Fitting

A fitting is a component used to connect, change direction, or terminate a pipe or tube run. Fittings are the connectors of the piping world — they join pipes together, turn corners, reduce diameter, and branch flow.

Common types

• Elbow: Changes the direction of the pipe — typically 90° or 45°. Available in threaded, soldered, solvent-welded, and push-fit versions.
• Tee: Connects three pipes at right angles. Used to branch a line — for example, splitting a water supply to feed two fixtures.
• Coupling: Joins two pipes of the same diameter in a straight line. A simple sleeve that screws, solders, or glues onto both pipe ends.
• Reducer: Connects two pipes of different diameters, transitioning from a larger to a smaller pipe (or vice versa). Concentric reducers keep the centreline aligned; eccentric reducers offset one side.
• Cap: Seals the end of a pipe. Used to close off unused branches or cap a pipe during pressure testing.
• Plug: Similar to a cap but designed for a threaded opening — screws into a female fitting to seal it.
• Street elbow (adapter elbow): An elbow with a male thread on one end and a female thread on the other, allowing direct connection to another fitting without a nipple.

Threaded vs. soldered vs. push-fit

• Threaded fittings screw together and are common in black iron, galvanised, and brass pipe.
• Soldered (sweat) fittings are copper-to-copper joints sealed with solder.
• Solvent-welded fittings use chemical cement to bond PVC and CPVC pipe.
• Push-fit (SharkBite) fittings use an O-ring and a grab ring for tool-free, instant connections.