PVC Connection Types: All You’ll Need To Know

Pipes and connectors are the most important components of the plumbing system. They convey water from the water source to your sink. Pipe connectors are required for a sewer system to function.

How many PVC pipe connection types are there?

PVC connectors come in two basic types.- plumbing grade connectors and furniture grade connectors. But if we go in deep, we can find 12 more connector types. They are- Adapters, bushings, couplings, unions, elbows, crosses, caps and plugs, flanges, nipples, tees, saddle tees, and wyes.

These were just the names of the connectors. If you want to know about their functions, you have to read till the end. 

What do you have to lose? Join us right away.

Basic PVC Connections

Fittings or PVC connectors, do exactly what their name implies: they connect the pipes. 

There are different types of PVC pipe connectors. They may all be divided into two groups:

1. Plumbing grade connectors
2. Furniture grade connectors

Plumbing Grade Connectors

Drainage and sewer systems both utilize plumbing grade connections. They can be found in both private and commercial settings.

They are professional when it comes to fundamental building. And popular because they’re inexpensive and can be found at most local hardware stores.

Furniture Grade Connectors

The real potential of PVC projects is demonstrated by furniture grade connections. They deviate from the basic concept of connections. In addition, they come in a range of forms and sizes.

These connectors can be found in hardware stores. But you’ll have to go to professional stores for the others.

If you’re struggling to find a good PVC brand, we have a few suggestions for you:

These are the best brands you can get out there. They are long-lasting and promising.

Common PVC Pipe Connector Types

PVC pipe connections come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Just like different types of PVC pipes. While some fits appear to be what you’d expect, others can be daunting.

Adapters

Adapters are used to increase the length of pipes. They can also be used to modify the kind of connection at the end of a pipe. The adapter for electric equipment is a good example. Adapters allow you to join together different varieties of PVC. 

Bushing

Pipes of various diameters are connected using bushings. They are usually threaded both inside and out. However, this isn’t always the case. Bushings take up far less area than a union or a coupling.

Caps and Plugs

Caps, as the name implies, cover the pipe’s terminus. To close the pipe, you place them over it. On the pipe, they can be cemented, threaded, or soldered.

Plugs serve the same role as caps, but they are installed inside the fitting. Because they’re threaded, you can keep utilizing the same pipe.

Couplings

A coupler is a device that extends the length of a pipe. It can also modify the pipe’s diameter. The connection is also known as a ‘bell reducer’. This is due to its bell-shaped shape.

Female threads are commonly seen in couplings, however, they can also be found unthreaded. Unthreaded pipes can be glued or soldered with copper if they are not threaded.

Couplings can be hard to have to clean. Although you can safely use bleach to clean PVC connectors and kill germs as well.

Elbows

The direction of the liquid flow is changed using elbows. They’re connections that are constructed at an angle, usually 90 or 45 degrees.

Some elbows are a little more unusual. Such as those that are 60 degrees or even 22.5 degrees. Threaded or sweated elbows are the two options. Male and female threads can be found on street elbows.

You can quickly connect different pipes or connectors this way. Elbows with a side outlet are available as well. They function similarly to a bent tee.

Flanges

Flanges are used to join pipes together. If you need to address PVC leaks, this is an excellent option. Pipes used with flanges are usually welded or threaded to the flanges.

Then you use bolts to secure them together. Flanges are often employed in industrial applications, particularly where high pressure is present.

People also use them in their homes for pump systems, usually in the bathroom.

Nipples

Nipples resemble short pipes, similar to stubs. On both ends, there are male threads. Two straight pipe runs are connected by nipples. Short nipples have a distinct appearance since they have threads running from one end to the other. 

To put it another way, the threading runs the length of the pipe. This enables them to maintain extremely tight contacts.

Tees

Tees are shaped like the Latin letter “T.” They aid in the connection of three or more pipes to maintain proper water flow.

In essence, it appears to be a lengthy coupling with an exit on one side. This outlet is at a 90-degree angle to the connector’s body. Its size is determined by the pipe’s diameter.

The side exit is located at the top of the fitting. And the ‘run’ is the straight-through component of the fitting. A ‘bull head’ connector is one where the tee’s run is shorter than the top.

Saddle Tees

You may need to immediately add a pipe or tee to an existing pipe. Saddle tees are the way to go in this situation. You may also search for them using the term ‘snap-tee.’ They’re an excellent way to connect an old PVC pipe with a new pipeline. That too without having to cut it. 

Saddle tees are commonly used in irrigation systems. You can easily add another sprinkler line this way. To finish this project, you’ll need to attach a saddle tee to the pipe. You just have to drill another hole after that and you are good to go.

Before dilling, you might want to choose the perfect drill bits. You can try considering between the m7 or m43 drill bits.

Crosses

Tees with two tops are known as crosses. You may link four PVC pipes with these.

They have fewer options and come in fewer fabrics than tees. As a result, many professionals choose to use multiple tees rather than a cross connector.

Unions

Unions and couplings are nearly identical. Threading pipes into unsoldered couplings are required. Professionals even employ dielectric unions to connect pipes composed of different metals.

Wyes

Wyes can be used to join drainage pipes. They have a 45-degree slant to them. The water flow is smoothed out by Wyes. This is not the same as tees, which are used to connect vertical drains. Flat horizontal pipes are connected by wyes.

There you go! These were all the PVC connection types existing out there. Most of these are made from a variety of piping materials. This includes ABS, brass, copper, malleable steel, stainless steel, and PVC.

Well yes, sometimes the joints leak. But that’s just an accident, right? And obviously, you can fix the leaking joints. So we guess, it’s not much of a headache.

FAQs

Question: Is there a range of dimensions for PVC pipe connectors?

Answer: PVC pipe connections come in a variety of sizes. Just as there are many different types of PVC pipe. PVC pipe connectors, like PVC pipes, employ a nominal sizing method.

Question: What’s the difference between GREY PVC and white PVC?

Answer: Grey PVC is used for electrical conduits because it is more resistant to sunlight. The fittings on this type of pipe are designed to pull wires into them. They are not meant to hold pressurized fluids. Both employ the same adhesives and solvents.

Question: Can I use Grey and White PVC together?

Answer: Yes, you can, but there are several key differences between the two PVCs. Gray PVC is not pressure rated, whereas white PVC is. White PVC is softer than gray PVC, allowing it to bend more easily.

Conclusion

We hope we could enlighten you with all the PVC connection types you were looking for. Let us know if we could benefit you. Share with us any problems that you face.

Till then, all the best!