| Plumbing refers to a system of pipes that allows | | | | 1. Connectors are typically fitted to the size of |
| water into and out of a building or a structure. | | | | pipe. The main styles, which cater for needs for |
| The term itself comes from a Latin term, | | | | pipe-runs are:a. straight connectorb. connector |
| plumbum, which is commonly known as lead. | | | | with 90-degree bendc. T-shaped connector |
| Here is a piece of history on plumbing. | | | | Normally, they are made to connect to pipes that |
| The first plumbing systems were installed to get | | | | have the same sizes or different sizes at each |
| rid of human wastes. In the Indus Valley, which is | | | | end. |
| found in western India and Pakistan, most shelters | | | | 2. Connectors can be made to integrate modern |
| had assembled drainage for waste disposal by the | | | | pipes that have sizes in meters to copper pipes |
| year 2500 BC. Moreover, a palace on the island of | | | | that have bigger sizes to outside screw threads |
| Crete had pipes to supply the dwellers with | | | | such as used on sink taps and/or iron pipes. |
| drinking water by about 2000 BC. The ancient | | | | The two basic types of connectors used for |
| Romans used lead metal for their pipes. In | | | | linking copper pipes are:a. Compression connectors |
| addition, their old systems still have installed iron | | | | These are used as internal rings, which are |
| pipes and older houses have lead pipes for their | | | | compressed onto the copper pipe. In addition, end |
| water and wastes, respectively. | | | | nuts are tightened onto the body of the |
| However, present-day plumbing make use of | | | | connector. |
| copper pipes for central heating pipe-work and for | | | | These connectors can be reassembled and |
| water feeds. However, the use of modern plastic | | | | dismantled easily. Also, if a pipe run is to be |
| pipes, brass, and even steel are also slowly taking | | | | dismantled, the end of the pipe can be cut so that |
| place. | | | | the end nut can be removed. Then, the connector |
| Why is copper popular in modern plumbing? | | | | can be reused again with a new set of olives.b. |
| Many plumbers and manufacturers have | | | | Solder connectors |
| discovered some advantages of copper over lead | | | | These types of connectors are made to provide |
| and iron pipes and these are: | | | | a fit that slides into the pipe that is made of |
| 1. Copper costs low as compared to lead and iron. | | | | copper. To do this, the joint is usually heated. |
| 2. Copper does not corrode relative to iron. | | | | Then the gap between the connector and the |
| 3. Copper is non toxic relative to lead. | | | | pipe is filled with solder thru capillary action. |
| 4. Copper is easy to work with and relatively soft | | | | There are connectors that assemble a ring made |
| as compare to both lead and iron. | | | | of solder into the body, while others are made of |
| 5. Copper pipes are manufactured in an array of | | | | solder and copper and need to be integrated |
| sizes:a. between 8 and 10 mm - for micro-bore | | | | around the exposed gap after heating the pipes |
| heating systemsb. between 12 and 15 mm - for | | | | or connectors. |
| connections to appliances and individual tapsc. 22 | | | | Unlike compression connectors, solders are not |
| mm, 28mm, and 35 mm - to overcome pressure | | | | reusable. They cannot be dismantled and |
| drop | | | | disarranged too. |
| Moreover, trade outlets may keep stocks | | | | This article is made to provide you with basic |
| between 3 and 4 meters while those DIY or | | | | information on copper pipes and connectors. I |
| Do-it-yourself outlets may stock sizes between | | | | guess we can leave the plumbing to the plumbers |
| 1.5 and 2 meters. | | | | themselves! |
| Below is some information on connectors: | | | | |