Pipe FittingsPipe Fittings

Purpose of Pipe FittingsPurpose of Pipe Fittings

Plumbing fittings have different Plumbing fittings have different shapes which allow rigid straight shapes which allow rigid straight pipe to change both direction and pipe to change both direction and diameter. diameter.

ElbowsElbows

Used to change the angle or Used to change the angle or direction of the pipe run. direction of the pipe run.

The most common elbows come in The most common elbows come in 90 degree and 45 degree turns. 90 degree and 45 degree turns.

– The sweep of the fitting describes how The sweep of the fitting describes how fast a transition or change in direction fast a transition or change in direction is made. is made.

Street ElbowsStreet Elbows

One end of the fitting has male One end of the fitting has male threads and the other end has threads and the other end has female threads. female threads.

– Street elbows are common in Street elbows are common in galvanized steel and copper pipe. galvanized steel and copper pipe.

– They are convenient because they do They are convenient because they do away with the need for a nipple and away with the need for a nipple and work well in tight quarters. work well in tight quarters.

Tee or T-fittingsTee or T-fittings

Allow for branch lines. Allow for branch lines. They are shaped like the letter T.They are shaped like the letter T. DWV tees are known as waste or DWV tees are known as waste or

sanitary Ts. sanitary Ts. – In these fittings the intersection is In these fittings the intersection is

slightly curved in order to avoid clogs. slightly curved in order to avoid clogs. Gradual bends are best for smooth Gradual bends are best for smooth flow of waste. flow of waste.

CouplingsCouplings

Used to join two straight pieces of Used to join two straight pieces of pipe of the same diameter. pipe of the same diameter.

ReducersReducers

Used to join pipe of different Used to join pipe of different diameters. diameters. – Galvanized steel reducers are called bell Galvanized steel reducers are called bell

reducers because they look like a bell. reducers because they look like a bell. – All reducers make a gradual transition All reducers make a gradual transition

between different diameters of pipe and between different diameters of pipe and therefore they take up considerable therefore they take up considerable space space

BushingsBushings

Used to make the diameter of a pipe Used to make the diameter of a pipe fitting smaller. fitting smaller.

They differ from reducers in that they They differ from reducers in that they make abrupt changes in diameter and make abrupt changes in diameter and take very little space. take very little space.

– Two examples of galvanized steel bushings Two examples of galvanized steel bushings are are

face bushings, which take the least amount of face bushings, which take the least amount of space, and space, and

hex bushings which can be tightened with an hex bushings which can be tightened with an adjustable wrench. adjustable wrench.

UnionsUnions

Used to join pieces of pipe where Used to join pieces of pipe where pipes cannot be turned or when a pipes cannot be turned or when a piece of equipment may have to be piece of equipment may have to be removed for maintenance or removed for maintenance or replacement. replacement.

Adaptor fittingsAdaptor fittings are used to change the end of a non-are used to change the end of a non-

threaded pipe to male or female threads threaded pipe to male or female threads as needed. as needed.

Adaptors are commonly used in copper Adaptors are commonly used in copper and plastic plumbing jobs. and plastic plumbing jobs.

– For example adaptors are used to convert For example adaptors are used to convert from a PVC glue connection to a threaded from a PVC glue connection to a threaded connection or connection or

– from a copper soldered connection to a from a copper soldered connection to a threaded connection. threaded connection.

Male adapters and female adapters are Male adapters and female adapters are both common. both common.

CapsCaps

Used to close the end of a dead end Used to close the end of a dead end pipe. pipe.

PlugsPlugs

Close an opening on a pipefitting Close an opening on a pipefitting normally used for inspection and normally used for inspection and cleanout. cleanout.

NipplesNipples

Short lengths (under 12") of pipe Short lengths (under 12") of pipe threaded at both ends. threaded at both ends.

WyesWyes

Pronounced like the letter Y Pronounced like the letter Y Used primarily to gain inside access Used primarily to gain inside access

to DWV systems. to DWV systems.

ValvesValves

Devices that control the flow of liquid Devices that control the flow of liquid or gas through or from a pipe. or gas through or from a pipe. – Types of plumbing valves are:Types of plumbing valves are:

compression valves, compression valves, ball valves, ball valves, sleeve-cartridge valves, sleeve-cartridge valves, ceramic disc valves ceramic disc valves and more and more

PVC FittingsPVC Fittings PVC fitting come in a wide variety of configurations. PVC fitting come in a wide variety of configurations. They many be glued (S) or threaded (T) or both.They many be glued (S) or threaded (T) or both. Glued fittings are referred to as “slip” fittings. Glued fittings are referred to as “slip” fittings.

– When specifying a PVC fitting the size and type of When specifying a PVC fitting the size and type of connection are specified. Some examples are:connection are specified. Some examples are:

– ¾” x ½” ST Ell – A reducing ell with a ¾” slip x ½” thread¾” x ½” ST Ell – A reducing ell with a ¾” slip x ½” thread– ¾” x ¾” x ½” SST Tee – A reducing tee with a threaded ¾” x ¾” x ½” SST Tee – A reducing tee with a threaded

outletoutlet– ¾” x ½” SS Bushing = A bushing with slip connections. ¾” x ½” SS Bushing = A bushing with slip connections.

Threads

No Threads

Copper Tubing FittingsCopper Tubing Fittings

Copper tubing use compression Copper tubing use compression fittings. fittings.

Fittings are available to adapt from Fittings are available to adapt from compression to IPS and from compression to IPS and from compression to soldered fittings.compression to soldered fittings.

Common fittings include couplings, Common fittings include couplings, ells, and tees. ells, and tees.

Valves and Hose BibsValves and Hose Bibs Valves are used to control the flow of Valves are used to control the flow of

water or other fluids in a plumbing water or other fluids in a plumbing system. system.

Common types of valves include the Common types of valves include the following:following:

– A gate valve is a valve situated between the A gate valve is a valve situated between the point of connection and the rest of the point of connection and the rest of the plumbing system. plumbing system.

– It usually remains wide open, but can be shut It usually remains wide open, but can be shut down in case repairs or additions have to be down in case repairs or additions have to be made to the system. made to the system.

– A gate valve is not designed to be opened A gate valve is not designed to be opened and closed on a regular basis. and closed on a regular basis.

A check valve allows the fluid in the A check valve allows the fluid in the pipe to flow in one direction only. pipe to flow in one direction only.

– Check valves are used in water wells to Check valves are used in water wells to prevent the backflow of water.prevent the backflow of water.

– There are two basic types: swing or There are two basic types: swing or flapper and lift check valves. Both work flapper and lift check valves. Both work automatically.automatically.

Arrow Depicts Direction of Flow

A globe valve is a valve used when A globe valve is a valve used when frequent adjustment of the flow rate frequent adjustment of the flow rate is necessary.is necessary.– It is a compression-type valve with a It is a compression-type valve with a

disk or washer that is compressed into a disk or washer that is compressed into a seat to form a tight seal. Repair is made seat to form a tight seal. Repair is made by replacing the stem washer or disk.by replacing the stem washer or disk.

A hose bib is a threaded exterior A hose bib is a threaded exterior faucet that allows for the attachment faucet that allows for the attachment of a garden hose or appliance hose.of a garden hose or appliance hose.