Installing Compressing Fittings on a Water Line

One do-it-yourself activity that can be done in the home is to install a compressing fitting on a water line. The compressing fitting comes in a set composed of a compression nut, compression ring and a compression seat. What compressing fitting does is basically connecting or attaching two pipes together of some appliances and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom. The connections of the tubes are done without leakages.

How a Compression Fitting Works

Compression fitting is used to attach copper tubing to plumbing fixtures. The connection process is straightforward and must be done securely to withstand pressure. A metal ring or cap can be seen fitted over the tubing connection. This metal ring is compressed by the core over the body of the compression fitting to be in contact with the tubing and the fitting walls.

An advantage to personally handling the compressing fitting is that the assembly and the dismantling processes are easy to do. Soldering equipment is not needed for the work but only a wrench. However, there is an accompanying disadvantage cited of the compressing fitting that its incompatibility with equipment or fixtures that can be moved around.

Compressing fitting work best for items to be connected that are needing replacement. Such an example is attaching copper tubing on toilets, bathroom and kitchen faucets, refrigerators, freezers and ice makers. Compression fitting saves on replacement or disposal because it could still be reused as only the metal ring needs to be replaced to guarantee that the seal is appropriately secured free of leakages.

How to Install Water Line Compression Fittings

Compression fittings are used for plumbing pipes attachments as well as plumbing fixtures. It could also be utilized to connect two pipes in the kitchen and bathroom. Appliances used such as a refrigerator and a dishwasher that use water need that compressing fitting for the waterline connections. The work of connection needs the compressing fitting set (made up of a compression nut, compression ring and a compression seat), some copper wire and an adjustable wrench.

The process of connecting the compression fitting begins by sliding the compression nut into the pipe. The pipe then is positioned into the compressing fitting with the rubberized ring set at the end. The other pipe is set where the compression seat is situated. The pipe that holds the rubberized ring in placed into the compression seat. At this point, the dual pipes are attached with the compression nut securely tightened enabling the rubberized ring to be pushed against the compression seat. This will ensure that the water lock is secured fully.

Tightening of the compression fittings should be done just enough to securely fasten it. Tightening too much, especially plastic piping, may crack the pipes and break the threading of the compression fitting. Remember compression fitting is not intended for connections on items that are moved around or with flexible piping. The moving could tear the compression fitting hose causing some leakages.