Step 8 · Apply the Solder

This is the step most people slow down on. Take it one move at a time — there’s no rush, and you can rewind the clip as many times as you need.

Once the joint is at the correct temperature, remove the flame. Immediately touch the tip of the lead-free solder to the seam where the pipe enters the fitting. Do not apply the flame directly to the solder. The heat of the pipe and fitting should melt the solder, which will be drawn into the joint by capillary action. Apply solder around the entire joint until you see a continuous, shiny silver ring form. For a 1/2-inch pipe, you will typically use about 1/2 inch of solder. Once the solder has flowed all the way around, remove the solder wire.