Press fittings. All about press connections. Advantages and disadvantages

Ensuring that your home remains warm and comfortable throughout the winter season requires adequate heating and insulation. To accomplish this, though, a wide range of techniques and supplies may be employed. A technique that has gained traction in recent times is press fittings. These fittings promise many benefits for homeowners by providing an easy and effective way to connect pipes in insulation and heating systems. We’ll cover all you need to know about press connections in this post, including advantages and disadvantages.

One kind of connection system used in heating and plumbing systems is called a press fitting. In contrast to conventional techniques that depend on threading, welding, or soldering, press fittings use a mechanical press tool to seal pipes and fittings securely and hermetically. In order to compress a fitting onto the pipe, force must be applied. A hydraulic or battery-powered press tool is usually used for this purpose. A quick, dependable, and leak-free connection is the end result.

Press fittings’ simplicity of installation is one of their biggest benefits. In contrast to soldering or welding, which call for specific knowledge and tools, press fittings are fast and simple to install for both professionals and homeowners. They are especially desirable for do-it-yourselfers who want to take on home renovation projects without having to have a lot of training or experience.

Additionally, press fittings are flexible when it comes to working with various kinds of piping materials. There are press fittings to meet your needs whether you’re working with PEX, stainless steel, or copper pipes. Press connections are a practical option for both new installations and retrofitting existing ones because of their flexibility, which enables greater adaptability in a variety of heating and insulation systems.

Press fittings have numerous benefits, but there are also some disadvantages to take into account. The press tool’s initial cost, which can be more than that of conventional soldering or welding tools, is one possible source of worry. Furthermore, even though press fittings are typically dependable, faulty installation or damage to the fittings may cause leaks or other problems in the future. To reduce the chance of issues, it is crucial to use press fittings in accordance with manufacturer instructions and to make sure that personnel are properly trained.

What it is

A press fitting is a unique fitting used to join metal-plastic pipes or system constructions with metal components in an unbreakable manner. These structures enable the fast and secure installation of systems utilizing cross-linked polyethylene metal-plastic pipes with pipelines, faucets, and heating elements.

Brass or stainless steel, which can distort under compression but has enough structural strength to be employed in such constructions, are the materials used to make these press connections.

In terms of how metal-plastic structures are connected, press fittings can be broadly classified into two categories:

• Crimp. They are used to strengthen the detachable type of connections of metal-plastic communications. In this case, the press fitting has a coupling nut that serves as a press. This type of parts is also called compression fittings.
• Overhead. They are used to reinforce non-separable joints. These parts have no threads, and instead of a nut the press serves as a sleeve. As a result of the installation, the sleeve is subjected to deformation effects. Subsequently, it no longer regains its original shape.

Aluminum press fittings are also popular, but they are not appropriate for joining metal and plastic products because the aluminum parts are too brittle to crimp the pipe tightly enough.

Advantages and disadvantages

For metal-plastic structures, press fittings have already shown themselves to be dependable and strong fasteners.

Let us examine additional advantages of utilizing press fittings:

1. The system operation does not need to be monitored and does not require additional maintenance. It is possible to install concealed piping or to fill the system with cement.
2. No effect of pipe expansion during temperature fluctuations. Due to this, press fittings can be used for hot water pipes.
3. Quick installation. In order to install such a system, it is enough to arm yourself with special press jaws. No special skills are required for installation.
4. No need for a large number of fittings. Pipeline installation is simplified. Material costs are reduced.

But in addition to their benefits, press fittings have certain drawbacks as well:

1. "Disposability of the system. This design cannot be disconnected. If the press fitting is pressed incorrectly during installation, the only thing to do is to disconnect it and throw it away.
2. Brass products tend to become covered with an unpleasant to the eye patina and darken over time. However, users advise to cover such a construction with nickel or chrome to give decorativeness.
3. Brass press connections are designed in their work for pressure of 16 atmospheres. But in urban apartments, the pressure mainly varies within 2-3 atmospheres.

Comparison with other connection methods

There are numerous fundamental kinds of fittings:

• Radial and axial press fittings used mainly by professional installers;
• Push-fittings, which can also be used on their own, without special training;
• Crimp – "manual" – fittings.

The following factors are considered when selecting the appropriate connecting tool: cost, installation experience, and the purpose of the fitting (what and where it will connect).

Press fittings, both radial and axial, are generally reasonably priced, incredibly robust, but installation takes some skill. When a lot of connections are required, push-fittings work best. Even for inexperienced beginners, they are sufficiently simple to install. Nevertheless, when it’s imperative to finish a big project quickly, skilled installers frequently utilize these fixtures.

For connecting to radiators and other engineering equipment, crimp fittings are perfect. They are utilized by novice and expert installers alike.

What to pay attention to when choosing

The quality of the tools purchased determines how reliable the metal-plastic pipe construction is. This is why selecting press fittings needs to be done with great thought. It is advised that you focus on the following crucial press connection elements:

• Markings on the body. Companies that produce quality parts also use expensive molds for markings. The first signal for the buyer is the clarity of the symbols on the product packaging.
• Weight of the part. It should weigh "decently". The brass from which the fittings are made has an impressive weight. Therefore, if the part seems to be "like fluff", it is not worth buying it.
• Appearance. Only parts that are strong in themselves can create a reliable connection. Therefore, if the fitting is fused from thin aluminum, the quality of the connection will be extremely low.
• Price. You should not purchase a product from unproven places just because it is much cheaper than others. This is most likely a fake.

Crimping of press fittings. How to do it correctly

Press fittings are superbly made and aesthetically pleasing. The component that slides into the pipe cavity during the procedure, however, doesn’t change. The fittings are not complete without the crimp ring that secures the pipe.

The crimping makes it possible to create a tightness effect without the need for extra bonding components.

To ensure the highest level of effectiveness when connecting metal-plastic pipes, certain procedures must be followed:

1. Prepare the pipes for connection. Cut off the necessary length with special wire cutters. This element is performed by applying firm pressure while slightly turning the pipe until it is neatly notched.
2. Calibrate the pipes. A special calibrator will make sure that the pipe does not become oval during installation and cutting (as it usually does). The ends of the pipe are made rounded with the help of rotary movements, having previously inserted a calibrator into the internal cavity of the pipe.
3. Crimp socket. It is almost always presented in the form of a wide washer.
4. The connector must also be inserted into the pipe. Inside there should already be a sealing ring, as well as special, serving as a fixer, gaskets.
5. After all preparations have been made, the crimping process can begin. It is performed by a special mechanical or electric press for crimping. In the home, mechanical press jaws are increasingly being used.
6. With the handles of the press jaw held apart by 180 degrees, the sleeves are inserted into the opened crimping head.
7. The sleeves are individually selected for each job according to the pipe diameter.
8. Then it is necessary to place the tool on top of the coupling and connect the handles. This is how to crimp and connect the socket and plastic pipe.
9. The press jaws can be removed to move on to the next section by spreading the handles apart again.

In this way, the pipes are connected, becoming sturdy and airtight. It is regarded as universal for use with big objects installed by experts as well as independently at home.

Press fittings are an important topic to understand when it comes to home insulation and heating. These clever connectors provide an easy way to join pipes without soldering or welding. We will examine the ins and outs of press connections in our piece, as well as their benefits and drawbacks. We’ll cover everything, from their dependability and simplicity of installation to any possible downsides like compatibility problems and cost concerns. Understanding press fittings can significantly improve your plumbing projects, regardless of your level of expertise or level of do-it-yourself experience.

Tools for press fittings

There are now more than enough different tool types and companies selling them for the installation of metal-plastic structures connected by joints. Although they are all unique, they all function well and are built for strength.

Conventional hand pliers for home use are more similar in appearance to pliers. However, they are heavier, more complexly constructed and larger in size. On one side of such a tool has a place for special removable nozzles, on the other side – a paddle for installing the fitting.

For metal-plastic pipes, use hand pliers.

Press connections using hydraulics

There are a few things to take into account when choosing pliers for the job. Among these could be buying a tool that comes with an extra set of nozzles. This will enable you to quickly and easily join metal pipes of varying diameters without wasting any time.

Press fittings provide a practical and effective way to connect pipes in insulation and heating systems. Both professionals and homeowners favor them because of their dependability and simplicity of use.

The simplicity of press fittings is one of their main benefits. Even people with no plumbing experience can quickly and easily create strong, leak-free connections with the right tools. Due to the lack of complicated soldering or welding procedures, this can save installation time and costs.

Press fittings are renowned for their longevity as well. Leaks are less likely to occur, and the surrounding area is less likely to sustain damage thanks to the tight seal that the pressing process creates. Homeowners can feel more at ease knowing that their insulation and heating systems are long-lasting thanks to their dependability.

The adaptability of press fittings is an additional advantage. They are appropriate for a wide range of applications because they can be used with copper, stainless steel, and PEX, among other pipe materials. Press fittings provide flexibility and adaptability whether you’re working on a new construction project or updating an old system.

Press fittings have numerous benefits, but there are also some disadvantages to take into account. The initial outlay is one possible drawback. Because of their durability and efficiency, press fittings can ultimately save costs, but they may require a larger initial tool and fitting investment than other joining techniques.

In addition, correct installation is essential to guaranteeing press fitting efficacy. Press fittings can leak or have weak connections as a result of poor preparation or improper technique, which defeats the purpose of using them in the first place. As a result, it’s critical to adhere to manufacturer instructions and, if necessary, seek expert assistance.

To sum up, press fittings provide a dependable and practical way to connect pipes in insulation and heating systems. Professionals and do-it-yourselfers alike favor them because of their ease of use, robustness, and adaptability. Press fittings can provide long-lasting and effective connections for many years to come, but they can also come with more costs up front and require careful installation.

Video on the topic

Comparison of crimp and press fittings

Test Press Fittings for Metal Plastic

Standard pliers for Valtek press fittings.

Stainless pipes and press fittings

How press fittings differ from axial fittings? Main differences

Repair of a press connection on a metal-plastic pipe.

Viega press fittings, simple and reliable connection.

Reliability, construction and reuse of press fittings.