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How Plumbers Spot Hidden Leaks Underground

When water starts bubbling up in your yard—or even worse seeping through your foundation—you need to find the cause. But how do plumbers track down leaks that you can't see?

It's a mix of detective work and cutting-edge tech. Here's what the experts do.

1. Sound-Catching Tools

These gadgets pick up the noise of water escaping from a pipe. Using super-sensitive mics, plumbers listen for hissing or dripping sounds through dirt, concrete, or walls. It's like underwater listening for pipes.

2. Heat-Seeing Cameras

Water leaks can change how warm or cold nearby surfaces are. Heat cameras spot these changes helping plumbers zero in on leak areas—under floors or foundations.

3. Pipe Finders and Ground-Scanning Radar

If nobody knows where the pipe is, plumbers use tracking tools or ground-scanning radar to map out the plumbing system underground before looking for leaks.

4. Pressure Checks
Plumbers can find out where water is escaping by closing off parts

If you’ve got a little water where it shouldn’t be, you might be tempted to reach for that tub of plumber’s putty. But can it actually stop a leak?

Here’s the short answer: not exactly.

Plumber’s putty is a soft, moldable sealant used primarily to create watertight seals between non-pressurized surfaces. It’s most commonly applied under faucet bases, sink strainers, and other fixtures.

When Plumber’s Putty Works
Under sink drains or strainers to prevent seepage
Around faucet bases to keep water from dripping into the counter
Anywhere you need a soft, waterproof, flexible seal on a static joint
It’s great because it doesn’t harden, crack, or shrink. It stays pliable, which is perfect for long-term seals in areas without movement or pressure.

When It Won’t Help
Leaks in pressurized pipes or fittings
Cracked pipes or valves
High-temp or high-flex areas
Trying to stop a leak in a supply line or pipe joint with putty? That’s like using chewing gum to plug a radiator.

What to Use Instead
For

So, you’ve probably heard about press fittings, push-to-connect systems, and solder joints, right? But have you ever come across those handy little connectors with a nut and ferrule? Yep, that’s what we’re diving into—copper compression fittings! Let’s break it down and see why these little guys remain a favorite for plumbers and weekend warriors alike.

What Are Copper Compression Fittings?
Okay, here’s the deal: copper compression fittings are mechanical connectors that help join copper tubing together. Each fitting is made up of three parts: a compression nut, a ferrule (sometimes called an olive), and the fitting body itself.

The best part? Installation is a breeze compared to soldering or pressing. Here’s how you do it:

1. Slide the nut and ferrule onto the copper pipe.
2. Insert the pipe into the fitting body.
3. Grab a wrench and tighten that nut.

That ferrule squeezes around the pipe, creating a nice, leak-free seal—no flames, no glue, and no fancy tools required.

How Do Compression

Hey there! It’s Plumb again—your go-to plumbing buddy from Plumbfounded. Today, we're diving into the HVAC world to chat about a particular type of copper fitting that you might’ve heard of: ACR copper fittings.

Now, if you’re scratching your head wondering what ACR even means, don’t sweat it. I’m here to explain!

What Are ACR Copper Fittings?
So, ACR stands for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. These ACR copper fittings are designed specifically to work with ACR copper tubing, which you’ll find in air conditioning, refrigeration, and HVAC systems.

What’s cool about these fittings is that they’re made from dehydrated, cleaned, and capped copper. They’re built to handle refrigerants like R-410A, R-22, or R-134a without leaking or getting contaminated.

By the way, if you want to check out some options, look for ACR Copper Fittings on our site!

How Are ACR Copper Fittings Different?
At first glance, ACR fittings might look like your standard plumbing fittings. But here's the thing—they’re

What Are Wrought Copper Fittings? Let's Break It Down

So, you've probably heard the term "wrought copper fittings" thrown around at plumbing supply stores or maybe even on job sites. Sounds a bit high-tech, right? But what’s the real deal here?

Let’s simplify it and get right to the point—Plumb-style.

What Exactly Are Wrought Copper Fittings?
Wrought copper fittings are these seamless, factory-made connectors that you use to join copper pipes in your plumbing setup. The term "wrought" just means that the copper has been worked on—pressed, rolled, and shaped using some heavy-duty machinery.

In simpler words: it’s copper shaped into things like elbows, tees, and couplings—not just melted and poured like you would with cast fittings.

What Sets Them Apart from Cast Fittings?
Let’s do a quick comparison, shall we?

When it comes to choosing the right copper fittings for your plumbing system, understanding the difference between wrought copper fittings and cast fittings (such as brass or bronze)

Ever hear the term capillary fitting and wonder if it had something to do with blood vessels? Don’t worry—it’s strictly plumbing. But it does involve a tight connection. Let’s talk about copper capillary fittings and why they’ve stood the test of time.

 
What Are Copper Capillary Fittings?
Copper capillary fittings are soldered pipe connectors that rely on a process called capillary action. That’s when molten solder flows into the narrow gap between the fitting and the pipe by surface tension.

Here’s how it works:

Heat the joint
Apply solder to the edge
The solder is drawn into the joint, creating a sealed connection
It’s a strong, watertight bond—no screws, clamps, or compression needed.

What Makes a Fitting “Capillary”?
The design is what makes these fittings so effective:

The fitting has an internal socket slightly larger than the pipe
When heated, this tight gap allows solder to flow in naturally
The result is a clean, compact, and permanent joint
Capillary fittings are also called

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

Hey there, it’s Plumb back again—your friendly neighborhood expert on everything leak-proof and plumber-approved! So, today, we’re diving into a question that pops up all the time: Are copper push fit fittings reliable? Or are they just another one of those TV plumbing gimmicks?

Let’s get into it, the Plumbfounded way.

What Are Copper Push Fit Fittings?
Alright, so copper push fit fittings, or push-to-connect as some folks call them, are these nifty little connectors that let you join copper pipes without needing any tools. Seriously, it’s as easy as pie!

No soldering. No glue. No torch. No crimp tools. Just:

- Cut the pipe
- Deburr it (that’s fancy talk for cleaning up the edges)
- Push it in until you hear that satisfying click

And boom! You’ve got a leak-proof connection in seconds.

Brands like SharkBite are pretty popular, but there’s a bunch of other manufacturers out there making them too.

So, Are They Reliable?
In short, yes! Copper push fit fittings can be reliable—if you use them

Hiya, it’s Plumb—your favorite plumbing mascot with a heart of gold and a toolkit full of wisdom. Today, we’re diving into a classic plumbing essential: copper fittings. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a first-time fixer-upper, this one's for you.

So, what are copper fittings? Let’s start with the basics.

What Exactly Are Copper Fittings?
Copper fittings are the connectors used to join pieces of copper pipe together in a plumbing system. They're the elbows, tees, couplings, and adapters that help your water go where it's supposed to—without leaks or drama.

They're made from copper, a metal known for its strength, corrosion resistance, and ability to carry hot and cold water safely.

Think of copper fittings as the joints in a skeleton: they let everything bend, turn, and flow naturally.

What Types of Copper Fittings Are There?
Copper fittings come in many shapes and sizes. Here are the most common ones:

Elbows – Change direction (usually 45 or 90 degrees)

Tees – Split flow into three directions

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,