Plumbing Tips

Hey there! It’s me again, Plumb—your go-to guy for all things copper, leak-fighting, and wrench-wielding here at Plumbfounded. Today, let’s dive into the world of press fittings. You know, those cool copper connectors that don’t require any flames, flux, or a fire extinguisher on standby.

So, let’s get right to it: Are copper press fittings actually reliable?

Honestly? Yes, they’re super reliable—if you know what you’re doing.

What Are Copper Press Fittings?
Alright, let’s break it down. Copper press fittings are a flameless alternative to the old-school soldered fittings. No need to heat up the pipe. Instead, you just:

1. Cut and deburr the copper pipe.
2. Slide that press fitting on.
3. Grab a press tool with the right jaw size.
4. Squeeze until you hear that satisfying click, and boom—you’ve got a leak-free connection in mere seconds.

No torch required. Easy peasy! These fittings create a solid seal using a mechanical connection with O-rings.

Why Plumbers Trust Press Fittings
I’ve seen

Today, let’s dive into a topic that’s super important but often overlooked - threads. And no, I’m not talking about the latest social media buzz; I mean the kind that keeps your pipes nice and leak-free.

So, here’s a question I hear all the time: Are copper fittings NPT, or National Pipe Thread?

Quick answer? Some are, but honestly, most aren’t.

Let’s unpack this, thread by thread.

What Is NPT Anyway?
NPT stands for National Pipe Tapered Thread. It’s basically a standard we use here in the U.S. for threaded fittings in plumbing, gas lines, and air systems.

These threads are tapered, which means they get tighter as you screw them together. They’re designed to create a mechanical seal, often using good ol’ pipe tape or some thread sealant. You’ll typically find them in steel, brass, and plastic fittings.

Just a few keywords to keep in mind: NPT fitting, NPT pipe, NPT threads, check valve, globe valve, plug valve.

But here’s the kicker...

Most Copper Fittings Are Not NPT
Copper fittings? Well,

Copper fittings are typically made from a type of copper alloy, which means they’re almost entirely copper with small amounts of other elements mixed in.

Why? Because pure copper is too soft to handle the pressure of your plumbing system.

 
What Are Copper Fittings Made Of?

Most plumbing copper fittings are made from deoxidized high phosphorus copper C12200. That’s about 99.9 percent copper with just a touch of phosphorus. This improves weldability and corrosion resistance.

Strong enough to withstand water pressure
Flexible enough to shape and join easily
Resistant to corrosion and scaling
You might also hear about:

Type L or M copper used in pipes Type L is thicker
Wrought copper used in elbows, tees, and couplings
So no, you’re not getting 24 karat jewelry level purity, but you are getting fittings built to last decades.

 
Why Not Use 100 Percent Pure Copper?
Pure copper is soft. Really soft. That makes it great for sculptures and wires but not so great for fittings under pressure.

Adding