2 Mistakes To Avoid When Choosing Fittings For An Upcoming DIY Plumbing Project
After discovering that you have several damaged pipes in your home, you may have decided to replace them yourself. Since the fittings still look like they are intact and appear to be in fairly good condition, you may be tempted to reuse them.
However, reusing fittings is not a good idea when replacing pipes in your house since removing them can weaken or break the threads, making the fittings more likely to leak. Along with this mistake, there are a couple of others that you should avoid when choosing new fittings for your upcoming DIY plumbing project that involves installing new pipes.
1. Attempting to Use Fittings Made from a Material That Is Not Compatible with the Pipes’ Material
One mistake that you need to avoid when choosing new fittings for your plumbing project is selecting ones made from a material that is not compatible with the pipes. You may believe that it does not matter, and as long as the fittings screw on tightly, you can use whatever material you desire.
However, even if the fit seems secure, placing fittings on pipes made from the wrong material will result in leaks. For example, steel fittings should never go on copper pipes since the weight and composition of the metal will crush the pipes' ends.
2. Neglecting to Make Note of the Threads on Fittings and Pipes When Choosing Each Piece
Another mistake that you should avoid when picking out fittings is neglecting to note the threads on both the fittings and the pipes. When it comes to plumbing, some fittings have either male or female threads, with the former having threads on the outside and the latter on the inside.
Even if you make sure that a female fitting fits the male threads on the pipe, you also need to make sure that the threads are going the right way. If you select fittings with reverse threads for pipes that have standard threads, you will strip them, making a secure fit impossible.
When choosing the fittings for an upcoming plumbing project, make sure you only use ones made from materials that are compatible with your pipes. You also need to make sure you pay attention to the threads needed, such as whether the pipes need male or female threads as well as ensure the threads are standard or reversed. For further assistance with choosing fittings and other required pieces, contact a plumbing parts supply company near you to speak with a representative.
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