Push fit fittings are normally used with plastic pipes, but they can also be used with copper pipes, making these copper pipe fittings ideal for when you only want to replace a section of your plumbing system.
How do they fit?
You might not think that plastic would easily fit onto a traditional copper pipe, but it’s actually quite a simple process. Push fit copper pipe fittings are available in the most usual widths of copper pipes – 15mm and 22mm – from many suppliers.
Push fit fittings have nuts on either side into which you push the pipe until it locks into place. The copper pipe needs to be lined up with the nut to gauge how much of it will be locked into the fitting before drawing a line in marker pen or pencil at the point where the fitting edge meets the pipe.
Unlike plastic pipes, you don’t need to use a pipe insert on any joint with copper as you can just push the pipe into it until you feel resistance. This usually happens quickly, as you hit the rubber ring inside which is there to form a watertight seal.
You may need to twist the pipe as you push it in to ensure it becomes fully sealed. As soon as the line you drew on the pipe disappears, you’ll know it’s in as far as it will go.
Help the Environment
Misconnections in domestic plumbing systems are thought to be responsible for causing pollution in local rivers and streams, but it doesn’t always mean that the whole plumbing system has to be taken out and replaced. You can use copper pipe fittings to ensure old copper piping is properly aligned and avoid leaks.
Finishing Touches
When the pipe is fully pushed into the new fitting, you simply turn the nut in a clockwise direction to lock it into place. If at any point you need to take the copper pipe out again, you can twist the nut the other way and pull it out.