Pipes & Fittings Guide
Pipes and fittings form the distribution network for water supply and drainage in plumbing systems. This category includes supply pipes (copper, PEX, CPVC, galvanized steel), drain-waste-vent (DWV) pipes (PVC, ABS, cast iron), and connecting fittings (elbows, tees, couplings, adapters, unions). Pipe materials are selected based on application, local codes, water chemistry, and installation method. Key specifications include nominal pipe size, wall thickness (schedule rating), pressure rating, and connection type (soldered, threaded, push-fit, solvent-welded). Fittings enable directional changes, branch connections, size transitions, and system maintenance access.
Types of Pipes & Fittings 4
View All Pipes & Fittings TypesExplore the different types of pipes & fittings to find the best option for your needs and budget.
Copper Piping
The traditional standard for residential plumbing. Durable, bacteriostatic, and long-lasting. Available in rigid and flexible (soft) forms.
Read MorePEX Piping
Cross-linked polyethylene tubing that is flexible, freeze-resistant, and easy to install. The most popular choice for modern residential plumbing.
Read MorePush-Fit Fittings
No-solder, no-crimp connectors that push onto copper, PEX, or CPVC pipe. Ideal for repairs and DIY projects where speed and simplicity matter.
Read MorePVC & CPVC Piping
PVC for drain-waste-vent (DWV) and cold water; CPVC rated for hot water up to 200°F. Lightweight, affordable, and chemical resistant.
Read MorePipes & Fittings Brands 18
View All Pipes & Fittings BrandsBrowse trusted pipes & fittings brands known for quality, reliability, and innovation.
Apollo
Apollo offers press-connect fittings, compression fittings, and transition fittings compatible with copper, PEX, and CPVC piping systems.
Read MoreBrassCraft
BrassCraft's flexible water supply connectors, compression fittings, and gas connectors are industry staples found in virtually every hardware store. Their Plumbshop sub-brand offers a consumer-friendly line of repair and replacement parts.
Read MoreCanplas
Canplas manufactures PVC and ABS DWV fittings, roof vents, dryer venting systems, and specialty plumbing products. Their Endura grease interceptors and floor drains are popular in commercial applications, while their residential line covers everything from DWV fittings to specialty venting solutions.
Read MoreCharlotte Pipe
Charlotte Pipe manufactures the most comprehensive line of DWV and pressure pipe and fittings in the US, covering cast iron (service weight and no-hub), PVC (Schedule 40 and DWV), CPVC (FlowGuard Gold), and ABS. Their cast iron soil pipe is made in the USA and widely specified for commercial and multi-family construction for its superior sound-dampening and fire-resistance properties.
Read MoreDanco
Danco offers drain repair parts, supply line connectors, escutcheons, and miscellaneous plumbing repair components for residential DIY and professional use.
Read MoreFernco
Fernco manufactures flexible PVC couplings, adapters, and connectors for joining dissimilar pipe materials including cast iron, PVC, ABS, clay, concrete, and copper. Their product line also includes flexible caps, saddle taps, and specialty fittings. No special tools required — just tighten the stainless steel clamps for a watertight seal.
Read MoreGiacomini
Giacomini produces radiant floor heating manifolds, PEX distribution manifolds, multilayer pipe fittings, and complete radiant panel systems for residential and commercial hydronic installations.
Read MoreIPEX
IPEX manufactures comprehensive thermoplastic piping systems including PVC-DWV (System 15), CPVC flue gas venting (System 636), ABS-DWV, PVC pressure pipe, CPVC water distribution, and polypropylene drainage systems. Their products serve residential plumbing, commercial construction, municipal infrastructure, and industrial applications across North America.
Read MoreJM Eagle
JM Eagle manufactures PVC and HDPE pipe for potable water distribution, sanitary sewer, storm drainage, and irrigation systems. Their product line includes PVC Schedule 40 and 80 pressure pipe, SDR-series pipe, C900/C905 water main pipe, HDPE DR-series pipe, and sewer pipe from 4-inch residential to 60-inch municipal sizes. All products carry a 50-year warranty.
Read MoreMueller
Mueller produces pipe repair clamps, couplings, service saddles, and corporation stops for water main repair and maintenance. Their line of brass water service fittings connects water mains to residential and commercial buildings.
Read MoreNIBCO
NIBCO manufactures copper, CPVC, PEX, and polypropylene fittings for residential and commercial plumbing. Their press-connect fittings eliminate soldering for faster installations, and push-fit fittings require no tools. The Chemtrol line serves industrial and chemical applications.
Read MoreOatey
Oatey manufactures solvent cements, primers, flux, sealants, thread sealants, plumber's putty, drain products, shower drains, washing machine boxes, access panels, and plumbing supply accessories. Their purple primer and solvent cements are industry standards. The Hercules brand covers sealants, lubricants, and chemicals. Dearborn brass drains and Cherne test plugs complete the portfolio.
Read MoreSharkBite
SharkBite manufactures push-to-connect fittings, PEX pipe, valves, water heater connectors, and plumbing repair products. Their brass push-fit fittings work with copper, PEX, and CPVC pipe without soldering or special tools. Product line includes couplings, elbows, tees, valves, transition fittings, and EvoPEX push-to-connect PEX fittings with integrated stiffener.
Read MoreSioux Chief
Sioux Chief manufactures water hammer arrestors, supply stops and risers, drainage fittings, pipe hangers and supports, test plugs, cleanouts, and the PowerPEX manifold system for residential and commercial rough plumbing installations.
Read MoreUponor
Uponor manufactures PEX-a crosslinked polyethylene pipe, ProPEX expansion fittings, manifolds, and radiant floor heating systems. Their PEX-a pipe features thermal memory that allows kinked pipe to be repaired with a heat gun, and expansion fittings create full-flow connections without restricting pipe diameter.
Read MoreViega
Viega manufactures ProPress copper, MegaPress carbon steel and stainless steel, and PureFlow PEX press fitting systems. Their Smart Connect feature alerts installers to unpressed connections, ensuring system integrity.
Read MoreWatts
Watts plumbing connectors, supply lines, water hammer arrestors, and accessories for residential and commercial installations.
Read MoreZurn
Zurn PEX plumbing systems, commercial drainage, and floor drains for large-scale installations.
Read MoreCommon Pipes & Fittings Problems 4
View All Pipes & Fittings ProblemsCommon pipes & fittings problems and how to diagnose and fix them.
Pinhole Leaks in Copper
Tiny holes from the inside out due to pitting corrosion. Start as small drips or green stains. One is a repair. Multiple are a warning that the entire system may be deteriorating.
Read MoreWater Hammer
Loud banging when a valve closes suddenly. Shockwave can damage pipes, loosen fittings, and stress connections. Fix: hammer arrestors, recharge air chambers, or reduce pressure.
Read MoreFrozen Pipes
Water freezing inside a pipe generates over 2,000 PSI -- enough to split copper, PEX, or PVC. Pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces, attics, and garages are most vulnerable. Quick thawing before a burst saves thousands.
Read MoreHigh Water Bill
Unexplained spike in your water bill usually means a hidden leak, running toilet, or dripping fixture. Finding and fixing it saves hundreds per year.
Read MorePipes & Fittings How-To Guides 7
View All Pipes & Fittings GuidesStep-by-step how-to guides for pipes & fittings maintenance, repair, and installation.
How to Solder Copper Pipe
Solder (sweat) copper pipe joints the right way -- cut, clean, flux, heat, and feed solder for watertight connections that last the life of the building.
Read MoreHow to Use SharkBite Fittings
Use SharkBite push-fit fittings on copper, PEX, or CPVC -- how they work, how to prep the pipe, how to connect, and how to disconnect when needed.
Read MoreHow to Fix a Burst Pipe
Stop the flooding, patch the pipe, and make a permanent repair -- emergency and long-term fixes for a burst water pipe using SharkBite fittings, compression couplings, or solder.
Read MoreHow to Insulate Pipes
Wrap exposed pipes with foam insulation to prevent freezing, reduce heat loss, and stop condensation sweating. Under $20 in materials for most homes.
Read MoreHow to Test Water Pressure
Check your home's water pressure with a $10 gauge. Takes 2 minutes. Identifies high pressure (pipe damage risk) and low pressure (flow problems) before they cause trouble.
Read MoreHow to Use Push-Fit Fittings
Connect copper, PEX, or CPVC pipe in seconds with push-fit (SharkBite) fittings. No soldering, no crimping, no glue. The fastest way to make a watertight connection.
Read MoreHow to Winterize Your Plumbing
Protect your pipes from freezing and bursting with a complete winterization checklist. Covers occupied homes and vacant property shutdown procedures.
Read MorePipes & Fittings Installation & Replacement
View All →Pipe installation methods vary by material. Some require specialized tools and skills (soldering copper, pressing ProPress), while others are designed for DIY accessibility (push-fit fittings, solvent-welded PVC).
Soldering Copper Pipe
Clean, flux, heat, and feed solder for watertight copper joints. Includes proper torch technique, fire safety, lead-free solder requirements for potable water, and common mistakes that cause leaks.
Read MorePEX Installation Methods
Compare crimp rings, clamp rings, expansion (cold expansion), and push-fit connections for PEX. Includes manifold vs trunk-and-branch layouts, bend support requirements, and UV exposure limitations.
Read MorePVC/ABS Drain Pipe Assembly
Cutting, deburring, priming, and cementing PVC and ABS drain pipes. Proper slope (1/4 inch per foot), cleanout placement, vent connections, and transition fittings between materials.
Read MorePush-Fit Fitting Installation
How SharkBite and similar push-fit fittings work with copper, PEX, and CPVC. Proper pipe preparation, insertion depth marking, removal technique, and where push-fit connections are and aren't code-approved.
Read MorePipes & Fittings Maintenance
View All →Plumbing pipes are largely maintenance-free, but periodic inspection prevents small issues from becoming catastrophic failures. Know the warning signs for your pipe material and how to address them early.
Leak Detection & Prevention
Visual inspection of exposed pipes, checking water meter for hidden leaks, signs of slab leaks (warm spots, foundation cracks), and smart water leak detection systems that auto-shutoff supply.
Read MoreFreeze Prevention & Thawing
Insulate exposed pipes in unconditioned spaces, maintain minimum thermostat settings, use heat tape on vulnerable runs, and safely thaw frozen pipes without causing a burst (never use open flame).
Read MoreCorrosion & Water Quality Monitoring
Copper pipe pinhole leaks from aggressive water chemistry, galvanic corrosion at dissimilar metal connections, and blue-green staining from copper dissolution. When to test water and install treatment.
Read MoreDrain Line Maintenance
Annual drain cleaning with enzyme treatments, camera inspection for root intrusion or belly sags, cleanout access maintenance, and when to call a professional for hydro-jetting vs snaking.
Read MorePipes & Fittings Cost Guide
View All →Pipe and fitting costs vary dramatically by material. A whole-house repipe is one of the most expensive plumbing projects, but targeted repairs and upgrades are often affordable DIY projects.
Pipe Costs by Material (per linear foot)
Copper: $2-$8/ft. PEX: $0.50-$2/ft. CPVC: $0.50-$1.50/ft. PVC (DWV): $0.50-$3/ft. ABS: $0.60-$3/ft. Cast iron: $5-$15/ft. Material costs are just part of the picture — labor varies significantly by method.
Read MoreWhole-House Repipe Costs
Copper repipe: $8,000-$15,000 for a typical home. PEX repipe: $4,000-$8,000. Cost depends on home size, number of fixtures, accessibility (slab vs crawlspace vs basement), and local labor rates.
Read MoreFitting & Connection Costs
Push-fit fittings: $3-$15 each (no tools needed). Copper fittings: $0.50-$5 each (plus torch, solder, flux). PEX crimp fittings: $1-$5 each (plus crimp tool $30-$100). Press fittings: $5-$20 each (plus press tool $200-$1,500).
Read MoreEmergency Repair Costs
Emergency plumber call for a burst pipe: $200-$500 minimum. Slab leak repair: $500-$4,000. Water damage restoration from a pipe failure averages $3,000-$10,000. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.
Read MoreFrequently Asked Questions
Is PEX as reliable as copper pipe?
PEX has been used in Europe since the 1970s and in the US since the 1990s with an excellent track record. It resists corrosion, is more freeze-tolerant than copper, and has fewer joints in long runs. PEX is now the most-installed supply pipe material in new US construction.
Can I connect PEX directly to a water heater?
Most codes require at least 18 inches of rigid pipe (copper or CPVC) between the water heater and the PEX transition to handle radiant heat. Some PEX manufacturers have high-temperature ratings that allow direct connection — check local codes and the specific PEX brand's specifications.
What is the difference between Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 PVC?
Schedule 40 is the standard for residential drain lines — adequate pressure rating and wall thickness for most applications. Schedule 80 has thicker walls for higher pressure applications (commercial, irrigation, chemical exposure). Schedule 80 is stronger but more expensive and has a smaller inside diameter.
Are SharkBite fittings reliable for permanent installation?
SharkBite fittings are approved for permanent installation behind walls in most jurisdictions and carry a 25-year warranty. They are code-approved for copper, PEX, and CPVC. Some plumbers prefer them only for accessible locations, but manufacturer testing supports permanent use.
How long do different pipe materials last?
Copper: 50-70 years. PEX: 40-50+ years (estimated — hasn't been in US use long enough for full lifespan data). CPVC: 50-75 years. PVC (DWV): 50-100 years. Cast iron: 75-100 years. Galvanized steel: 20-50 years (prone to internal corrosion).
Why is my water hammer so loud?
Water hammer occurs when fast-closing valves (like washing machine solenoids) suddenly stop water flow, creating a pressure shockwave. Install water hammer arrestors near the offending fixtures. Air chambers can also help but lose effectiveness over time as air absorbs into the water.