Tricks for drying pipe, pre-sweating a joint...

Hello,

Does anyone have any tricks up their sleeve for making sure copper pipe is dry prior to sweating a joint?

For example, I've heard someone say they shove a little piece of bread in the pipe if a slow drip is preventing the pipe from being totally dry. They claim the bread absorbs the drip, and will dissolve once the joint is sealed and water is flowing. Not sure if that is legit??

Curious to hear...
Thanks,
Ed

Yes, that is a trick I have used on a few occasions. You do need to remove the areators from your faucets and run the faucets for a short period of time to prevent them from clogging with the bread.

Just stuff a rag in the pipe and sweat a valve on, pull rag out and shut valve

mikec said:

Just stuff a rag in the pipe and sweat a valve on, pull rag out and shut valve

Click to expand...

What if you don't want a valve in that location? phishfood's way works and it makes more sense.

John