Replacing shutoff valve but too much water in pipes to sweat

[branimal]

Using a map torch and the pipes aren’t getting hot enough to melt the solder.

I’ve run the water using the other faucets, showers, toilet, etc.

I’ve tried pulling water out with syringe.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

 

[jeffmattero76]

A couple of ideas, but, before using these turn off your water main. Then open the lowest faucet in the house (typically the laundry tub in the basement) and then open every faucet and flush every toilet on the floors above to admit air and drain all of your pipes into the laundry tub.

Then, I would use a trick an old plumber taught me many years ago... get some white bread, remove the crust, and roll it into a ball. Stuff it into the open ends of the pipe and push it in as far as you can. That will hold the water away from your joint. Solder the joint, close all of the upstairs faucets, remove any aerator that is on the laundry tub faucet, and turn the water back on. The bread will come out of the laundry tub faucet as mush. Run the water in the laundry tub faucet for a little while to make sure the pipe is clear.

If that doesn't work, go buy some shark bite fittings and make your repair using those rather than soldering.

 

[CT-18]

Is it vertical or horizontal. I use old 3/8" plastic lav supply or a straw to pull the water out. Is the main shut off not holding or is it just residual water.

 

[branimal]

Is it vertical or horizontal. I use old 3/8" plastic lav supply or a straw to pull the water out. Is the main shut off not holding or is it just residual water.

Vertical.

Residual water.

Good idea with the tubing. Is there a more civilized approach than sucking on the tubing?

I’ve got a syringe but that only holds 4 ounces.

 

[branimal]

Then open the lowest faucet in the house (typically the laundry tub in the basement) .

It’s in a multi unit condo. The Super shut off the water for me, but the residual water prevented me from sweating the pipe.

I drained the water everywhere in my unit.

Knowing this could happen, I had sharkbites ready to go. I’d leave them in place but I’m trying to move my shutoff valves.

I might use the bread technique. I’ll open the newly sweat on shutoff valve and the bread should come flying out.

Thanks.

 

[voletl]

Sucking on the tube???
You dip the tube in the pipe, place your finger on the end of the tube and lift up.
And how big is this pipe? If your removing 4 onces of water at a time you should be able to have enough dry pipe to work with

 

[branimal]

Sucking on the tube???
You dip the tube in the pipe, place your finger on the end of the tube and lift up.
And how big is this pipe? If your removing 4 onces of water at a time you should be able to have enough dry pipe to work with

Lmao. Thx voletl.

 

[CT-18]

You could also blow into it. I also rigged up the end of the wet vac with tape and 3/8" tubing.