Types of Pipe Fittings in a Plumbing

System
By: Danloyd Bravo

1. Elbow Pipe Fittings – Used to alter the flow direction

between two pipes, typically at angles like 90°, 45°, or 22°. If
both pipes have the same diameter, a standard elbow is
used; for different diameters, a reducer elbow is needed.

2. Reducer Pipe Fittings – A fitting that reduces the pipe size

from larger to smaller, allowing for a smooth transition
between different pipe diameters without interrupting the
flow.

3. Tee Pipe Fittings – A T-shaped fitting that has one inlet and
two outlets, positioned at 90° to the main line. It can also
merge two inlets into one outlet. If all three connections are
the same size, it’s called an Equal Tee; if not, it’s a Reducing
Tee.

4. Cross Fittings – These fittings have four openings in

different directions, used when four pipes converge at a
single point. They tend to experience more stress due to
temperature changes and are commonly used in fire
sprinkler systems.

5. Coupling – Connects two pipes of the same diameter and is

often used for repairs or leaks. There are two types: slip
couplings (easy to install for long pipe repairs) and
compression couplings (use gaskets to prevent leaks).
6. Unions – Similar to couplings, but unions can be easily
disconnected and reconnected, making them ideal for
situations where the pipe connection might need to be
removed.

7. Adapters – These fittings provide threads to pipes that don’t

have them, with male or female threading depending on the
need. They are commonly used with copper or PVC pipes.

8. Plug – A plug is used to close off pipe openings during

maintenance or inspection. It typically has male threads that
fit into the pipe opening.

9. Cap – Similar to plugs but with female threads, caps are used
to close off pipe ends and come in various materials like
rubber, copper, or plastic.

10.Valves in Pipe Fittings – Valves regulate or stop fluid flow.

Gate, plug, and ball valves are used for isolation, check
valves prevent backflow, and globe, butterfly, and diaphragm
valves are used for throttling or controlling fluid volume.
10 Types of Pipes Used in Plumbing

1. PVC Pipe (Polyvinyl Chloride)

o Description: Common plastic pipe used for water supply,
drain, and vent piping.
o Pros: Strong, durable, inexpensive, sound-dampening.
o Cons: Requires primer and cement, only handles fluids up to
140°F

2. PEX Pipe (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

o Description: Flexible plastic pipe used for water supply lines
(red for hot, blue for cold).
o Pros: Flexible, fewer connections, corrosion-resistant, cheaper
than copper.
o Cons: Needs special tools, not for outdoor use.

3. ABS Pipe (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

o Description: Black plastic pipe mainly used for drain, waste,
and vent lines.
o Pros: Strong, cold-resistant, inexpensive, easy to connect.
o Cons: Contains BPA, potentially hazardous.

4. Copper Pipe
o Description: Widely used metal pipe for water supply in
homes and commercial buildings.
o Pros: Durable, long-lasting, corrosion-resistant, handles
hot/cold water.
o Cons: Expensive, hard to use in tight spaces, requires welding.

5. CPVC Pipe (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)

o Description: A stronger version of PVC, handles hotter fluids
(up to 200°F).
o Pros: Handles high temperatures, cheaper than copper, durable.
o Cons: More expensive than PVC, needs primer and cement.
 6. Galvanized Steel Pipe
o Description: Originally used for water supply, now mainly for
gas piping.
o Pros: Strong, durable, cheaper than copper.
o Cons: Prone to rust and mineral buildup, can contaminate
water with lead.

7. Cast-Iron Pipe
o Description: Older, heavy-duty pipe used for sewer and drain
lines.
o Pros: Heat-resistant, sound-dampening, strong.
o Cons: Heavy, prone to rust and buildup.

8. HDPE Pipe (High-Density Polyethylene)

o Description: Flexible plastic pipe used underground, good in
cold climates.
o Pros: Durable, corrosion-resistant, flexible, non-toxic.
o Cons: Cracks in high temperatures, melts in sunlight.

9. Polybutylene Pipe
o Description: Discontinued plastic pipe used from the 1970s to
1990s for water supply.
o Cons: Prone to breakdown, should be replaced if still in use.

10. Black Iron Pipe

 Description: Strong metal pipe now used mainly for gas lines and
fire sprinklers.
 Pros: Heat-resistant, durable.
 Cons: Heavy, difficult to install.
One-story House Plumbing Plan
Prepared by: Danloyd Bravo

Submitted to: Fr. Dale Orda,

RCE

Types of Pipe Fittings in a Plumbing

System
 Elbow Pipe Fittings – Used to alter the flow direction
between two pipes, typically at angles like 90°, 45°, or 22°. If
both pipes have the same diameter, a standard elbow is used;
for different diameters, a reducer elbow is needed.
 Reducer Pipe Fittings – A fitting that reduces the pipe size
from larger to smaller, allowing for a smooth transition between
different pipe diameters without interrupting the flow.

 Tee Pipe Fittings – A T-shaped fitting that has one inlet and
two outlets, positioned at 90° to the main line. It can also merge
two inlets into one outlet. If all three connections are the same
size, it’s called an Equal Tee; if not, it’s a Reducing Tee.

 Cross Fittings – These fittings have four openings in different

directions, used when four pipes converge at a single point. They
tend to experience more stress due to temperature changes and
are commonly used in fire sprinkler systems.

 Coupling – Connects two pipes of the same diameter and is

often used for repairs or leaks. There are two types: slip
couplings (easy to install for long pipe repairs) and compression
couplings (use gaskets to prevent leaks).

 Unions – Similar to couplings, but unions can be easily

disconnected and reconnected, making them ideal for situations
where the pipe connection might need to be removed.
  Adapters – These fittings provide threads to pipes that don’t
have them, with male or female threading depending on the
need. They are commonly used with copper or PVC pipes.

 Plug – A plug is used to close off pipe openings during

maintenance or inspection. It typically has male threads that fit
into the pipe opening.

 Cap – Similar to plugs but with female threads, caps are used
to close off pipe ends and come in various materials like rubber,
copper, or plastic.

 Valves in Pipe Fittings – Valves regulate or stop fluid flow.

Gate, plug, and ball valves are used for isolation, check valves
prevent backflow, and globe, butterfly, and diaphragm valves are
used for throttling or controlling fluid volume.

10 Types of Pipes Used in Plumbing

1. PVC Pipe (Polyvinyl Chloride)

o Description: Common plastic pipe used for water
supply, drain, and vent piping.
 o Pros: Strong, durable, inexpensive, sound-dampening.
o Cons: Requires primer and cement, only handles fluids
up to 140°F

2. PEX Pipe (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

o Description: Flexible plastic pipe used for water
supply lines (red for hot, blue for cold).
o Pros: Flexible, fewer connections, corrosion-resistant,
cheaper than copper.
o Cons: Needs special tools, not for outdoor use.

3. ABS Pipe (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

o Description: Black plastic pipe mainly used for drain,
waste, and vent lines.
o Pros: Strong, cold-resistant, inexpensive, easy to
connect.
o Cons: Contains BPA, potentially hazardous.

4. Copper Pipe
o Description: Widely used metal pipe for water supply
in homes and commercial buildings.
o Pros: Durable, long-lasting, corrosion-resistant,
handles hot/cold water.
o Cons: Expensive, hard to use in tight spaces, requires
welding.

5. CPVC Pipe (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride)

o Description: A stronger version of PVC, handles
hotter fluids (up to 200°F).
o Pros: Handles high temperatures, cheaper than
copper, durable.
o Cons: More expensive than PVC, needs primer and
cement.

6. Galvanized Steel Pipe

o Description: Originally used for water supply, now
mainly for gas piping.
o Pros: Strong, durable, cheaper than copper.
o Cons: Prone to rust and mineral buildup, can
contaminate water with lead.
7. Cast-Iron Pipe
o Description: Older, heavy-duty pipe used for sewer
and drain lines.
o Pros: Heat-resistant, sound-dampening, strong.
o Cons: Heavy, prone to rust and buildup.

8. HDPE Pipe (High-Density Polyethylene)

o Description: Flexible plastic pipe used underground,
good in cold climates.
o Pros: Durable, corrosion-resistant, flexible, non-toxic.
o Cons: Cracks in high temperatures, melts in sunlight.

9. Polybutylene Pipe
o Description: Discontinued plastic pipe used from the
1970s to 1990s for water supply.
o Cons: Prone to breakdown, should be replaced if still
in use.

10.Black Iron Pipe

 Description: Strong metal pipe now used mainly for gas

lines and fire sprinklers.
 Pros: Heat-resistant, durable.
 Cons: Heavy, difficult to install.
One-story House Plumbing Plan