Many of the homes and other buildings in the US have plastic pipes and related fittings which are rated and certified by the American Society for Testing and Material. Plastic pipes perform quite well with pressurized applications like drinking water, irrigation and hot and cold water distribution systems in buildings. They are also used in non-pressurized applications like sewage lines, storm and drainage systems. Older buildings still have steel or iron pipes which used to drain, vent and waste systems. These played an important role in removing grey water from the home as well as prevent the flow of sewer gases back in to the home. The most commonly used pipes in homes these days are made of PVC and copper which are easy to install, strong and last for years.
Types of Fittings:
Before one gets involved in any plumbing projects, it is important to know the different kinds of pipes and pipe fittings in home that are used to transport water into and waste out of a structure. Pipes and fittings are available in different materials – stainless steel, PVC and copper are most commonly available.
· Couplings are fittings that are used to join straight pipes. The transition from larger to smaller pipes can be made using reducers. It pays to know whether one can do a coupling with a stop, without a stop and reducing couplings and the repairs can be done by the homeowner.
· Elbows or L pipes are known as bend fittings and available in 90° or 45°, depending on the job requirements.
· Caps and Plugs are used to plug up or stop water flow in specific areas. Pipes can be cut at the end of a run and a plug or cap adhered or screwed on to stop water flow.
· Tees are fittings that resemble the letter T. These are available in straight as well as reducing fittings. They are used at junctions.
· Nipples are fittings which one can find in the hardware section. This fitting is shorter than 12 inches and both ends are threaded to make connecting easy.
· Unions are fittings that help in the disassembling of threaded pipes. These are typically used in repairing appliances like washing machines and water heaters.
· DWV Fittings or drain-waste-vents are designed to be different in looks and function from regular pipe fittings. These pipes are designed to use gravity to help the process of moving waste out of a building – they have gentle curves which help to move grey water and gases away from the house into septic tanks and into the municipal drainage system.
· Bends are akin to elbow joints which are used with DWV pipes. These are used to change the direction in which drain water usually flows – about 1/16 of 360 degrees. Bends are available in 1/6, 1/5 and even ¼.
Male and female fittings, socket, plain end bell, ribs and clamp ends are among the number of others that one can find on the market. It is important to have the right ones to ensure that the job is done right and strong enough to hold up for the pipes and materials that have to be channeled into or out of a building. It is also important to know whether one has to join pipes or repair existing pipes without digging up the entire network of pipes. Large retailers usually have all the parts for a job but special fittings can be sourced only from a plumbing retailer. Pipe fittings vary in cost, purpose and material too. With few exceptions, PVC fittings usually cost the least. Stainless steel fittings are a little more expensive, while specialized fittings can cost $80 or more depending on the job.