Slide both pieces down so they are 1 inch or so from the end of the pipe. Instead, the brass fitting may cut the line. Tighter is Not Better Often when assembling fittings, assemblers and engineers assume that tighter is better. After all, you cant solder PEX and you cant use glue or clamps on copper. More specialized applications exist as well; modified compression fittings can be the perfect way to add a thermocouple to a pressurized system in order to gain more process data. Scrape away any burrs from the copper pipe and rub a drop of dishwashing liquid on each end of the copper to act as a lubricant. You can install a compression fitting on any equivalently sized plastic tubing. Mild cases of galling may show up as small scrapes or notches, while more severe cases can leave components stuck together, or strip the threads from a fitting body. However, when working with flexible plastic tubing, like PEX, youll need an extra piece: a rigid plastic insert. Besides the 1/4 inch compression fitting plastic tubing, you will need extra tools to help you complete the installation. With our aim of creating a strong online fashion community full of fashion enthusiasts, we are here with the best and most relevant content for our readers. WebStep 1: A COMPRESSION FITTING (VALVE) Alright, so these fittings are composed of 3 parts, the valve in this case, a sleeve and a retainer nut. One key design factor when using this kind of tubing is its tendency to cold flow, or deform away from a compressive load. Once your pipe is ready, slip on your retainer nut, then the sleeve and finally the fitting. Compression fittings are user-friendly, easy to install and have many purposes. Additionally, the relative angles of the ferrule and the fitting body will determine how much linear motion is converted into radial compression, and what level of contact (line contact or surface contact) is made with the tubing. Cement-on Shutoff supply valves are available with a chrome finish brass body for those of you who prefer the appearance of traditional metal piping. The success of compression fittings in a given application can depend on a number of factors. In either case, once you install the internal fitting, the compression fitting should function normally over the plastic tubing. How to Make a Compression Joint 1. This works to compress the compression O-ring between the fitting. Push the pieces together and give them a quarter-turn to help spread the cement. Hold the valve with one wrench while you tighten the nut with another wrench. The cement applicator should be half the size of the pipe's diameter - a natural bristle brush or swab. This style of supply line has a 1/2 inch nut at each end. Compression fittings offer an easy-to-install alternative to traditional soldered plumbing connections. Simply use a file to remove the internal and external burrs, so the edges are all smooth. Loosen the nut on the compression fitting and slide the fitting onto the pipe until the end of the pipe is fully inside it. 5 Steps to Done it. Compression fittings are ingenious because you can use them in places where welding isnt an option. If the Tubing Kinks 4. If the edge of the hole is closer than 1 in. The key to using compression fittings at high pressure, especially with gases, is the integrity of the ferrule seal. ), HardieBacker Vs. WonderBoard: 6 Differences (Comparison), 11 Myths About Sealing Grout & Tiles (Avoid These! Particularly useful for their extreme temperature and pressure capabilities, and their compatibility with aggressive fluids, compression fittings can be seen in systems varying from gas lines in refineries, to the plumbing under your sink. Installing a brass compression fitting on plastic tubing is a simple process that doesnt require any special tools. ), How To Install An Interior Door That Is Not Pre Hung: 8 Steps. Here, youll want to hand tighten the fitting first and then use a wrench to tighten it further. Shut Off the Water 2. Be sure to remove the burrs and lightly chamfer the end of the tubing. Contact your local plumbing inspector to see if CPVC is permitted in your area. You can quickly distinguish between the light beige color of CPVC pipe and the bright white of PVC. In other applications, such as laboratory instruments, concerns over contamination make the sterility and low out-gassing properties of stainless steel tubing and compression fittings attractive. As described in the Ferrules section above, the optimal seal is created by a line contact between the ferrule and the tubing. 740. (The O-ring was pulled out for visibility.). This increases the ease of assembly in applications where many fittings are used, and assembly time is critical. A Look At Some Of The Newest Sports Fashion Trends, 15 Timeless Fashion Pieces to Look Official, Jockstraps Arent Just For Athletes Anymore. This is then bent and squeezed tightly against the tapered surface of the fitting as a nut on the pipe is tightened. The same rule applies to the internal fitting, so use the same concept. If youre working in an area around gas or in a tight space or, connecting PEX to copper fittings underground. Cut the end of the pipe, if necessary, using a tubing cutter. Furthermore, compression nuts and ferrules are often all metal, and can be autoclaved, cleaned, or sterilized more easily than fittings containing plastics or internal elastomers. They provide an effective way to connect two objects together, securely and reliably. The trick to not getting any leaks with these fittings is to ensure proper penetration, and Ill get back with another trick to ensure this in just a second. After cutting your pipe, you might end up with rough edges. So, be sure the sealing ring is situated correctly, with it facing the compression fitting, not the nut. Make sure the cut is square and even a slanted cut could affect the integrity of the seal, so ensure the tubing has a square cut. But for a better fit, chamfer the edge with a pocket-knife. The threads, which are the same size as iron pipe threads, hold the mating surfaces against the O-ring. If everything remains dry, youre good to go! Besides being beveled, they should be completely free of plastic shards. Furthermore, tubing that has been stored in coils can often have an asymetrical diameter, preventing even compression. Runs longer than 30 ft. require a U-shaped detour about 1 ft. on a side somewhere in the length to allow for expansion and contraction. Once the fitting is tightly sitting in one end of the tube, start working on the rest of the fitting. Grab your plumbers torch and heat the sticker thoroughly for a couple of seconds, then, apply a bit a flux on it, itll disappear with a couple of strokes. Use water hammer arresters to keep pipes from banging. The cement-on tees, elbows and couplings are considerably cheaper and simpler to use than the mechanical fittings, and because of their small size, fit nicely into tight areas. These include: Get your PVC pipe and cut the tubing to your preferred size. Your cue for knowing when they are tight enough is when you start to hear a squeaking noise as you are tightening, this is caused by the rotational friction between all the parts inside. However, you may want to replace the rings if the fitting is old. Be aware that many home copper or steel water pipe systems are used as grounding for electrical wiring. The body, nut and sleeve are furnished pre-assembled, ready for installation. Here, the largest barrier is that plastic tubing is soft. CPVC tubing is ideal for water supply lines. If youre joining different materials, such as PEX tubing t. compression fittings are a great choice. Prepare your pipe by cutting it properly. Yes, you can. 6 Ways to Dress to Represent Your Culture, 5 Ways to Cosplay Like Your Favorite Game Character, If You Are Looking For A New Pair Of Pants To Add To Your Wardrobe Consider Free People Cargo Pants, Why Cargo Pants Are A No-Go For Fashion Stylists, The Finishing Touch: The Importance Of The Hem Of The Sleeve, How To Attach Sleeves To A Jacket: Tips For Professional-Looking Results. Share it with us! Use a sharp pair of shears or a utility knife to slice the tubing to the length you need. Most basic compression fittings contain a single ferrule. Separate each piece of the fitting, including the nut, ferrule, body, and stiffener, setting each piece within reach. Then, screw the compression fitting onto that side of the tube. tubing and 1-in. The way in which metal tubing is produced can have a significant effect on its performance with compression fittings. And the best part? If youre not sure, look for the printing on the side of the pipe. Here, the joint will never be under pressure. You may also want to use pipe dope or PTFE tape. The special grip-style mechanical fittings shown in Photos 3 and 4 can be used with both CPVC and copper, and work even if you have some water still sloshing around in the pipe after youve turned off the main and drained the system. diameters in 10-ft. lengths. Its essential to choose the proper type of compression fitting for your project. Insert the Pipe into the Fitting. Go around the tubing several times with the dauber (Photo 6) to work the solvent into the plastic. Plastic tubing offers many benefits compared to alternative piping materials, such as ease of installation and resistance to chemicals. Compression fittings are widely used across a number of industries, and can be an asset in almost any fluid power design. A compression fitting is not a specific plumbing part but rather a type of fastening system for valves, water supply tubes and other plumbing fittings. By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, How to Work With Push-Fit Plumbing Fittings, How to Install Slip Joint Washers in Plumbing. How to install Compression Fittings on plastic tubing. Do not use a wrench. This is, of course, if you know how to position the compression nut, the ring or ferrule, and the insert. Slip the compression nut from the compression fitting onto the pipe, then slip on the compression ring. This will slightly narrow the water passage. Now, this is how a compression fitting works with copper. However, if youre using mixed materials, the correct fitting varies. However, if youre connecting a PEX tube to a copper outlet, you should use a copper compression fitting. Repeat the process until the cutting wheel cuts all the way through the pipe. Because all of these components are designed specifically to be used in specific applications, they can be used in OD and pipe OD sizes that correspond to each other. A surface contact weakens the seal and often results in leaks. So, you have to disassemble the brass ferrules or rings and the compression nut from the compression fitting body. Therefore, you should never use compression fittings on your gas lines. However, that may not be necessary. Metal ferrules are attractive because they are stable over a wide temperature range, and they can bear compressive loads without relaxing. However, that should be fine for most purposes. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For example, PEX tubing is sized differently than refrigerator lines. This varies per region and is heavily controlled by local regulation. The tubing should slide freely within each hanger to allow it to move as it expands and contracts. Also, compression fittings can be used on leaky pipes such as broken water lines in an emergency situation. You can also use a stab-in tee to connect PEX fittings supply to CPVC. Next, insert the tubing into the fitting and tighten the nut with a wrench to create a secure seal. If there is a particular design issue (for example, a tight bend radius) that necessitates softer tubing, it is important to reinforce the tubing wall. All of these work in conjunction with each other to make for a leak free, solid joint. Torque, on the other hand, can vary greatly, depending on fitting and ferrule material, lubrication, degree of galling (for stainless fittings), and other factors. This system is designed to be very user-friendly, and because the outside diameter of CPVC tubing is sized the same as copper pipe, the grip-style mechanical fittings (Photos 3 and 4) can be used on both copper and CPVC pipe. No two applications are exactly the same! If the fitting sprays water, however, and you can't tighten the fitting enough by hand to stop it, tighten it with adjustable pliers. Compression fittings are not safe to use on gas lines. This does not hold true for compression fittings. If you know youll have to eventually disassemble your tubing, it makes sense to use compression fittings. Add shutoff valves using mechanical fittings as well. These grip-style fittings work equally well on copper pipe. If the fitting or nut threads are damaged, replace the fitting. The only thing left to do is to tighten the retainer nut. There are three primary parts in a compression fitting: a nut, a plastic compression ring, and ferrules. Care should be taken to follow the assembly procedures First, youll need to measure and cut the tubing to the desired length. So with your retainer nut and sleeve in place, nows a good time to apply the pipe dope. While they do cost more, the increase in safety can be considerable. Slide the nut over the ring and thread it onto the fitting until it is hand-tight. Some manufacturers offer tubing inserts for this purpose. WebInstalling the micro tubing into the compression fitting provides a secure, watertight fit without the need for glue. Even so, not everyone can install the fitting correctly. Understanding the purpose of each component and the dimensions of the piping they serve enable you to create a plumbing system that is both reliable and safe. Dont use a wrench to tighten the nut. Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Remove the nut and check the ring, then reinstall the nut. Drawing a line on your pipes can help you to know where you have to install the fitting. Ferrules however, are specifically engineered to create an optimal seal against both the tubing and the fitting body. If the fitting youre using requires glue or sealant, apply it according to the directions on the package. Never use compression fittings for gas-line connections. This is true, especially if you dont know how compression fitting works with plastic. After that, get your wrench and make just one or two full turns. Position the Parts and Join Them 3. After cutting, ease the outer tubing edge with a file or sandpaper to deburr it. If you use a saw, remove the burrs from the saw cut. Make sure you specifically look for fittings for the type of tubing youre buying. Therefore, you want to use nylon or PVC. Some codes require a primer (the purple product shown in the photos). Avoid over-tightening or you could strip the threads. In fact, CPVC has been successfully used in homes for more than 35 years. Tighten the Nut How to Join a Compression Union 1. If youve ever done any soldering, you know that you have to get rid of all the water in the adjacent copper pipes to heat the pipe to accept the solder. Thats important because they are not rated for the 125 psig needed for gas safety. Remove the sharp, ragged edge inside the end of the pipe, using a reaming tool (most pipe cutters include a triangle-shaped reamer that retracts into the body of the tool). Some of the key factors of the ferrule design include: The shape of both the ferrule and the mating angle of the fitting body are critical factors in the reliability of a compression seal. Both components must be tapered in a manner that allows the ferrule to compress properly as the nut is tightened, while maintaining axial alignment with the tubing. Cement a stub-out tube to the water supply stub-out ells and cap them. Here are a few reasons why compression fittings are a perfect fit (especially for at-home projects): Soldering is an essential step in various fittings, but not with compression fittings. The fittings have a one-way gripper ring that grabs the pipe as you push it into the fitting; its like one of those Chinese finger puzzles you played with as a kid. 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