Is there a way to change a shut off valve without solder

[frost-ranch]

I need to remove and replace the shut off valves that go to an utility sink. The current shut off valves are soldered to the copper pipes coming out of the wall and so corroded that from past experience I am pretty sure that I will have to cut them off to replace them. Question.... Is there a way to install the new shut off valves without having to do any soldering? I hate to solder as I am not very good at it.

[DIY Guy]

There are probably some alternatives out there, some sort of compression fitting possibly.

However, soldering is really the best choice. In this case, I recommend soldering a female slip/male thread coupler onto the copper pipe, then just screw the valve on. Let me suggest a couple tips to make soldering easier.

Make sure there is no standing water in the part of the pipe you are working on. If there is, use a straw to blow or suck it out. Standing water makes it a lot harder to heat the pipe.

Next point, people often focus on melting the solder. That isn't the objective. You want to heat the pipe up hot enough so that touching the solder to the pipe makes the solder melt. When you do that, capillary action pulls the liquid solder right into the joint.

Get the whole joint hot, not just one side - move the flame around continuously.

Use MAPP gas instead of propane, it gets a lot hotter and makes the whole process faster and easier. Careful though, hold the flame still too long and you can melt the copper pipe.

Make sure to sand the pipe shiny and clean with emory cloth. Apply acid flux to further improve the likelihood of getting a good solder joint.

Buy some extra pipe and fittings and practice heating the pipe to get the solder to melt and fill the joint. Practice on some throw away material will really help. Once I finally figured out the trick to it, it was easy after that.

If you mess up the joint, don't try to fix it. Just start completely over and clean the pipe and flux it again.

[fix-it]

Yes, there are compression supply valves. The problem is do you have enough pipe behind the current supply valves to reinstall the compression valves if you cut the old ones off. If not you can shut off the water to the system, open the old valves; then turn on a valve in a different location that is lower to get the water out of the line you are working on. You can then heat up the old valves until the solder melts and carefully remove them. While the pipe is still hot wipe off all the old solder. After the pipe cools off you should be able to install the compression valves. I would recommend a full port supply valve, the cost is higher but they will last longer and you get a much better flow through them. Good luck!