When you need to perform repairs to your household plumbing system, you will require a torch that enables you to solder copper tubing and fittings as well as piping. To use a gas torch you will inevitably require gas.

Mapp Gas

Two main types of gas exist for these types of plumbing projects. The first and most well known type is propane gas. Propane first became associated with plumbing many years ago and this fact is well known and has been adopted by many people.

Mapp Gas

Propane gas is the ideal for a wide range of projects, including many of the basic plumbing and repair jobs you may be required to do around your home. This type of gas torch can easily handle up to 75% of the DIY type jobs encountered. Propane is relatively cheap and readily available. It creates adequate heat for standard plumbing repairs.

The second choice of gas is Mapp. Mapp is a mixture of methylacetylene-propadine and liquefied petroleum gas. In comparison to propane, this gas is able to burn hotter; in fact, it produces a 5300 degree flame. This can speed up a plumbing job, especially if you already possess experience of the job. It is also a wise choice for repairing larger pipes. However, if you like to do repair jobs without professional help but are inexperienced at soldering then the higher temperature may present problems.

For a start, the flux of a plumbing joint can be burnt out if adequate care is not taken and if you are using the gas torch in a tight space then the extra heat may cause problems. This will mean that you will have to be wary of accidentally creating fires or burning things.

A further consideration relates to the affordability. Mapp gas is considerably more expensive than standard propane gas. This must be taken into consideration if you only intend on conducting a few repairs.

However, Mapp is favored over propane when you intend to work with pipes which may contain excess water. Mapp gas burns much hotter in comparison to propane and this makes it a great deal easier as it boils the water out much quicker.

Propane and Mapp gas not only have very different characteristics but their purposes differ too. Make your gas torch selection based upon the quantity of work required to be performed and also consider the dimensions of the material requiring repair.

Propane Gas Versus Mapp Gas - Which is the Most Suitable Gas Torch For You?

Mapp Gas