Steel Wool

Steel Wool is a fine mesh of steel strands used to clean metal. For plumbers, its main job is cleaning the ends of copper pipe and the inside of fittings before soldering, so the solder can flow and grip properly.

Using steel wool on plumbing jobs

A soldered joint will only be as good as the cleaning beforehand. Rub the pipe end until it is bright all round, past the depth that goes into the fitting. Clean inside the fitting too. It also takes light rust off tools and old fittings, brightens copper before polishing, and cleans old pipe before a Compression olive goes on.

If the pipe is badly tarnished or painted, use emery cloth or a wire brush first, then finish with the wool.

Specification

• Material: Steel
• Suitable for: Cleaning copper before soldering and removing light rust

Common Questions

What grade of steel wool is best for copper pipe?

A fine to medium grade cleans the oxide off copper without scoring it deeply. Coarse grades are better kept for rust on steel.

Can steel wool be used on chrome taps?

Best not. It scratches the finish, and tiny fibres left behind rust and leave brown spots.

Is steel wool or emery cloth better before soldering?

Both do the job on the pipe end. Steel wool gets inside fittings more easily, while emery cloth is quicker on heavy tarnish.

Glasgow counter tips

Once a pipe is cleaned, do not touch the clean area with your fingers, as grease stops solder taking. Apply flux straight away and make the joint. Keep it away from stainless steel sinks and chrome, because tiny steel fibres left behind can rust and mark the surface. Store it dry, or it will rust in the bag.

Find Steel Wool next to the wire brushes in our accessories range.

Buy it at the Plumb Parts trade counter, 555 South Street, Glasgow G14 0QX, on any day of the week: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm and Sat-Sun 8am-1pm. It can be ordered online too.