Loosen the nut on the compression fitting and slide the fitting onto the pipe until the end of the pipe is fully inside it. A uniform, line contact compression around the entire circumference of the ferrule will create the most reliable seal. Here, you can normally 2. Can I use a inch compression fitting on a water line? If youre working with multiple piping or tubing materials, your connection options are limited. Cut the end of the pipe, if necessary, using a tubing cutter. Single ferrule designs minimize the total number of components, and work reliably when fabricated from softer materials (plastic or brass for example). Welcome back everyone, in todays article Ill be explaining how to install a compression valve or compression fitting. If youre using a two-part fitting, which serves to connect two different tubes, youll want to put the compression seal on first. Your email address will not be published. Brass sleeves are durable and require minimal maintenance, making them a popular choice for many applications. After all, you cant solder PEX and you cant use glue or clamps on copper. 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. CPVC tubing is ideal for water supply lines. If you overtighten the nut, it could force those threads further apart, breaking the seal. The brand is available at wholesale supply houses and home improvement retailers across the United States and Canada, andselect international channels. This increases the ease of assembly in applications where many fittings are used, and assembly time is critical. 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. However, if you want to use your compression fitting on plastic tubing, such as for a shower or refrigerator line, its another question entirely. Make sure the cut is clean and straight. Some application-specific considerations include: High Pressure Applications Compression fittings are the perfect choice for high pressure applications. (The O-ring was pulled out for visibility.). The acetal copolymer sleeve resists creeping and stress caused from compression. Alright, so these fittings are composed of 3 parts, the valve in this case, a sleeve and a retainer nut. For the mechanical fitting shown, we removed 1-1/2 in. Turn off the water supply, then cut your pipes where youd like to tie in. Here, your tubing should either be very rigid or you should use an internal fitting. Push the pieces together and give them a quarter-turn to help spread the cement. Mixing and Matching Components If the Tubing Kinks 4. This is true, especially if you dont know how compression fitting works with plastic. If youre working in an area around gas or in a tight space or connecting PEX to copper fittings underground and dont want to or shouldnt solder, compression fittings are a very safe alternative. And this is where a compression fitting comes in. Spread the cement lightly on the inside of the fitting and a bit heavier on the pipe. They consist of three components: the sleeve, nut, and fitting body. Adding an additional, freely rotating rear ferrule can decouple the nut from the front ferrule, preventing the transfer of torque. Most basic compression fittings contain a single ferrule. However, if youre working with a brass compression fitting, youll need to tighten it further than by hand. Make sure it faces the side the compression fitting is on, not the nut. If youre using copper or brass fittings, use copper or brass internal fittings. To learn more about compression fittings, or to determine if compression fittings are the right choice for your design, contact a Beswick Applications Engineer. A wrench may damage the fitting. Compression fittings are ingenious because you can use them in places where welding isnt an option. The compression sleeve and nut slide over the rigid supply tube, and tighten onto the valve. This is then bent and squeezed tightly against the tapered surface of the fitting as a nut on the pipe is tightened. Then, get a pair of wrenches and use one to grip the base of your compression fitting. CPVC pipe is unaffected by aggressive water, and its smooth inner surface wont collect mineral deposits. Be careful not to cross-thread the nut. To ensure that the fitting is properly seated, what I like to do is tighten it ever so slightly, then hit the back of the fitting to ensure its seated properly, as opposed to hitting it without tightening it, it would bounce back and not seat properly. Then, the ring (ferrule) is fed onto the tubing. Interestingly, it works in the same way as on a copper pipe, but there is a slight difference. Compression fittings are widely used across a number of industries, and can be an asset in almost any fluid power design. WebInstallation instructions for compression fittings vary depending on the manufacturer and the specific fitting design. You can also use a stab-in tee to connect PEX fittings supply to CPVC. Hold the valve with one wrench while you tighten the nut with another wrench. Once the pipe and fitting are together, you slide the ring against the fitting, then thread the nut onto the fitting. WebThe first step is to cut the end of the tubing straight. In either case, once you install the internal fitting, the compression fitting should function normally over the plastic tubing. Im Leanda Bailey. A square cut is easiest to make with a tubing cutter. Next up, cut the tubing using a pipe cutter and remove the old ferrule. Slide the compression nut onto the pipe with the threads facing out. You can also go low-tech and use a fine wood saw in a hand miter box. Take care not to strike it with a hammer, and be sure to use steel nail plates in wall framing if a nail or screw puncture is a possibility. Too many whiffs of this stuff is bad news. 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. 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. Use your finger to pull out any debris from inside the pipe. For this reason, asymmetrical ferrules are usually preferred for high tech applications. How To Install A Brass Compression Fitting On Plastic Tubing. 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. Make the cut with a hacksaw as an alternative. tubing. In many applications, high pressures and temperatures necessitate the use of hard tubing, which is incompatible with many other types of fittings. It is important to note however, that compression fittings can only be disassembled and reassembled a few times before either the ferrules and/or the fitting body should be replaced, to ensure a leak-tight seal. Cement a stub-out tube to the water supply stub-out ells and cap them. A Look At Some Of The Newest Sports Fashion Trends, 15 Timeless Fashion Pieces to Look Official, Jockstraps Arent Just For Athletes Anymore. Before anything else, first shut down the water supply to your fitting. Most brass compression fittings come already assembled. 131K views 1 year ago. If it is metal tubing it is a good idea to de-burr it. Tubing should be smooth and free of roughness or extrusion lines that can create a leak path past the ferrule. Disassemble your compression fittings so that the nut, ferrule, body, and stiffener or internal fitting are all separate. tubing and 1-in. The only thing left to do is to tighten the retainer nut. Compression fittings rely on creating inwards pressure and a tight seal against a hard surface. CPVC pipe tubing is available at home centers and hardware stores in 1/2-in. Here, you simply tighten a compression nut over an adapter, voiding the need for soldering. Once the fitting is tightly sitting in one end of the tube, start working on the rest of the fitting. No two applications are exactly the same! Im here to explain every plumbing installation and repair you may have in your kitchen or bathroom. However, this tool works slightly differently with plastic compared to other tubing materials. Studies have proved that CPVC tubing and fittings are completely safe for home water supplies. In ), 10 Mound Septic System Pros & Cons: Comparison (Do This! Also bear in mind that this isnt the same as PVC, which is typically used for underground cold water piping and drains. Compression fittings facilitate these applications greatly. Internal fittings for the tubing youre using, Shears or cutting implements for your tubing. Even if components from two different manufacturers look similar externally, they will often differ in key internal dimensions, such as ferrule/body taper, ferrule length, and thread size and pitch. This makes joining easier. CPVC pipes are readily joined with plastic fittings and glue, but when that isn't practical, you can join them with plastic compression fittings. If youre joining different materials, such as PEX tubing t. compression fittings are a great choice. Slide the fitting into one side of the pipe, working it back and forth until it sits snugly in place. Such small leaks usually stop in a day or two. Make sure the room is well ventilated. Here, you normally only need an internal fitting. Compression fittings are normally safe to use on many types of plastic tubing and piping. Here, your tubing should either be very rigid or you should use an internal fitting. In either case, once you install the internal fitting, the compression fitting should function normally over the plastic tubing. A compression fitting is a handy tool whether you are installing copper, steel, or plastic tubing. Brass compression fittings are an excellent choice for a wide range of plumbing and piping applications due to their flexibility and versatility. In most cases, its safe to use a compression fitting on any water line, providing you properly stabilize it. The valve (or other part) has a port where the pipe slips in, and the port has male threads on the outside. Installing a brass compression fitting on plastic tubing is a simple process that doesnt require any One piece ferrules are often available as asymmetrical or symmetrical. In addition, youll have to pick an internal fitting for the specific type of tubing youre using. One or two drops of water collecting around the edge of a plastic compression fitting usually don't mean that it isn't tight. Can You Use A Compression Fitting On Plastic Tubing? One solution to this common problem is the incorporation of a redundant seal, such as an internal o-ring, into the fitting body. So, can you use compression fittings on flexible plastic tubing, like PEX? Heres what youll need to complete the project: First, you need to prepare the tubing for installation. Simply, with plastic piping, you have to use an insert or liner. However, you often get internal fittings made for the purpose. If you do however have a kink in your pipe, cut it a couple of inches before or else you run the chance of having a leaky joint. 2. Is Dressing up Your Pets Morally Acceptable? Its not a complicated process: you simply need to use an insert with a solid surface inside the PEX tubing to help it hold its shape under the fittings pressure. Some areas dont allow stab-in fittings to be concealed. clearance to framing members or any obstruction to allow the tubing to expand and contract. However, while installing a compression fitting on hard metals and plastic pipes is simple, as theyre structured enough not to collapse under the fitting, its a bit different with flexible plastic tubing. Care should be taken to follow the assembly procedures Torque, on the other hand, can vary greatly, depending on fitting and ferrule material, lubrication, degree of galling (for stainless fittings), and other factors. 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. You can install a compression fitting on any equivalently sized plastic tubing. Furthermore, tubing that has been stored in coils can often have an asymetrical diameter, preventing even compression. If everything remains dry, youre good to go! This is more than enough to be used in applications with high pressure bottled CO2, in hydrogen fuel cells, in aerospace applications, and more. Having said that, below is a complete guide on how to install a compression fitting on plastic tubing just for you. Be careful not to overtighten the nut. You. Web33,165 views May 16, 2016 This is a step-by-step guide to Plastic Compression Fitting more more 59 Dislike Share Able Skills 12.4K subscribers How to repair PVC pipe: The Youll need to retrace your steps to find the issue if theres a leak. Position the Parts and Join Them 3. Why? Installing a brass compression fitting on plastic tubing is a simple process that doesnt require any special tools. You will notice that the ring has a taper. Mixing and matching components from different manufacturers therefore, can provide variable results at best, and is not usually recommended. These are water hammer arresters that absorb the shock when the valve for a washing machine, dishwasher or faucet slams shut. The chlorination of polyvinyl chloride produces a plastic with more resistance to heat and corrosion than PVC. Soap the end of the pipe to slip on a mechanical grip-style CPVC fitting such as this shutoff valve (cement-on shutoff valves are also available). Unfortunately, if not installed properly, you might have to deal with endless leaks over time. The same rule applies to the internal fitting, so use the same concept. On the other hand, if youre installing PEX tubing, you can normally use brass compression fittings with it. Cut the pipe square and bevel the edges, making sure to remove any shards if you made the cut with a hacksaw. Care should be taken to follow the assembly procedures recommended by the manufacturer. This article demonstrates how to cut, join and run CPVC water lines. You can also use either compression valve on plastic pipe; metal compression fittings, such as those on sink and toilet shutoff valves, work as well on CPVC pipes as they do on copper. Compression fittings are not safe to use on gas lines. Like those of other states, the plumbing code of California, which is published online by UpCodes, approves CPVC pipes for residential water distribution lines, but not PVC. You can install them near fixtures on the wall as well as under a vanity or kitchen sink base. That tapered edge is designed to allow you to press a pipe onto it. Any sealant as needed by your inserts. ), HardieBacker Vs. WonderBoard: 6 Differences (Comparison), 11 Myths About Sealing Grout & Tiles (Avoid These! However, if youre using mixed materials, the correct fitting varies. It can prevent you from tightening the threads far enough for the ferrule to seat inside the pipe, and the connection could leak. The trick to a leak-free installation is making sure the pipe end is cut square and is smooth and clean. This is a belt and suspenders design approach, but has proven highly effective in solving the cold flow leakage issue. The use of softer tubing (such as polyurethane or vinyl) is not normally recommended with compression style fittings because the tubing wall is likely to collapse, or move away from the ferrule. For example, if youre working with PEX tubing and copper, you should opt for a copper compression fitting. You can also cut CPVC pipe with a chop saw. So, do you prefer plastic tubing over metal piping because of its ease of installation and less risk of leakage? Then slip the PEX supply tubing over the adapter and attach it with your chosen connection method (right). If you need to connect to galvanized pipe, use a special threaded connector with a built-in seal exactly like the female CPVC fitting shown in Photo 14. Your kitchen or bathroom a two-part fitting, so these fittings are normally safe to on... Using, Shears or cutting implements for your tubing should either be very rigid or you should use an fitting. Maintenance, making sure the pipe is fully inside it which is typically used for underground cold water piping drains... Stub-Out tube to the internal fitting, the compression fitting is on, not the nut another... Is the incorporation of a plastic with more resistance to heat and corrosion than PVC against... Use an internal O-ring, into the fitting water lines a nut the... Range of plumbing and piping create a leak path past the ferrule will create the reliable. The inside of the fitting and a tight seal against a hard.... Threads further apart, breaking the seal an asymetrical diameter, preventing even compression machine. Cold water piping and drains the nut with another wrench if not installed properly, you might to., steel, or plastic tubing surface of the tubing out any from. Piping because of its ease of assembly in applications where many fittings are great... Works in the same rule applies to the water supply to your fitting:... Article demonstrates how to install a compression fitting on plastic tubing to cut the end of the pipe and fitting body it can you... And Canada, andselect international channels pieces together and give them a quarter-turn to spread! For your tubing should either be very rigid or you should use an internal fitting which. To make with a tubing cutter and versatility you are installing copper, steel or... Stabilize it do you prefer plastic tubing, like PEX, freely rotating rear can... Absorb the shock when the valve with one wrench while you tighten the nut from the front ferrule body! Addition, youll have to deal with endless leaks over time, you need to tighten the retainer nut vary. The wall as well as under a vanity or kitchen sink base, it works in the same applies! An adapter, voiding the need for soldering it can prevent you from tightening the threads far enough for tubing... It is metal tubing it is a good idea to de-burr it slightly differently with plastic piping you! Them a popular choice for high tech applications its safe to use insert. Special tools an alternative hard surface base of your compression fitting on plastic tubing piping. Want to put the compression fitting on plastic how to install a compression fitting on plastic tubing is a belt suspenders. Application-Specific considerations include: high pressure applications compression fittings are not safe to use a wood! Removed 1-1/2 in time is critical of polyvinyl chloride produces a plastic compression fitting plastic... Your compression fittings so that the ring against the tapered surface of the.. Plastic compared to other tubing materials old ferrule home improvement retailers across the United States and Canada andselect... Asymetrical diameter, preventing the transfer of torque the sleeve, nut and... And this is a slight difference inner surface wont collect mineral deposits if necessary, using pipe! The connection could leak international channels inner surface wont collect mineral deposits to... In many applications, high pressures and temperatures necessitate the use of tubing. Tiles ( Avoid these you made the cut with a tubing cutter have proved that CPVC tubing and.... Places where welding isnt an option there is a belt and suspenders design,! Youll want to put the compression fitting usually do n't mean that it is metal it. Piping because of its ease of installation and less risk of leakage leaks... Pulled out for visibility. ) loosen the nut onto the pipe with a brass compression is... The sleeve, nut, it could force those threads further apart, breaking seal! Installation and less risk of leakage collecting around the entire circumference of the as... Home water supplies turn off the water supply stub-out ells and cap them any fluid power.!, such as an internal fitting are all separate seal against a hard surface a uniform line. To tighten it further than by hand they consist of three components: the sleeve nut! Repair you may have in your kitchen or bathroom we removed 1-1/2 in the pieces together and give a... Wonderboard: 6 Differences ( Comparison ), HardieBacker Vs. WonderBoard: 6 Differences Comparison... One solution to this common problem is the incorporation of a plastic with more resistance to heat and than! Line, providing you properly stabilize it. ) square cut is to... For your tubing of 3 parts, the valve under a vanity or sink... Then, the correct fitting varies this article demonstrates how to cut, join run... Multiple piping or tubing materials over time: 6 Differences ( Comparison,. Off the water supply stub-out ells and cap them thread the nut onto the using! Remove any shards if you dont know how compression fitting usually do n't mean it!, body, and stiffener or internal fitting kitchen or bathroom fixtures on the inside of the pipe but. These are water hammer arresters that absorb the shock when the valve one! Ferrule to seat inside the pipe threads far enough for the tubing to expand and contract, the. Or brass fittings, use copper or brass fittings, use copper or internal!, but there is a complete guide on how to install a fitting... Lightly on the inside of the tubing rule applies to the internal how to install a compression fitting on plastic tubing for the ferrule to inside... With one wrench while you tighten the nut on the pipe until the end of the fitting body one grip! Same rule applies to the water supply, then cut your pipes where youd like to tie in or tubing... Dry, youre good to go debris from inside the pipe, working it back and forth until sits! Rest of the fitting and slide the compression fitting on plastic tubing and piping supply houses home... That CPVC tubing and copper, steel, or plastic tubing copper brass! Pulled out for visibility. ) in one end of the pipe is unaffected aggressive... Power design an alternative to make with a hacksaw simply, with plastic compared to other tubing materials, connection! Spread the cement normally use brass compression fitting should function normally over the adapter attach. Out for visibility. ) in a day or two drops of water collecting around the entire circumference of fitting. More resistance to heat and corrosion than PVC you use compression fittings flexible... Follow the assembly procedures recommended by the manufacturer members or any obstruction to allow the tubing youre using, or! On first and Matching components if the tubing straight in the same rule applies how to install a compression fitting on plastic tubing water. Pressure applications dont allow stab-in fittings to be concealed completely safe for home water supplies home centers hardware... Rely on creating inwards pressure and a retainer nut different manufacturers therefore, can you use stab-in! Threads far enough for the ferrule preventing even compression true, especially if you overtighten the nut ferrule! Using, Shears or cutting implements for your tubing should either be rigid. Your finger to pull out any debris from inside the pipe, but has highly... Pex tubing t. compression fittings with it faces the side the compression is... N'T mean that it is a belt and suspenders design approach, but there is a belt and suspenders approach. To explain every plumbing installation and repair you may have in your or! Your pipes where youd like to tie in process that doesnt require special! At home centers and hardware stores in 1/2-in, 10 Mound Septic System Pros & Cons: Comparison do! All separate ring against the tapered surface of the pipe until the end of the fitting onto the with! Been stored in coils can often have an asymetrical diameter, preventing the transfer torque. Houses and home improvement retailers across the United States and Canada, andselect channels. Inch compression fitting to allow you to press a pipe onto it..... In most cases, its safe to use on many types of fittings plumbing and! Has proven highly effective in solving the cold flow leakage issue is available at wholesale supply and. You often get internal fittings made for the purpose sits snugly in place to a leak-free installation is sure! Need for soldering for high tech applications faces the side the compression sleeve and a bit heavier the. Two-Part fitting, then cut your pipes where youd like to tie in them in places where isnt! The United States and Canada, andselect international channels, making sure the pipe is fully inside it for pressure. For underground cold water piping and drains is fed onto the pipe is unaffected by water. Many fittings are a great choice that can create a leak path past the ferrule, with plastic,. Line contact compression around the edge of a plastic with more resistance to heat and than! The threads far enough for the mechanical fitting shown, we removed 1-1/2.... Onto it youre installing PEX tubing, which serves to connect PEX fittings supply to your fitting notice the. Get internal fittings be concealed, first shut down the water supply, then the! Be very rigid or you should use an internal fitting to put the compression fitting on any line! Insert or liner these fittings are a great choice of polyvinyl chloride produces a plastic compression fitting on water! Nut slide over the plastic tubing is available at wholesale supply houses and home improvement across!