"Phillip944" wrote in message
oups.com...
I'll admit it... I've never soldered anything in my life. So, to
replace a corroded, leaky copper elbow joint, my father-in-law
instructed me to heat the pipe, pull off the old joint, then replace
it... after proper preparation, of course.

The problem is that I heated the old elbow, but nothing happened. I
heated the pipe & the elbow... nothing. Couldn't get it off.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as I dread the cost of
having a plumber do what seems to be a simple replacement.


Hear are some question Is the water off? did you drain all the water out
of pipe? sometimes you can't get all the water out of the pipe, you will
never sweat it apart. Are you sure the solder is melting? if so try tapping
it apart with a hammer handle GENTLY. Sometimes you have to just cut the
pipe add two couplings and an elbow.( you will need a little pipe). If you
do get the elbow off place it on a concrete floor take the same hammer you
tapped the fitting off with turn it around and flatten the old elbow, Then
go buy a new one trust me.