Drywall Nails Vs. Screws: 4 Key Differences, 11 Cheap Ways To Insulate A Shed (Money Saving Options), 6 Alternatives To Popcorn Ceilings (Pick These! The tape prevents leaks by compensating for the different expansion rates of brass and plastic. Theyre a safe alternative to soldered fittings in various situations, making them a popular pick. You may also want to use pipe dope or PTFE tape. Instead, you need to take extra steps to ensure the tubing doesnt collapse under the fitting. Fit one wrench onto the body of the fitting and hold it so that the fitting doesn't move. 3. You will notice that the ring has a taper. 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. Slide the nut over the ring and thread it onto the fitting until it is hand-tight. Yes, you can. The majority of ferrules in the marketplace however, are manufactured from metals. Once thats done, go ahead and start tightening it. or larger holes for 3/4-in. Learn all about the positive and negative aspects of different products and apparel that are launched globally through us. Make sure its tightly in place. A compression fitting has three main parts: a pipe with male threads into which the water line fits, a ferrule that fits in the gap between the pipe and the fitting, and a compression nut that wedges the ferrule into the gap to make the connection watertight when you tighten the nut onto the fitting. You get high quality results, without the copper soldering chore. Such small leaks usually stop in a day or two. Caution: Keep a window open for ventilation and use an organic respirator. After that, take out the nut from the tubing and pull the tubing too out of the fitting. and 3/4-in. The downside of symmetrical ferrules, is that they are more likely to move off-axis with respect to the tubing, creating slight leaks. To completely seal your copper or brass compression fittings, you could use a pipe jointing compound or PTFE tape. Open the jaws of the tubing cutter and fit it onto the pipe so the pipe rests squarely against the two flat rollers of the cutter. As described in the Ferrules section above, the optimal seal is created by a line contact between the ferrule and the tubing. Here, the joint will never be under pressure. It may rupture from the pressure. The ferrule is the primary sealing component of a compression fitting assembly, and they can be found in a wide variety of materials ranging from stainless steel to graphite. Once this happens, your fittings might develop a crack or start leaking. Key factors include: pressure and temperature extremes, environmental conditions, vibration conditions, fluid compatibility, and minimum bend radius. How Do You Install A Compression Fitting On Plastic Tubing? As the ferrule(s) moves axially into the fitting body, the bodys angled shape radially compresses the end of the ferrule onto the outer diameter of the tubing. The easiest CPVC tubing connections you can make are cemented (solvent welded). Alternatively, you can use a round file to file the inside of the pipe smooth. Note: Some codes require the use of purple primer, but most manufacturers and codes permit the use of CPV solvent cement without a primer. If necessary, apply a cleaner or solvent to the rag to clean the pipe. If you use a hacksaw, be rigorous about preparing the edges. The brand is available at wholesale supply houses and home improvement retailers across the United States and Canada, andselect international channels. Caution: Wear special solvent-proof gloves for extensive work. 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. Be careful not to overtighten the nut. Make the cut with a hacksaw as an alternative. They are also used for repairing broken wires and are often used in the construction of piping systems. Re-assembly can be accomplished in a similar manner to the initial assembly, although typically fewer turns of the nut are required, since the ferrule is already swaged to the tubing. Then, the ring (ferrule) is fed onto the tubing. Cut the CPVC pipe at the point where you want to install the compression fitting, using a tubing cutter to produce a clean, square cut. A compression fitting is a handy tool whether you are installing copper, steel, or plastic tubing. Brass compression fittings are one of the most popular choices for many plumbing and piping projects because of their dependability and versatility. Here, the answer is simple. Single ferrule designs minimize the total number of components, and work reliably when fabricated from softer materials (plastic or brass for example). The key to using compression fittings at high pressure, especially with gases, is the integrity of the ferrule seal. Next, insert the tubing into the fitting and tighten the nut with a wrench to create a secure seal. And most importantly, how to correctly tighten the nut to avoid leaks. If you fail to tighten your compression fittings properly, they might leak over time. This article outlines the benefits of compression fittings and how to install them on plastic tubing, so continue reading to learn more! Why? Heres what youll need to complete the project: Compression Pipe joint compound or thread-seal tape (optional). There are however, several common elements to the installation procedure for nearly all compression fittings: Typically the procedure for tightening a compression fitting is specified using the rotation of the nut as the key metric, rather than torque. Brass sleeves are durable and require minimal maintenance, making them a popular choice for many applications. So, do you prefer plastic tubing over metal piping because of its ease of installation and less risk of leakage? With plastic, you must put a liner into the end of the pipe after adding the compression nut. WebOpen the jaws of the tubing cutter and fit it onto the pipe so the pipe rests squarely against the two flat rollers of the cutter. Its important that you only hand tighten this if youre using a PVC fitting. The only thing left to do is to tighten the retainer nut. Photo 3: Push on a CPVC compression fitting. Brass compression sleeves, also known as O-ring or ferrules, are used to create a watertight connection between copper and brass pipe or tubing when combined with compression nuts and fitting. Required fields are marked *. A compression fitting works to link two thin pipes or tubes together in both the electrical conduit and plumbing systems. (Consult the manufacturer for an MSDS technical data sheet.) Harsh water won't harm the material, unlike copper, which will erode from acidic water. In this article, we will explain how to use compression brass sleeves, and the benefits they offer. That tapered edge is designed to allow you to press a pipe onto it. Compression fittings use a nut, a plastic compression ring, and a seal to create a tight seal on any pipe. Compression couplings and other fittings are also available for CPVC plumbing pipes. Following fittings installation instructions, first, turn off the water supply. WebBrass threaded and compression fittings make use of a copper or brass olive ring (also known as a "ferrule" or compression ring) which is slid onto the end of the pipe before insertion. PlumbingSupply.com advises not to wrap plumbing tape around the threads. Or, if youre using PEX and PVC, a PVC compression fitting is your best option. Also, Ill try to find you the best products on the market for your plumbing work. Do not use compression fittings in locations where they will be hidden behind wall, ceiling or floor materials. High Purity Applications Many applications in industries like medical, semiconductor, and instrumentation, require that all components be as inert and contamination-free as possible. How Much Does Lowes Charge To Install A Garbage Disposal? How to Make a Compression Joint 1. ), 10 Mound Septic System Pros & Cons: Comparison (Do This! 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. Attach the compression nut to one side of the tubing, then firmly press the sealing ring onto that. Insufficient tightening of the compression nut will not deform the ferrule enough to create this contact, but over-tightening will deform the ferrule too much, creating a surface contact. Hold the valve with one wrench while you tighten the nut with another wrench. Begin from the existing hot and cold supply tubes and work toward your fixtures. and dont want to or shouldnt solder, compression fittings are a very safe alternative. If youre connecting a PEX tube to a PVC water line, youll want a PVC compression fitting. If you can't get a leak to stop, you may have cross-threaded the compression nut, or the compression ring may not be seated properly against the fitting. Here, youll want to hand tighten the fitting first and then use a wrench to tighten it further. 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. After cutting, ease the outer tubing edge with a file or sandpaper to deburr it. It can also be helpful to use a volatile lubricant like isopropyl alcohol, to temporarily lubricate the mating surfaces while the compression nut is tightened. This will slightly narrow the water passage. Repeat the process on the other end of the compression fitting. As you tighten it, the tubing is pushed inside the O-ring. Cement a stub-out tube to the water supply stub-out ells and cap them. Add shutoff valves using mechanical fittings as well. In most cases, you can reuse the compression fitting. Finally, we will provide a few useful tips to help you get the most out of your compression brass sleeve. However, it is important to do so carefully. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If youre joining different materials, such as PEX tubing t. compression fittings are a great choice. 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. Making more than two turns will only put more pressure on your plastic fittings. Torque, on the other hand, can vary greatly, depending on fitting and ferrule material, lubrication, degree of galling (for stainless fittings), and other factors. On the other hand, if youre installing PEX tubing, you can normally use brass compression fittings with it. Furthermore, tubing that has been stored in coils can often have an asymetrical diameter, preventing even compression. The difference being you have to use an insert during installation. Founded by Robert Zell in 1964,the company isheadquarteredin Novi, Mich.,withmanufacturingfacilities across the United States. This article demonstrates how to cut, join and run CPVC water lines. Loosen the nut on the compression fitting and slide the fitting onto the pipe until A inexpensive tubing cutter easily cuts copper pipe. 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. Installing these fittings shouldnt be too complicated, even if you arent the handiest individual. Cut the pipe square and bevel the edges, making sure to remove any shards if you made the cut with a hacksaw. Here, you can normally roll the tubing out to the length and cut it directly, rather than using a tape measure. All components work together to create a watertight seal. Care should be taken to follow the assembly procedures recommended by the manufacturer. Support your CPVC lines every 32 to 36 in. Start by inserting the internal fitting into the tube. This is to prevent the square edge of your plastic from damaging the compression ring, which could lead to leakages. Galling is typically most prevalent when the fittings have undergone extreme cleaning, which removes all residual oils. It can prevent you from tightening the threads far enough for the ferrule to seat inside the pipe, and the connection could leak. 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how to install a compression fitting on plastic tubing