Brass fittings are among the most popular types of connectors used in modern plumbing systems. They come in various shapes and sizes and are used to connect, regulate and direct the flow of fluid in piping systems.
Suppose you are performing plumbing project maintenance or remodeling. In that case, you might notice that there are chances for PVC to connect with brass fittings. Normally, it will be the PVC fittings connected to a brass pipe, but there are still possibilities for connecting brass pipe fittings to a PVC pipe. PlumbingSell offers a wide range of brass fittings for you to choose from. In this article, we will cover the common types of brass fittings used in plumbing systems, as well as how you could use brass plumbing fittings on PVC pipes. This will help you to be more prepared when dealing with brass and PVC in your future projects.
Table of Contents
Brass Fittings Overview
Let’s start by understanding brass fittings. Brass is one of the most widely used materials for pipe fittings. It is an alloy of copper and zinc, and it is known for its durability, strength and resistance to corrosion. Brass pipe fittings are often the choice for both plumbers and DIY lovers, as they are durable, flexible and easy to install. They are normally used for carrying water, chemicals and other types of fluid for both residential and industrial plumbing systems.
Brass fittings can be made up solely of brass or combinations of brass and plastic parts. They usually come in a wide range of sizes and shapes to fulfill different requirements. And they have been used in a wide range of applications, from residential and commercial water lines to maritime usages. The main functions you might have seen that brass pipe fittings are capable of performing include redirecting the flow of fluid, controlling or regulating flow, connecting two pipes and more.
Types of Brass Fittings
Now that you know what brass fittings are, it’s time to go a bit further, understanding the main types of brass plumbing fittings. There are a lot of different kinds of brass plumbing fittings that you might need to use, and each of them has its own unique purpose. The wide selection is actually the reason for brass fittings are adaptable for the majority of plumbing projects. We’ll cover the most common ones here.
Brass Compression Fittings
Brass compression fittings are among the most popular types of connection fittings for plumbing applications. They are known for their ability to create leak-proof and secure connections without the requirement of soldering or welding. The fittings consist of a compression nut and sleeve, and when tightened, the fitting body compresses around the pipe.
Brass Tee Fittings
Brass tee fittings create a three-way connection, which means they can connect three pipes together in the piping system. They are a crucial component of the distribution system as they allow the fluid to be split or redirected in three ways. Brass Tee fittings are available in equal or reducing configurations, both threaded and welded varieties and a range of different sizes for you to select from.
Brass Elbow Fittings
Brass elbow fittings are used to change the direction of fluid in a plumbing piping system. The angles available are typically 45° or 90°, and there is a wide selection of different sizes. Brass Elbow Fittings are useful for providing flexible adjustments for rerouting around obstacles and changing the direction of flow.
Brass Coupling Fittings
Brass coupling fittings are used to join or connect two pipes of the same or different sizes. They also come in a wide range of sizes. For connecting pipes of the same diameter, you will look for a straight coupling, while for connecting pipes of different diameters, you should look for reducer couplings. Brass couplings provide a secure and tight fit for maintaining consistent fluid flow and pressure in the piping system.
Brass Cap and Plug Fittings
Both brass caps and plug fittings are used to seal the end of a piece of plumbing. The difference between them is that cap fittings are used to seal the pipe when it doesn’t need to connect to another. In contrast, plug fittings are used to seal the pipes temporarily. Brass cap fittings are available in different types, and they can be either threaded or welded. Brass plug fittings are used more for maintenance purposes, as they can isolate a certain section for inspection or repair.
Brass Valves
Brass valves are also considered one type of brass plumbing fittings. They are used to control the flow of fluid within the plumbing system. Brass valve fittings come in various types, including ball valves, gate valves, check valves and more. Each has a different function, such as on/off control or adjustment in flow rates. Brass valve fittings are durable and safe to use for potable water, and they are also resistant to corrosion.
Now that you have a better understanding of the different types of brass fittings, you can choose the right ones for your needs in our EFIELD brass fittings collection. If you are still not sure which fitting to use, check out our latest article about the different types of pipe fittings.
Applications of Brass Fittings in PVC Systems
Brass fittings are essential components in PVC piping systems. They provide secure and durable connections between PVC pipes and other materials like copper, PEX and more. Although PVC pipes are a popular choice because they are budget-friendly and easy to install, brass fittings are still required for specialized functions. For example, suppose you are trying to swap from a PVC piping system to a brass piping system. Then, brass fittings are your must-haves for connecting existing PVC pipes to newly added copper pipes.
As both PVC and brass are considered corrosion-resistant materials, they are commonly used together for water supply lines or gas distribution systems. All types of brass fittings are commonly used in PVC systems to help ensure a leak-proof, corrosion-resistant and durable piping system.
How to Glue Brass Fittings to PVC Pipe
It is always recommended to use similar materials within one piping system as the connection between them tends to be easier. However, connecting PVC pipes to brass fittings is still a crucial need for some plumbing systems, especially for transitioning between different materials in water supply lines.
Since PVC and brass have different properties, they cannot be glued together directly like standardized PVC connections. To glue brass fittings to PVC pipe, brass threaded adapters or brass compression fittings have to be used as a medium. We’ll provide a simple guide for you to follow for connecting brass threaded fittings to PVC pipes.
Steps for threaded connections:
- Prepare PVC pipes and brass fittings – Use the cutter to cut the PVC pipe to the required length and deburr the edges to prevent any damage when inserting it into the fittings.
- PVC primer and cement (glue PVC pipes and adapters) – Apply PVC primer to the outside of the PVC pipe and the inside of the PVC adapter to remove contaminants and soften the pipe’s surface. After the priming process, apply PVC cement to both pipes and adapter and join them together.
- Thread brass fitting – Screw a threaded PVC female adapter onto the male threaded end of the brass pipe. You can also use Teflon tape on the male threads of the brass fittings to help prevent leaks. When using the wrench to tighten the fittings, avoid over-tightening; otherwise, it could cause PVC to crack.
- Check for leaks – Always remember to test the system for leaks no matter what kind of installation you make. Simply turn on the water supply and check if there are any signs of water dripping.
Conclusion
Brass fittings are one of the most commonly seen types of fittings in nowadays plumbing industry. They are durable, secure, leak-proof and resistant to corrosion. Now that you are familiar with the different types of brass fittings and their functions, you will become more comfortable working with them for a wide range of plumbing projects.
Although gluing brass fittings onto a PVC pipe is not directly applicable because of the difference in the materials, there are still effective ways for connecting these two components. We recommend using brass threaded fittings for a more secure and long-lasting connection. With the right tools and techniques, working with brass fittings and PVC pipes will not be as hard as you may imagine. Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or a professional plumber, PlumbingSell gets what you are looking for in your plumbing project.
