Plumbing Equipment and Materials Pipes and Fittings
You're tired of calling the plumber for that leaky sink or backed up tub, and spending a gazillion dollars for what seems like a simple tweak of the wrench or twist of the snake? These folks are experts, so before giving a quick tweak that could turn that annoying drip into a disastrous deluge, study up. Check out a
tools to get the job done efficiently.
Materials
We've all heard these terms, but what do they mean?
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PVC pipes are rigid plastic pipes with a thick wall to handle municipal pressure; should be used for cold water only.
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CPVC pipes can be used for either hot or cold water.
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Copper Tubing resists corrosion and bacterial growth, and so can be used for transporting hot tap water.
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Galvanized Steel Pipes have been treated with layer of zinc to prevent corrosion, not as popular in today's home building.
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Brass Pipes are made from an alloy of copper and zinc, and does not rust or corrode as quickly as steel.
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Caulk seals spaces where fixtures and tiles are connected.
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Pipe Fittings connect straight pipe or tubing sections to regulate flow.
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Elbows allow change in direction of the fluid flow, typically 90 or 40 degrees.
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Street Elbows have a female fitting on one end and a male fitting on the other, and thus can be connected to another fitting without use of a nipple.
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Tees combine or split fluid flow.
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Reducing Tees is a specific type of Tee that reduces outlet flow.
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Crosses have one inlet and three outlets or vice versa, and are common in sprinkling systems.
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Pipe Caps cover the end of pipes to halt liquid flow, with female threads to fit tightly over the pipe end.
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Pipe Plugs fit inside the end of pipes to halt liquid flow, with male threads to fit tightly inside the pipe end.
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Nipples are short stub pipes with two male ends to connect pipes and hoses.
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Hose Barbs connect pipes to hoses.
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Flanges are fittings with a raised lip or rim.
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Closet Flanges are the drain pipes to which toilets are attached.
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Male describe the ends of the fittings that mate with each other, the female connecter fitting around the male connecter.
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