Fitting size
pvc pipe size chard id od inside diameter outside diameter As mentioned in the previous blog post on PVC pipe outside diameter, PVC pipe and fittings are standard sized using a nominal system. This way, all parts with the same size in the name will be compatible with each other. For example, all 1″ fittings will fit on 1″ pipe. This seems simple enough, right? Well, here’s the confusing part: The outer diameter (OD) of PVC pipe is larger than the size in its name. This means that 1 inch PVC pipe has an outer diameter greater than 1 inch, and 1 inch PVC fittings have a larger outer diameter than pipe.

The most important thing when working with PVC pipes and fittings is the nominal size. 1″ fittings will be installed on 1″ pipe, either Schedule 40 or 80. So, even though a 1″ socket fitting has a wider opening than 1″, it will fit on a 1″ pipe because the outside diameter of that pipe is also greater than 1″.

Sometimes you may want to use PVC fittings with non-PVC pipes. In this case, the nominal size is not as important as the outside diameter of the pipe you are using. They are compatible as long as the outside diameter of the pipe is the same as the inside diameter (ID) of the fitting it goes into. However, 1″ fittings and 1″ carbon steel pipes may not be compatible because they have the same nominal size. Always do your research before spending money on parts that may not be compatible with each other!

Click here to learn more about the outer diameter of PVC.

PVC End Types and Adhesives
Without any adhesive, the PVC pipe and fittings will be held together very tightly. However, they will not be watertight. If you are going to pass any fluid through your pipes, you need to make sure there are no leaks. There are a few different ways to do this, and the method you choose will depend on what you’re connecting to.

PVC pipes themselves generally do not have threaded ends. This is just one of the reasons why most PVC fittings have sliding ends. “Slide” in PVC doesn’t mean the connection will be slippery, it means that the fitting will slide right through the pipe. When a pipe is put into a slip joint, the connection may appear tight, but to transmit any liquid medium, it needs to be sealed. PVC cement seals the pipe by chemically bonding one part of the pipe to another part of the plastic. To keep the sliding fittings sealed, you will need PVC primer and PVC cement. Primer softens the interior of the fitting in preparation for gluing, while cement keeps the two pieces tightly together.

Threaded fittings need to be sealed differently. The main reason people use threaded parts is that they can be taken apart if necessary. PVC cement glues the pipes together, so if it’s used in a threaded joint, it will create a seal, but the threads will be useless. A great way to seal threaded joints and keep them working is to use PTFE thread sealing tape. Just wrap it around the male thread a few times and it will keep the connection sealed and lubricated. The fittings can still be unscrewed if you want to go back to that joint for maintenance.

Want to learn about all the different PVC end types and connections? Click here to learn more about PVC end types.

Furniture grade fittings and conventional fittings
Our customers often ask us, “What’s the difference between furniture-grade fittings and regular fittings?” The answer is simple: our furniture-grade fittings do not have manufacturer prints or barcodes. They are clean white or black with nothing printed on them. This makes them ideal for applications where the plumbing is visible, whether it is actually used for furniture or not. Dimensions are the same as regular accessories. For example, both 1″ furniture grade fittings and 1″ regular fittings can be installed on 1″ pipe. Plus, they are just as durable as our other PVC fittings.

Click here to learn more about our furniture grade plumbing and fittings.

PVC Pipe Fittings – Description and Applications
Below is a list of some of the most commonly used PVC accessories. Each entry contains a description of the accessory and its possible uses and applications. For more information on these accessories, visit their respective product pages. It’s important to remember that every accessory has countless iterations and uses, so keep that in mind when shopping for accessories.

Tee
A PVC tee is a three-terminal joint; two in a straight line and one on the side, at a 90-degree angle. Tee allows a line to be split into two separate lines with a 90 degree connection. In addition, the tee can connect two wires into one main wire. They are also frequently used in PVC constructions. Tee is an extremely versatile fitting and one of the most widely used components in piping. Most tees have sliding socket ends, but threaded versions are also available.