SOLDERING

It’s not the sound you want to hear in your home or workplace. A persistent drip, hitting the concrete and creating an unwanted puddle amongst belongings. 

Leaks happen at the worst times. Systems overloaded with water, and the prospect of getting up onto the roof during a rainstorm is less than appealing. We’ve had one hell of a wet winter here at Fribesco HQ at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, and leaks have unfortunately been abundant. And while you can fix broken guttering, downspouts and cappings with silicone, if your components are made of non-ferrous metals, the most durable and long-lasting solution is soldering. 

The soldering of copper and zinc gutterings and cappings is common in Europe but less so, at the moment, in New Zealand and Australia. Soldering outlasts silicone and keeps gutters, cappings, and downspouts doing the job they’re meant to do, keeping water out of our homes and workplaces. 

Some things to think about.

Copper and zinc roofing components and other non-ferrous metals are compatible with soldering. Soldering might seem like another thing to learn. However, learning how to effectively solder seams and joins is well worth the peace of mind that comes with knowing the spouting you’re working on isn’t going to turn into an angry phone call the next time it rains. From a safety standpoint, soldering does deal with high temperatures and potentially noxious fumes, so using the appropriate PPE at all times is recommended. Because I don’t know about you, but filling out an incident form because the apprentice has been let loose with a soldering iron is not on my weekly bingo card. Practice makes perfect, and it’s well worth investing in some additional training if soldering is new to you. 

The bottom line.

If you’re going to be using premium materials like copper and zinc, it makes sense to use the most durable and long-lasting method of sealing seams and joins. Premium products deserve a premium finish. 

We offer a range of soldering torches, sticks and cleaning products. Ready to say goodbye to silicone? Email us today at order@fribesco.com to start your soldering journey today.