectric union component. Use a fitting brush to serve the required purpose. Do not over-braze the inner and the outer surfaces of the pipes, and confine the application to the section of the pipe that would participate in the junction.
Once the inner and outer surface of the copper pipe is brazed well with the fitting brush, bring in the flux solution. The flux solution is applied on the brazed potion of the pipe to enhance the efficiency of the soldering operation. The flux increases the strength of the binding that would occur between the copper pipe and the iron pipe.
Initiate the actual task of installing the dielectric union component in between the two pipes. To do so, unscrew the dielectric union such that it dissociates into two equal halves. While one half of the union is installed on the iron pipe, the other part deals with the copper pipe segment. Install the copper-half first by sliding the segment on the pipe length.
Use the solder and the heating torch to rigidify the setup. Repeat the same process with the other half of the dielectric union as well. Screw both the parts of the dielectric union together to finish off the task.
Ask a local roofer to guide you with proper handling of heating torch and solder.