Water fittings

In which types are water connectors available?

Water connectors come in the following types:

• Tee fittings — These are used to connect together three pieces of pipe. They can be T shaped and connect or divide the flow at 90 degrees, or Y shaped. In the latter case, they are usually used to connect lines at 45 degrees. 
• Cross fittings — These have four openings for pipes. They can be one inlet and three outlets or three inlets and one outlet (depending on the need). Cross fittings are not so popular. They are mainly used for irrigation and sprinklers. 
• Elbows — They change the direction of flow between two pipes. They most commonly have angles of 90, 60, 45, and 22 degrees and are used to make a turn. They can be connected together to effectively move around obstructions in the line of the pipeline.
• Couplers and adaptors — Couplers enter the surface of two pipes to connect them (usually permanently). Sometimes they also take the form of a reducer, meaning that they reduce the flow by connecting a larger pipe to a smaller one. Adaptors, on the other hand, are used to connect two types of pipe. They can be fitted to the end of a regular pipe, for example, to allow connection to a threaded pipe.
• Sleeve reducers — These are used to connect two pipes of different sizes. 
• Pipe joints — These are similar to couplers in that they connect two of the same pipe. However, they differ in construction. In pipe joints, the nut or threaded ring in the centre is tightened to connect two pipes. Therefore, it only needs to be loosened to disconnect them. The coupler must be cut or unscrewed in its entirety. 
• End caps — These enter the end of a pipe to stop the flow of water or gas. They are suitable for both a permanent point of termination of a pipe or to temporarily shut off the supply during a plumbing project. 
• Plugs — Similar to end caps, plugs are used to seal holes in installations. The difference, however, is that the plug enters the threaded hole of the pipe, whereas the cap is applied to the pipe. The plugs are primarily used in the cleanout areas for sewer systems. 
• Hosetails — Short sections of pipe that are externally threaded at each end. They are used to connect two pipe ends or fittings with female threads.

It is also worth noting that metal water connectors also come in several versions in terms of the method of installation. For the most popular options, you will have a choice of either weld-on fittings or screw-in fittings with threads.

What materials are used to make water connectors?

Water connectors are formed from a number of different materials, which you will choose depending on your intended use. We list each of them below:

• Cast iron water connectors — They are formed from galvanised cast iron (as standard) and are primarily used for installation in cold and hot water systems, as well as other non-aggressive liquids. They will also work well in steam, gas, and fire applications. 
• Brass water connectors — They are formed by casting or machining. They are used in many areas of industry, primarily in water, heating, fuel, and compressed air installations. 
• Stainless water connectors — They are formed from stainless (acid-resistant) steel. Thanks to their properties, they are widely used in many installations, e.g. water supply, chemical, and food products, air, steam, gases, etc.

However, you will find not only metal water connectors on the market. There are also plastic water connectors, which are primarily made of PVC and in some cases PE. Contrary to metal products, these are not suitable for transporting hot media.

How are water connectors assembled?

A water connector is assembled in a number of ways. This depends on the material, features, and function of the fitting being used. Connection methods include:

• 'push to connect' water fitting — It has a special O-ring and metal teeth on the inside so that it hooks up and gets a watertight connection in low pressure conditions. These are usually plastic water connectors (sometimes also copper).
• Threaded coupling — You screw it with another thread to make it airtight. The female parts are threaded on the inside and match the male connections (with threads on the outside).
• Welded fitting — Permanent, leak-proof pipe connections that are formed by welding around the seam of brass or copper fittings. 
• Sliding connector — This applies to plastic pipes and fittings with smooth walls that you can easily slip together. 
• Compression fitting — This has a threaded structure, a nut, and a sleeve that compresses the pieces of pipe together by compression for a tight connection. 
• Crimp fitting — You crimp it with a special mechanism when you insert it into the pipe.