The success of a plumbing project relies heavily on choosing the right fitting for the job. Get it wrong, and you’ll struggle with functional, aesthetic or cost issues that fail to meet your desired standards. But with different types of plumbing fittings available, how do you know which one to choose? Let’s take a closer look.
The types of fittings
Compression fittings are good for a watertight seal, particularly for domestic water systems where easy maintenance and assembly are needed. They are reusable, reliable and don’t need soldering or heat, but they can be bulky and need precise tightening.
Push-fit fittings are popular as they’re easy and quick to use. They simply lock into place and are great for DIY, tight spaces or temporary work. They’re also compatible with plastic or copper, but they aren’t suitable for high-temperature or high-pressure situations.
Solder rings are traditional types of copper pipe fittings found at https://watkinspowis.co.uk. They’re soldered with a blowtorch, making them great for high-pressure and permanent systems, where durable and long-lasting results are needed. But they’re not great for small spaces and require heat and skill.
Threaded fittings are found in commercial and older environments, such as gas lines or commercial plumbing and HVAC.
How to choose
Weigh up factors like the pipe material and compatibility, the temperature rating and pressure, the access and installation and the ease of maintenance required. For long-term commercial work, solder fittings are good. For small spaces and systems that later need modifying, push-fit fittings or compression fittings can be a great choice.