My vacation day (yesterday) was not good. I started plumbing in the new wet wall, and it was horrible. The solder would not sweat into the joints. I knew it, but I tried it anyway, thinking maybe I was being over critical. Well, I was a bit over critical, but one joint sprayed water out all over the place. I ran into town to get some parts, and tried again. It freakin' sprayed out at the same place. It was too late to continue working on it, so I had to wait until today.

Today, however, was a new day. I bounced between plumbing and work. First change was the flux. I used paste flux, and everything worked. The solder got sucked in so well that on one sleeve a big gob hardened on the inside where a pipe was supposed to go, and I had to clean it out. I rebuilt the cold line, and it went so smoothly, I went ahead and put in the hot line. Everything is now holding. The joints even look professional. Gotta love it.

The area this all had to go was not pleasant or easy to work. Sweating joints right against wood is a bit scary. However, a few folds of aluminum foil does wonders to protect the wood. It melts fast, so you have to use several layers, but I did not set the house on fire. I am not positive that's a good thing, but well, I didn't. Plumbing under the house is not fun. I didn't plan on it being comfortable, but it is difficult to position one's self to be able to heat a joint and sweat it without having solder drip on you. I can't say I was completely successful, but my stomach and back feel like I just had a major workout.

I have also learned that like most things, plumbing does not respond well to swearing. It heats much better if coaxed to take the solder before you have to shift your position, set the house on fire, or drop something. Although, being threatened that if it doesn't work it is going to be cut out does seem to help.

By the way, the bread trick works pretty well...

Four to go...