Pipe Fittings, Valves & Accessories

Pipe fittings, also known as pipe connectors, attach one pipe to another in order to lengthen the run or change the flow direction in a plumbing system.

These are used to combine, divert or reduce the flow of the water supply, and they come in a variety of sizes to fit the pipe they will connect.

Tee, Wye, Cross and Elbow Fittings

Tee, Wye:
Tees and wyes are used to connect three pieces of pipe. Tees can have one inlet and two outlets at 90-degree angles in the shape of a "T" and are used to split a supply line, or they can combine two lines into one outlet. You often see tee fittings connected to potable water supply lines. A wye is shaped like a "Y" with the two inlets coming together at roughly 45-degrees into a single outlet in drain applications. Sanitary wyes allow wastewater to enter a drain pipe from the side, while the second part of the "Y" aligns with the pipe to allow sewer gases to vent upward.

Cross Fittings - Crosses have four openings for pipes-one inlet and three outlets or three inlets and one outlet depending on the need. These four-way fittings are less common and used in some irrigation and sprinkler applications.

Elbow Fittings - Elbows change the direction of flow between two pipes. Common elbows have 90-, 60-, 45- and 22 1/2- degree bends and are used to make a turn. They can be joined together to move around obstructions in the pipe run.

Coupling, Adapter, Bushing and Union Fittings

Coupling & Adapter Fittings - Pipe couplers slip over the outside of two pipes to connect them, usually permanently. A coupling can be a reducer, or reducing coupling, meaning they reduce flow by joining a larger pipe to a smaller size. Adapters are used when connecting two pipes of different types. For example, an adapter could be fitted on the end of a plain pipe to allow a threaded connection at the other side of the adapter.

Bushing Fittings - Bushings, sometimes called reducer bushings, are used for connecting two pipes of different sizes. The larger diameter of the bushing fits inside of the larger pipe. The smaller pipe is then inserted into the smaller end of the bushing.

Union Fittings - Unions are similar to couplings in that they connect two similar pipes. With pipe unions, a nut or threaded ring in the middle of the fitting is tightened to join two pipes. It can be easily removed by loosening the ring to disconnect the pipes, while a coupling must to be cut out to disconnect.

Cap, Plug and Nipple Fittings:

Cap Fittings - A cap fits over the end of a pipe to stop the flow of water or gas. These fittings can be used for the permanent termination point of a pipe or used temporarily to cut off supply during a plumbing project.

Plug Fittings - Plugs used at the end of a pipe to seal the opening, similar to a cap. The difference is that a plug fits into the threaded pipe opening to make the seal.

while caps fit over the opening. They are commonly found at cleanout locations for sewer systems.

Nipple Fittings - Nipples are short sections of pipe that are male-threaded at each end and used for connecting two female-threaded pipe ends or fittings.

Types of Pipe Fitting Material:
Different types of plumbing fittings come in the same material as their pipe counterparts, whether CPVC, Brass, Galvanized, Stainless Steel.