Pipe Fittings

Pipe fittings are most commonly used to run pipes around corners where necessary. Piping is usually laid in pieces that connect to one another. When a pipe has to go around a corner, it is typically cut short and a pipe fitting known as an 'elbow' is used to run it around the corner. Elbows have a 90-degree angle that allows them to connect both pipes securely.

Basically, pipe fittings can connect to pipes in two ways. Pipe fittings connect to pipes either by threads or slip fits. Pipes connected by threads are screwed together. This is usually done with metal pipes. The slip fit method is more commonly used with plastic pipes, although plastic pipes can also be threaded. In slip fitting, sleeves are used to help the fits slip into one another. See the articles below to learn more about pipe fittings.