Types of Plumbing Fittings

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Plumbing fittings are essential tools for connecting pipes, hoses and other plumbing components. There is a wide range of fittings available, each serving a specific purpose.

Brass fittings are renowned for their strength and dependability, providing years of dependable performance without the risks of corrosion or heat damage. Furthermore, they come in various sizes and finishes to suit any application.

Table of Contents

Elbows

Elbows are a staple in the plumbing system. These fittings usually connect two lengths of pipe together to allow for a change in direction.

When selecting elbows for your home, there are a variety of options depending on what material is being used and your specific requirements. They come in various shapes and sizes too.

A 90 degree elbow is the most popular type, consisting of a simple bend that alters fluid flow direction by 90 degrees. This bend is commonly used for transporting water or gas from one location to another.

Long radius elbows (Radius > 1.5D) are often employed for fluid transportation lines that require pigging. These fittings offer less pressure loss and have a smoother change of direction.

Tees

Tees, which look like a “T,” are commonly used to split or connect two pipes. You might also see them attached to potable water supply lines or sanitary drain pipes.

These fittings feature a ring of metal teeth on the collet that grips onto pipe to form an secure connection, so you can’t pull the pipe out of a tee.

Another type of plumbing fitting is a bite fitting, which has no threads but instead teeth that bite into the pipe to secure it in place. These are sometimes referred to as lock fittings.

These fittings are simple to install and can be removed with a special tool. Since these fittings can be reused multiple times, it’s essential that you clean them thoroughly after each use. The tools may consist of either a small clip that fits over the pipe for assistance in removal or an adjustable clamp-like device.

Couplings

Couplings are a type of plumbing fitting used to join pipe sections of different sizes or materials.

Couplings are constructed of a short pipe with sockets at one or both ends, which allow two pipes or tubes to be joined, welded (steel), brazed or soldered together.

These can be used to join smaller bore pipes with threaded ends or plain end pipes when the pipe specification requires socket weld.

Plumbing couplings come in a range of sizes to adjust internal diameters, connect more than two pipes, or form bends.

Unions

Unions are semi-permanent connections that enable pipes of different metals to join securely. They’re commonly used as a joining method in both residential and commercial settings to join pipe systems.

They’re easy to assemble and disassemble, providing a positive seal when assembled and disconnected. This makes them ideal for any small diameter piping connection that needs quick assembly and disassembly.

A second use for a union is to keep pipes of different metals from coming into contact with each other. This prevents galvanic corrosion, which occurs when two different metals come into direct contact.

Unions and couplings are two plumbing fittings that connect two pipes, but a coupling is more permanent than a union. Unions allow for future disconnection of the pipes for maintenance while couplings provide permanent connection.

Flanges

Flanges are a type of plumbing fitting that connects two pipes or pieces of equipment together. They can be fastened together using bolts or threads and found in many applications like valves and pumps.

Pipe flanges can be constructed out of malleable iron, cast iron, aluminum, brass and stainless steel. The material used depends on the application as well as the environment in which it will be exposed.

Flanges are typically installed using either welding, screwing or brazing. The method of joining the flange to a pipe determines how it seals.