Tee and Wye Fittings - Tees and wyes are used to connect three pieces of pipe. Tees can have one inlet and two outlets at 90-degree angles, in the shape of a 'T.' They are used to split a supply line, or they can combine two lines into one outlet. You often see tee fittings connected to potable water supply lines. A wye is shaped like a 'Y,' with the two inlets coming together at roughly 45 degrees into a single outlet in drain applications. Sanitary wyes allow wastewater to enter a drainpipe from the side. The second part of the 'Y' aligns with the pipe to allow sewer gases to vent upward.
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Cross Fittings - Crosses have four openings for pipes ' one inlet and three outlets, or three inlets and one outlet, depending on the need. These four-way fittings are less common and are used in some irrigation and sprinkler applications.
Elbow Fittings - Elbows change the direction of flow between two pipes. Common elbows have 90-, 60-, 45- and 22 1/2-degree bends and are used to make a turn. They can be joined together to move around obstructions in the pipe run.
Coupling and Adapter Fittings - Pipe couplers slip over the outside of two pipes to connect them, usually permanently. A coupling can be a reducer, or a reducing coupling. This means they reduce flow by joining a larger pipe to a smaller size. Adapters are used when connecting two pipes of different types. For example, an adapter could be fitted on the end of a plain pipe to allow a threaded connection at the other side of the adapter.
Bushing Fittings - Bushings, sometimes called reducer bushings, are used for connecting two pipes of different sizes. The larger diameter of the bushing fits inside of the larger pipe. The smaller pipe is then inserted into the smaller end of the bushing.
Union Fittings - Unions are similar to couplings in that they connect two similar pipes. With pipe unions, a nut or threaded ring in the middle of the fitting is tightened to join two pipes. It can be easily removed by loosening the ring to disconnect the pipes. However, a coupling must be cut out to disconnect.
Trap Fittings - Traps are the horizontal dips or bends in drainage pipes found underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks.
They are shaped like a 'U' or sideways 'P' and serve two purposes. First, drain water is trapped in the arc to create a barrier that prevents sewer gases from rising into the home. Traps also catch debris to avoid clogging farther down the drainage system.
Flange Fittings - A flange is a flat, round fitting that creates a tight seal with bolts or clamps. They are used when pipes pass through walls, ceilings and floors. The most common flange for DIY plumbers is the closet flange, or toilet flange. This is what secures a toilet to the floor and also connects the toilet drain to the drain pipe.
Cap Fittings - A cap fits over the end of a pipe to stop the flow of water or gas. These fittings can be used for the permanent termination point of a pipe. Or they're used temporarily to cut off supply during a plumbing project.
Plug Fittings - These are plugs used at the end of a pipe to seal the opening, similar to a cap. The difference is that a plug fits into the threaded pipe opening to make the seal, while caps fit over the opening. They are commonly found at cleanout locations for sewer systems.
Nipple Fittings - Nipples are short sections of pipe that are male-threaded at each end. They are used for connecting two female-threaded pipe ends or fittings.
While not flashy or exciting, pipe fittings are crucial to the success of plumbing systems. This is because they allow pipes to connect to form a cohesive setup. Without fittings, pipes would be unable to form a seal with each other, and liquids would not be able to flow to your faucets and fixtures. Thousands of combinations of pipe sizes, materials, and thread types demand a need for thousands of types of pipe fittings. In this article, you can learn about the most popular types of pipe fittings used in household plumbing systems, the materials used to make them, and tips on how to select the right fitting for your system.
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Pipe fittings are used to join plumbing components to allow for many types of configurations. They are used to either extend or change the direction of flow in a plumbing system. Pipe fittings are available in many different sizes and materials, allowing compatibility with many different types and sizes of pipe. Within a plumbing system, a pipe fitting can change the direction of the flow of liquid, extend the length of a pipe run, or change the flow rate of liquids or gases. The material, size, and type of fitting a system requires is determined by the pipe size, pipe material, the liquids used in the system, and the pressures within and outside of the system.
Many types of pipe fittings are used in plumbing systems, but some are used more often than others. We include some of the most popular types of fittings below. For an all-encompassing look at pipe fitting types and terms, refer to our pipe fitting glossary.
Pipe fittings, just like pipes, are made from a wide array of materials. The materials used in a fitting must be compatible with the material of the pipes it is connecting. As a result, fittings are made from many of the same materials as pipes. Some of the most common materials used for pipe fittings include PVC, CPVC, copper, steel, brass, ABS, HDPE, and polypropylene. When selecting the material for your pipe fitting, ensure it can handle the temperatures, liquids or gases, and pressures within your system.
When choosing a pipe fitting for your application, you must focus on three details of your pipes: their materials, sizes, and fitting standards.
The material of your pipe fitting must be compatible with the material of your pipes. As a general rule, the same material should be used for both the pipe fitting and the pipe it is connected to. This ensures that both components are well suited for the application they are used for. In cases where pipes of different materials must be connected, transition fittings are used. These fittings contain one material on one end and a different material on the other. This allows for pipes of different materials to integrate seamlessly as long as the materials are compatible with the application they are used for.
The size of fittings is an obviously important factor in selecting the correct fittings for your system. Without precise sizing, there will be no seal, and the system will not function properly. If you need to connect two pipes or fittings of different sizes or standards, there is an adapter fitting that will suit your needs. Read below to learn more about how pipe fittings are measured.
Learn more: How to determine pipe thread type and size
Pipe fitting standards are determined by a governing body to determine how pipes and fittings join together. Some of the most common pipe standards include NPT, NPTF, BSPT, BSPP, SAE, UN, and UNF. Because these standards are determined by governing bodies, they differ based on location. For example, NPT (National Pipe Thread) is the most popular US standard for tapered thread fittings. BSP (British Standard Pipe), on the other hand, is the popular standard in Great Britain, Australia, and the commonwealth countries.
The standard of fitting you need is determined by the standard of your pipes. When connecting pipes of two different standards, use an adapter fitting that is suited to your pipes' respective sizes and standards.
Learn more: Common pipe thread types
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