Key Questions
The following key questions are answered in this module:
What are the three types of water distribution piping?
The three types of water distribution piping are plastic, steel and copper. The most common connection methods used are gluing for plastic, threading for steel, and sweating or soldering for copper.
What are the three types of copper piping?
Type K has the greatest wall thickness of the three copper pipe types and is available in both solid and flexible piping. Type L is not as thick a Type K, but is often used in domestic plumbing applications where strength this required, such as underground. Type M has the thinnest wall thickness of the three types of copper pipe, and is often used in protected locations such as behind sheetrock.
What is the purpose of elbow fittings?
Elbows are simply used for a change of direction for the piping run. The most popular are 90, 45, and 22 ½ degrees. An elbow that changes from male to female or vice versa is called a street elbow or simply a street ell.
What can be an alternative method to the traditional sweating joining process?
An alternative method to the traditional sweating joining process is mechanical press fittings. In this process specialized fittings are attached to copper pipe by means of a press-on tool that applies pressure to the fitting making a permanent connection.
How would you prepare copper pipe for sweating?
To prepare copper pipe for sweating, the end of the pipe and inside of the fitting must be clean from foreign matter. Sandpaper or emery cloth is needed to clean and roughen up the pipe end. A wire brush used on the inside of the fitting accomplishes the same purpose.