Lead solder is it safe??

[Dieseljockey]

Now we know lead is not good for us....but I've done diy plumbing jobs around the house and no one bothers about the solder in your cold water system....So the Q is...can I use solder in a RIMS without any problems....ie..solder leaching into the wort.

D.J.

 

[dogchillibilly]

It's illegal to use Lead solder in any domestic water system.

http://www.plumbingpages.com/featurepages/Pipeworkfluxsolder.cfm

... and on the right

http://www.wras.co.uk/PDF_Files/SoldersFluxes2.pdf

if it was just passing fluid through the one time you might say i'll get away with it, but continuously circulating... no thank you.

 

[Lurch]

Potable solder is fine obviously.

 

[Aleman]

From what I was aware Lead solder can be used on central heating systems but is banned in potable systems. . . .Looking at the costs from various suppliers, lead free is no more expensive than lead solder . . . so why buy lead solder?

 

[john_s]

From what I was aware Lead free solder can be used on central heating systems but is banned in potable systems. . . .Looking at the costs from various suppliers, lead free is no more expensive than lead solder . . . so why buy lead solder?

You've got that the wrong way round lead solder can be used for CH, but it needs to be lead free for potable water.

I've never really paid much attention to plumbing solder, but I'm sure electronics solder with lead in seemed to flow better than the new lead free stuff does.

 

[Aleman]

:hmm: :hmm: Ah bugger! Fingers adding words that brain did not use . . . That should have read

From what I was aware Lead solder can be used on central heating systems but is banned in potable systems. . . .

You've got that the wrong way round lead solder can be used for CH, but it needs to be lead free for potable water.

 

[corby_brewer]

:hmm: :hmm: Ah bugger! Fingers adding words that brain did not use . . . That should have read

From what I was aware Lead solder can be used on central heating systems but is banned in potable systems. . . .

You've got that the wrong way round lead solder can be used for CH, but it needs to be lead free for potable water.

So does that mean that it safe to use copper in a brewery??????????? :twisted:

 

[Dieseljockey]

From what I was aware Lead solder can be used on central heating systems but is banned in potable systems. . . .

You've got that the wrong way round lead solder can be used for CH, but it needs to be lead free for potable water.

[/quote]

So does that mean that it safe to use copper in a brewery??????????? :twisted:[/quote]

Ya... you can understand it's a no-no for the home.....last time I used lead solder was about 35 years back...I was just wondering about the health side in a brew setup....I'll get lead free..

 

[Lurch]

I've never really paid much attention to plumbing solder, but I'm sure electronics solder with lead in seemed to flow better than the new lead free stuff does.

Yes it did. Lead free stuff is bloody awful and needs a higher melting point than good old eutectic 63:37 solder.
The lead ban cost me, and the whole electronics industry, a bloody fortune and resulted in poorer reliability of products due to the higher temperatures and weaker joints produced.
The twin great ironies are that the original study suggesting lead leachage in landfill was shown to be a load of old cobblers and that the lead free versions contain more nasties which are vapourised when soldering.
So the switch to lead free was unwarranted and lead to a more dangerous product!
That's the EU for you!

 

[jamesb]

So does that mean that it safe to use copper in a brewery??????????? :twisted:

Oh god, don't start that one again.

 

[jamesb]

I've never really paid much attention to plumbing solder, but I'm sure electronics solder with lead in seemed to flow better than the new lead free stuff does.

Yes it did. Lead free stuff is bloody awful and needs a higher melting point than good old eutectic 63:37 solder.

Shouldn't you have been exempt from RoHS Lurch?

We certainly are. Although the H&S brigade at work are trying to get us all to use lead free. I've objected on the grounds that it's crap and have a secret stash of decent stuff.

 

[Dieseljockey]

Good God...

What did I start here.....I think I'll use plastic... :-) lol