What is the most common plumbing fitting?

Author: Mr. Emory Cummerata I  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Tee fittings get their name from their resemblance to the letter “T”. These fittings are one of the most common types of pipe fittings you will find in plumbing systems. This is because tee fittings are versatile and easy to manufacture. Tee fittings can be used to divert, merge, or redirect flow in a plumbing system.

What is the most common pipe fitting?

Tee fittings are the most common type of pipe fitting. They are T-shaped components with one inlet and two outlets at 90-degree angles, used to split one supply line into two or join two lines into one.

What type of fittings do plumbers use?

Brass or bronze fittings are common in copper piping and plumbing systems. Fire resistance, earthquake resistance, mechanical ruggedness, theft resistance, and other factors also influence the choice of pipe and fitting materials.

What is a standard used in pipe fittings?

The most relevant stainless steel pipe fittings standards are ANSI B1. 20.1 and ASTM A351. ANSI B1. 20.1 provides the considerations when categorizing pipe fittings by dimension, while ASTM A351 defines the materials and castings used within pipe fittings.

What is the most common tool used by plumbers?

Pipe Wrenches

One type of adjustable wrench is a pipe wrench, the workhorse of a plumber's toolkit. Available in various sizes, they are designed to grip and turn pipes and fittings. Their adjustable jaws provide a strong grip and make loosening or tightening threaded pipes a breeze.

Every Type of Plumbing Fitting EXPLAINED

Which 5 tools are most common to plumbing?

Standard plumbing tools include plungers, hacksaws, cutters, pliers, augers, and wrenches. Exploring the right materials for your specialization is also essential in developing your plumbing business. Choosing the suitable materials depends on the particulars of the job at hand.

Which trap is most commonly used with plumbing fixtures?

Every sink, bathroom fixture, and drain line in a home is equipped with a P-trap, making them a universal and essential component of the modern plumbing infrastructure.

What is the code for pipe fittings?

HS Code 7307 | Harmonized System Code of TUBE OR PIPE FITTINGS (FOR EXAMPLE, COUPLINGS, ELBOWS, SLEEVES), OF IRON OR STEEL.

What are standard plumbing fixtures?

Fixtures include components like faucets and sinks, toilets, showerheads, and bathtubs. Other fixtures include showers, and less commonly in the U.S., bidets. The kitchen tap is also a plumbing fixture.

What are the three types of pipe fittings?

Couplings: Used to join two straight pieces of pipe of the same diameter. Reducers: Used to join pipes of different diameters. Makes a gradual change in diameter. Bushings: Used to make the diameter of a pipe fitting smaller.

Which pipe fittings are best?

Common materials used in best plumbing pipe fittings include PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride), copper, brass, and stainless steel. PVC is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and ideal for cold water systems. CPVC can withstand higher temperatures, making it suitable for hot water systems.

What is the difference between a plumbing fixture and a plumbing fitting?

Unlike fixtures, fittings are removable accessories. They can be easily changed, which allows you to update your bathroom depending on your current style. Fittings include faucets, shower heads, towel racks, and mirrors. These items complement fixtures, providing added functionality and aesthetic appeal.

What do plumbers use to connect pipes?

A pipe fitting is used in plumbing systems to join multiple pipes of the same size or different sizes. Fittings are connected to threaded end of pipes. We use pipes running over long length for carrying fluids.

What is the most common plumbing pipe?

Copper and PEX are the most common pipe materials used in homes. Copper pipes are durable, corrosion-resistant, and can be used for hot and cold water. PEX seems to be replacing copper pipes at a high rate since it is less expensive, more flexible, and easier to install.

What is the difference between a reducer and a coupling?

Both reducing couplings and concentric reducers enable transitions from a larger pipe to a smaller one (and vice versa). The main difference is that couplings are narrower, the transition is quicker, and fewer parts are involved.

How to match plumbing fittings?

Consider the size, thread type, and pressure/temperature ratings of the fittings to match the galvanized steel pipes accurately. PEX: PEX pipes often use push-fit or compression fittings made of brass or other compatible materials. Ensure that the fittings are suitable for PEX connections.

What are the basic plumbing fixtures?

Ten Most Important Plumbing Fixtures
  • Faucets. Faucets are decorative plumbing fixtures commonly used inside homes. ...
  • Sinks. Sinks are the most used features in homes, as every kitchen and bathroom requires one. ...
  • Showers. ...
  • Bathtubs. ...
  • Toilets. ...
  • Water Heaters. ...
  • Sump Pumps. ...
  • Garbage Disposals.

What are the three types of fixtures?

The Most Common Types of Fixtures Used in Manufacturing
  • Turning Fixtures. They are usually mounted on chucks of the machine spindle during turning operations, like on lathes. ...
  • Milling Fixtures. ...
  • Boring Fixtures. ...
  • Grinding Fixtures. ...
  • Tapping Fixtures. ...
  • Indexing Fixtures. ...
  • Welding Fixtures. ...
  • Duplex Fixtures.

How do I know what size pipe fitting I need?

Wrap a string around the pipe (if it's a male thread) and mark where the string touches. Determine the length between the end of the string and the touch point, which gives you its circumference. To get diameter, divide the circumference by pi (3.14159). You may need to convert decimal to fraction.

Which code is used for plumbing?

The National Standard Plumbing Code™ (NSPC)

The 2024 National Standard Plumbing Code–Illustrated provides the latest information about common materials, fixtures, devices and equipment systems used or installed in plumbing systems.

What size pipe is used in plumbing?

PVC pipe sizes are available in 20mm, 25mm, 32mm, 40mm, 50mm, 63mm, 75mm, 90mm, 110mm, 140mm, 160mm,200mm, 250mm and 315mm in different pressure classes like 2.5Kg, 4Kg, 6Kg, 10Kg & 15Kg. . Pipes are available in either solvent fit types or Rubber ring fit type in 3 mtr and 6 mtr lengths.

Does every plumbing fixture need a trap?

Every single fixture in a plumbing system has some sort of P-trap. And even though there's a certain artistry to its curvy shape, it's not just an adornment. It performs a special function for the fixture it's connected to or 'serving'.

Why are S-traps illegal?

The “S” trap is prohibited under the Uniform Plumbing Code throughout the United States. This is because the “S” trap will siphon or suck water out from the trap which will end up releasing methane (sewer) gases into the home. So, it is a code violation and if you are doing remodeling, you will have to replace it.

Which trap is not commonly used in plumbing systems?

The S-Trap's Major Flaw

The “s” design could cause a water siphon, removing the water built up in the curve, opening the seal, and allowing sewer gas to pass through. This flaw is whys-traps are no longer allowed in plumbing code and should be replaced if you have one.

Previous article
What material absorbs the most scent?
Next article
Is it bad to never change the air filter?