Compression Fittings

Compression fittings are commonly used in plumbing to join tubes or small diameter pipes. Suitable for commercial, residential, and industrial applications, compression joints get their name from the way they join two pipes together - specifically, they do it by threading an external nut to compress adjoining pipe ends, forming a leak-tight connection.

At Valveman, we carry a wide range of compression fittings suitable for a number of uses. Whether you’re in need of a compression fitting for your refrigeration, air conditioner, or plumbing system, Valveman has you covered. Take a look at our selection and find the right compression joint for you today.

Compression Fittings - Key Features

What are compression fittings? They are pipe joints that use an external screw, which is threaded to join and hold the two ends together via compression, hence the name. They are commonly chosen for plumbing purposes, as their installation doesn’t require sealing material or heat, making it easy to install. Contrary to push-fit fittings, which require no tools, a wrench is needed to tighten the nut in a compression joint

Their design is pretty simple and consists of three elements:

• a body (with a tapered, threaded insert)
• a sleeve (also called a compression ring, olive or a ‘ferrule’)
• a compression nut with threading

As the nut is tightened, the sleeve is compressed between the fitting body and the nut, which creates a watertight seal.

Other names for compression fittings include compression nuts, compression pipe fittings, and compression couplings, among others.

Why Choose Compression Fittings for Your Next Plumbing Application

Are you considering different types of fittings for your next plumbing project, and not sure if compression fittings will be a good choice? Well, there are several reasons why they have stood the test of time and became a staple in both commercial and residential settings.

First of all, and we’ve already mentioned it, compression fittings are very easy to install. While they do require a wrench, there’s no heating or soldering involved. In fact, when it wouldn’t be practical to solder two pipes together, using compression fittings is encouraged. What’s more, their installation is also quicker, as you don’t have to wait for anything to cool down - you just insert the pipe, tighten the nut, and you’re set. Another advantage is that no additional sealant or sealing material is required. This is especially important for industrial installations where quick pipe repair or replacement is essential in resuming operations with minimal downtime.

Compression fittings create a watertight seal, so you can be sure that your plumbing won’t develop leaks and cause you to spend hundreds of dollars on costly repairs and replacements. With compression joints, you can sleep soundly, knowing that your home’s water infrastructure is functioning as it should.

Additionally, plumbing compression fittings can be disassembled and reassembled easily if necessary, such as when maintenance is needed. Compression fittings are also reusable as long as the olive is replaced.

Compression joints are suitable for use with various materials - they can be used to connect copper, brass, plastic, and stainless steel pipes. The ability to accommodate different pipe types makes them a good choice for a number of plumbing systems.

Finally, compression pipe fittings are very durable. They are made of alloys such as brass, which is known to withstand pressure and temperature - often, once you install the fitting, it won’t have to be replaced for years. The material is also naturally corrosion resistant - this further contributes to its durability and longevity, as you can be sure it won’t degrade over time, even when used for household plumbing or heating.

Compression Joints - Common Applications

The most common application for compression joints is in plumbing systems, specifically for connecting pipes used in water supply lines, drainage systems, and hydronic heating. However, it’s not the only one.

There are actually several other cases where choosing a compression fitting might be a good idea, including:

• Pneumatic systems - Because of their ability to withstand pressure fluctuations, compression tube fittings are commonly used in pneumatic systems to connect air lines, valves and gauges.
• Refrigeration and air conditioning systems - Compression joints can commonly be found in refrigerant lines and condensate drains within those two systems.
• Laboratories - Compression fittings are used to connect tubing in laboratory settings.
• Drip irrigation systems and sprinkler systems - Compression fittings are often used here to connect plastic pipes, hoses and sprinklers.
• Automotive industry - Often used in brake systems, fuel lines, and hydraulic systems.

Why Invest in Compression Joints from Valveman

There are several reasons why ValveMan is the right store for you.

Unmatched Expertise

First of all, we have decades of experience - we’ve been working within the industry for almost sixty years now, and as a family business, it’s safe to say that valves and fittings are in our blood. All of our staff members are knowledgeable when it comes to valves and fittings, no matter who you talk to when you need advice, you’ll receive the highest standard of service.

Supreme Quality

When buying from Valveman, you can be sure of one thing - every product you receive will be of great quality. It’s important to us to provide our customers with only the best, and we’ve been successful in doing so for over five decades.

Great Selection

We also understand that depending on the application and your plumbing or industrial) system, different types of compression fittings will be needed. For this reason, we try to carry a wide range of products for you to choose from. Whatever you need compression fittings for, you’ll find the right one here!

Purchase Quality Compression Fittings from Valveman

When in need of quality compression fittings, there’s no better place to shop than Valveman.

Aside from quality and a wide selection, we also offer our customers competitive pricing and fast shipping - and in case you need something specific or want to place a bulk order, you can always get in touch with us through our “Request a quote” form - our Valve Engineers will get back to you as soon as they can.

Browse through our collection of compression fittings and find the right one for your next project at Valveman!

Resources

1. https://medium.com/@fanatech.me/compression-fitting-types-and-applications-902a780186bb
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compression_fitting