How to Use Compression Fittings

YOUR LINK HERE:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SqMVcKI8nPk

Compression fittings are used to make quick, easy connections with copper and plastic tubing. Mike is here to show us how to use them! • As always, you’ll want to make sure you have the size you need: compression fittings are sized by the outside diameter of the pipe they’re being connected to: a 5/8” OD length of tubing will use a 5/8” OD compression fitting. • The process is simple: the nut is slid onto the pipe, followed by the sleeve/ferrule. The fitting itself goes on next, as far as it will go. The nut and sleeve are slid up to meet the fitting, and the nut is tightened. When using plastic tubing, you need to use an “insert”, which goes inside the tubing and keeps it from collapsing from being compressed by the fitting. • Tightening the nut compresses the sleeve, creating the seal. Hand-tighten at first to ensure the fitting is threading properly. Follow this up with a smooth-jawed wrench (like a crescent wrench). We recommend tightening with the wrench until things are snug, then turning the water supply back on - if there’s a drip, go a quarter-turn at a time until the seal is complete. As always, don’t overtighten! Neither tape nor pipe dope is necessary with these fittings; their use can compromise the seal (dual-threaded fittings that have both a compression end and an IPS end are the exception: tape is fine on the IPS connection). • Nuts and sleeves that have already been used on a pipe can be reused - just be sure that you don’t overtighten the fitting: since the sleeve has already been seated and compressed itself into the tubing, it doesn’t need to be tightened as much on the second go-round. Hand-tighten, followed by a quarter-turn with wrench if necessary. • To browse our selection of compression fittings, visit https://www.plumbingsupply.com/compre...

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