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In plumbing, it would be impossible to connect pipes without their fittings. These small elements make it possible to assemble the tubes while ensuring an irreproachable seal to the pipes. As there is a wide variety of piping, there are also several plumbing Welding Fittings. What are the most common connections? How to use them? Learn about this subject.

The Different Forms Of Plumbing Fittings

Before going into details, it is interesting to dwell on the various forms of fittings that exist on the market. 

Depending on the piping configuration, the plumber may use: 

A sleeve or a reducer: Its mission is to link two pipes in a straight line. It is particularly suitable for pipes that have the same diameter. If the pipes do not have the same diameters, then a reducer must be used. 

An elbow: its role is to assemble two pipes of the same diameter. The elbow has an angle of 27 °, 45 ° or 90 °.

A plug: it is used to close a distribution pipe.

A tee or a panty: it allows you to assemble three pieces of pipes. It is T-shaped or Y-shaped depending on its use.

An inspection pad: this connection provides access to the evacuation pipes.

Important: it is useful to point out that not all forms of fittings are necessarily available in all materials. It is therefore important to see what the specificities of each of them are.

The Different Materials For The Fittings

Now that we have a few elements concerning the shapes of the fittings, let’s now approach the question of the materials of manufacture. There are several, solderless or solderless copper fittings, which are the best known, and PER fittings for crosslinked polyethylene pipes.

1. The copper plumbing fitting

This type of copper fitting is particularly strong and easy to install. It is used to connect copper pipes. A qualified plumber has several options in front of him, which gives him the possibility of performing various interventions. The advantage of copper plumbing fittings is that they are ideal for sanitary piping as well as the heating network. The copper piping is connected by soldering. 

2. The brass fitting

There are different forms. In addition, they are used in the assembly of different types of pipes. Brass fittings come either as bicone or olive fittings. The seal is ensured by a deformable ring which will serve as a seal when they are screwed to the copper tubes. 

He can also assemble the tubes with the help of a beaten collar. The technique is old and consists of inserting a brass nut on a copper tube. The end of the pipe must then be bent in order to create a collar which will serve as a stop for the nut. From now on, plumbing professionals no longer create a flanged collar, these fittings are now sold in all specialized stores. Finally, there are the manifolds which are fittings with several connections which assemble a water inlet pipe with various distribution circuits. The nurses have shut-off valves. 

The advantage of the brass fitting is that it can connect pipes of different materials such as for example copper or steel pipe. To connect two types of ferrous or non-ferrous metals, consider installing a special connection such as the RID (dielectric connection) in order to minimize the electrochemical risks. 

3. The PE connection

The PE or polyethylene fitting is very resistant to pressure unlike PVC fittings. It is most often found in the water supply of kitchens, bathrooms, garden watering circuits, etc. There are two types of PE fittings: the compression fitting used to connect two PE pipes together. and the PE-Brass fitting to connect a PE pipe with a copper or PER pipe.

4. The PER fitting

PER fittings do not require soldering and are very easy to install. We can cite three kinds of fittings of this type:

• The slip coupling which is used most often in the installation of heating networks because of its good seal. To install it, the plumber will use a flaring pliers or slip pliers.
• The compression fitting has a nut shape. The fitting crushes the pipe to ensure the seal between the two elements. It is assembled and disassembled by screwing and is especially recommended in the renovation.
• The fitting for crimping

Like the compression fitting, the assembly will be done by deformation. The downside is that the action is final since it can no longer be disassembled. It requires the use of a crimping tool.