Types of fittings for polypropylene pipes

To join sections of polypropylene pipes, various types of fittings are used. When laying communications in an apartment, you almost always have to do pipe bends, perform bends and branches. In addition, fittings help to connect metal and polypropylene sections of water supply or heating. Polypropylene pipes are a rather flexible and plastic construction. Therefore, many craftsmen prefer to make bends by heating the pipe and bending it by hand. Manufacturers do not recommend this. Any careless movement or excessive heat can lead to mechanical damage to the pipe. The best solution for such work is the use of fittings, since there are all types and sizes of these elements on the plumbing market.

Varieties

Types of compounds differ not only in shape and purpose, these elements have different sizes. With the selection of the diameter, problems usually do not arise, it is enough to at least visually estimate the size of the pipe and select a suitable connecting element to it. By the way, when installing water supply or heating in apartments, polypropylene pipes with a diameter of 50 millimeters are used. But the types of fittings can drive a layperson into a dead end. These elements fall into several categories:

• coupling;
• adapter;
• corner or tee;
• bypass;
• "American".

To know exactly what types of connecting elements you will need, you need to draw a preliminary diagram of the wiring of communications. This will help to find out where the corners or branches will be, and to get the necessary number of connecting elements.

The difficulty lies in the fact that beginners do not know which fitting is intended for what. Therefore, we decided to give a brief overview of these products.

Couplings

The easiest way to connect polypropylene structures. This product is made in the form of a small barrel, which interconnects parts of the water supply. This type of fitting is selected in strict accordance with the diameter of the pipe. Otherwise, the integrity of the connection may be compromised or the throughput of the system may decrease.

Adapters

This kind of connecting elements is designed for joining polypropylene pipes of various diameters. Like the previous element, the adapter is made in the form of a barrel, only with a different section size at the ends. It is worth noting that there are adapters on sale, supplemented by external or internal thread. They are used mainly for the installation of heating risers.

Corners

This view is for corner joints. The use of corners allows you to mount the system without exposing the polypropylene pipe to heat and mechanical bending. This type of fittings may have different bending angles (45 or 90 degrees). In addition, the corners can be supplemented with thread, which makes it possible to install a mixer or connect plumbing.

Tees

Used to connect several elements to the main system. For example, when connecting to the water supply, the riser of the kitchen and bathroom. Tees can also be supplemented with thread, including for multi-diameter connections. It is worth noting that such fittings can be used when connecting polypropylene and metal pipes.

Contours

They simulate pipe bending and can be used to circumvent all kinds of obstacles. The contours usually have a minimal bend angle to make the angle sharper; many craftsmen “break” the product by hand. This is not recommended, polypropylene can burst, respectively, the product will have to be thrown away.

 "American"

This type of connection is the most popular among beginners and professional plumbers. The design is a threaded connection with a union nut. Such a scheme provides a fairly reliable, but at the same time simple junction. The advantage of the "American" is that during installation there is no need to rotate the joined elements. Tightening and dismounting the fitting is done with a union nut. This type is ideal for connecting pipes from various materials, and for connecting heating radiators.

Additional Information

Instead of a conclusion, I would like to clarify several nuances that may be important when connecting polypropylene pipes with fittings.

When choosing a fitting, select the goods in strict accordance with the diameter of the water supply. This information is usually found in pipe markings.

1. All fittings for polypropylene are not segregated for their intended purpose. In other words, they can equally be used for the installation of plumbing and heating systems.
2. When using threaded connections between the fitting and the pipe, the tightness of the structure suffers. To eliminate the possibility of leaks, it is recommended to seal the connection using FUM tape or linen thread.
3. Crimp fitting should be used with extreme caution. Inside the product there is a special ring, which, with excessive force, can cut through the polypropylene pipe. As a result, the integrity of the connection will be compromised.
4. Many plumbers reinforce the joints with rubber gaskets. This is done to ensure greater tightness. You need to know that rubber quickly deteriorates quite quickly under the influence of moisture or high temperature. Therefore, the best option is not to put a fitting and a rubber gasket, but simply to weld sections of a polypropylene pipe together. This will make the connection monolithic, and, accordingly, more reliable.