Flux left on pipe - under floorboard??

[marshr02]

Hi there. Just curious.....heavy DIY'er....just soldered to vertical coupling close to the floorboards (pipes coming vertically up from the void). Some flux - LA-CO - melted under the torch and ran down the pipe below the floorboards. Should I be worried?...keen to do a good job...and not create a problem in 10-20 years time!! Must say I'm a little confused between active/passive/acidic/non-acidic fluxes anyhow and how aggressive they are after the joint has been made....cheers for any info

 

[lame plumber]

laco will eat its way through in v long term like any flux if left on

 

[marshr02]

Obviously the answer is a matter of degree. Flux on a section of copper pipe is likely to pinhole it slower than if left right on the soldered joint? And some fluxes chemical action largely stops after the heat goes? Given that LA-co is said to be okay on gas, I'm guessing a little left behind is going to cause a problem only over a VERY long period - unlike powerflow which I understand is the most aggressive flux?

 

[Phil_Plumb]

No laco is v agressive worse than powerflow so im told.

 

[stevetheplumber]

dont worry the leak will wash it of

 

[marshr02]

I bet lots of plumbers do this all the time at the radiators - and just leave it. Anyhow, seeing as I'm first fix in the room below I'm taking down the p/brd to check. The thing that gets me is there is SO much conflicting information regarding flux - for every pro saying one thing there's another saying the opposite.

 

[marshr02]

dont worry the leak will wash it of

This made me laugh - even though I'm bloody sh**gd and this was the last joint of many - just cost me a lot of time

 

[Kyle87]

I bet lots of plumbers do this all the time at the radiators - and just leave it. Anyhow, seeing as I'm first fix in the room below I'm taking down the p/brd to check. The thing that gets me is there is SO much conflicting information regarding flux - for every pro saying one thing there's another saying the opposite.

Don't worry about conflicting info. Just do it right.
Flux on pipe only unless specified
(Apparently Yorkshire specify a small amount inside fitting but that's not my words)
Wipe off excess flux
Solder joint
Wipe clean when cooled

 

[marshr02]

Don't worry about conflicting info. Just do it right.
Flux on pipe only unless specified
(Apparently Yorkshire specify a small amount inside fitting but that's not my words)
Wipe off excess flux
Solder joint
Wipe clean when cooled

Thanks for reply. Yup - learnt in last couple of days to just put flux on pipe and wipe off excess flux - used to put it everywhere and flush really well. My issue in this case was I messed up and the joint wasn't complete. In this case I cleaned the entire freshly assembled fitting with wire wool and apply some flux on the outside over the solder joint - then heat and add some extra solder - in this case the extra flux dribbled down. How do you rework a joint? The conflicting info is regards the flux - I would rather do the elbow work and have a less aggressive flux if one exists still? cheers...

 

[bengal lancer]

Laco Flux in contact with Track Pipe is really bad. allways cap off open ends untill ready to do the final connection. especially with Tracpipe. Tip From Top. Dont let the Flux Drop

 

[bengal lancer]

ie when soldering pipework on a boiler. when you have a open end bellow where your soldering ^^ allways close open ends

 

[Dannyparty92]

Everflux feels the most aggressive!

 

[kozak1968]

Does flux not neutralise itself after the initial corrosion.... Every action is an equal and opposite re-action...... was it Einstein or Newton?

 

[Howsie]

Newton's law of motion.

 

[Howsie]

Does flux not neutralise itself after the initial corrosion.... Every action is an equal and opposite re-action...... was it Einstein or Newton?

A certain amount of flux will 'run out' its corrosive capability.

 

[kozak1968]

Professional

Newton's law of motion.