How compression fittings work
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- Compression fittings are very versatile, but many people are not confident when using them. Some people also believe that you need to use a sealing compound or PTFE tape with compression fittings, but simply is not the case (unless your compression fitting is leaking). Once the olive has been compressed sufficiently the joint should be a quick and leak free fitting for life. I do prefer copper olives to brass olives as they are easier to compress. Compression fittings are versatile and can be used on copper pipe or plastic pipe with a pipe insert.
Outstanding video! Not only shows theory behind the fittings, not only shows correct installation, not only shows INcorrect installation, but even shows cutaways to further demonstrate and the damage that incorrect installation will cause...hard to imagine a more clear, concise instructional video, extremely well done!
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Yes not only not only and not only
Generally a good rule of thumb for DIYers to know when tightening up compression joints is that once you start a bit of resistance nip it up about a quarter of a turn and then stop. Personally I put jointing compound on all of my compression joints as when they are done up dry they usually have the tendency to leak ever so slightly.
I seem to spend my life following guys that tighten fittings to the torque you showed at the end. It take at least 3 swear words to get them undone!
I wish this video showed up before my plumbing DIY project took place, good info for future use
Top video as always.The cut away was a great idea too
+honestmcgyver Thanks for the comment ;-)
Excellent video for begginers. Done at a slow enough pace to absorb well described and great video pics
Great to hear!
I hesitated before doing this but this vid showed me it was not anything to be afraid of. :) Thanks!
You are welcome.
Thanks for the comment
Nice video as usual. That picture right at the beginning is awsome. Torque specs would be a nice idea for those who would use them but my experience is that most home mechanics and many professionals would just ignore them as they now do on automobiles and other equipment where torque specs actually do exist.
Thanks for the comment 👍
That's not a good reason to not provide them. Pros ignore them because they know what 20 lbs of torque feels like, for example, after doing it with a torque wrench hundreds of times when learning. When I replaced the calipers on my car, I sure as hell used the manufacturer's torque specifications. In this case, it would just be good to know what they are, as most people can tell the difference between something that's supposed to be 15 lbs of torque as opposed to 90 lbs of torque.
Super helpful, great visuals, especially cutaway and over-tightening demo. Thanks UH
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment 👍
I’ve been looking for different videos/photos for the last few days to try and see how it works. If you know how something works and fails, then I think you have a better idea on how to do with the correct way. This is exactly what I was looking for great video.
I'm glad the video helped
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No joke this video is amazing, simple but very informative and to the point, thanks for the education man!
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Fantastic, thank you!
Here in SA they're called compression rings - at least, that's the name when you browse through online catalogues. I suspect the term olive is only used in the professional trade; it would make sense to me that as a former colony and largely anglophilic use of the Queen's English, that olive is the correct term here too.
I'm going to have some fun confusing shop assistants, as I do with "jubilee clip", nobody knows what they are unless they're an old-timer :)
In some countries, the olives are known as ferrules.
Most people that I know would know what a Jubilee clip is, pretty much the same for a Hoover, but some people probably won't know what either is 😂
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This helped us understand repairing a fitting on an air compressor. Brilliant, Thank you.
You are welcome.
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I love this channel, it's so practical and comes across in layman's language. I bought the Trend angle finder because of you! thank you, keep uploading
I will do ;-)
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Thank You Very Much. Very Clearly Explained. One of the best Displays of many many ☺ Thanks So Much
You are welcome
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Oh my gawd!
I'm mentioned in an actual You Tube video. Nice.
Thank you Mr. Ultimate Handyman.
+He Ka You are welcome ;-)Thank you for the comments
Excellent informative video - more on plumbing always welcomed!
+ForestCat I'll be doing more plumbing videos soon ;-)Thanks for the comment
very good to add the cut fitting to show what happens inside :)
Thanks for the comment
Copper olives for most work and plastic pipes, brass for most work and chrome plated pipe. I see SF dont sell bags of copper olives any more only brass ones. I do like to use a smear of fernox paste on olive tho. Especially when behind shower etc. i try to solder where i can mostly, although i see you yse solder ring fittings and i prefer end feed. I think it looks better. Thanks for the vids and time taken.
+Bottles You are welcome ;-)My local plumbers merchants sells copper olives so I normally pick up a handful when I am there!Thanks for the comment
Screwfix do sell copper olives, I brought a pack few days ago just incase I over tighten my compression fittings and need to replace.
In my daily work as a Plumbing and Heating engineer I can always spot a DIY / cowboy as soon as I see PTFE on the threads of a compression fitting -_-
Thanks for the comment
Amen
always good to see someone who knows what they are doing! cheers!
Thanks for the comment
I have always used a bit of PTFE on the threads, not to help with the seal though, I find it helps stop it seizing and makes it easier to undo again. Just 1 or 2 turns though, otherwise it gets in the way.
+caskwith
I know a few people that use jointing compound, plumbers mait etc. on them. The compression fitting manufacturers say you don't need anything but some products do say for use on compression fittings! As long as the fittings don't leak I guess it does not matter ;-)
Thanks for the comment
Brass is a self-lubricating material and therefore doesn't require any PTFE tape or similar as an anti-sieze. I've seen more leaking fittings due to using PTFE tape on compression fittings than not. Also, on a clean and correctly prepared fitting/tube normally finger tight plus a half turn is more than adequate to hold 10 bar. At work I regularly use 690 bar on Inconel/Stainless fittings and its amazing just how much pressure a finger tight fitting can hold!
+andy. you are full of it. 10000 psi with a FINGER TIGHT fitting. You're nuts.
Max R Re-read my comment again, but slowly this time. I never said a finger tight fitting would hold 10,000 psi but said that's it's amazing just how much pressure a finger tight fitting WILL hold. A couple of thousand psi before a control line starts to leak isn't uncommon - most control lines for subsea equipment use around a bout this pressure. Parker A-Lok 3/8" Inconel and Stainless is what I'm referring to. Calling me full of it just because you don't agree shows ignorance or a lack of understanding.
+Andy R . i stand corrected. p.s. ignorance and lack of understanding are the SAME thing.
They use this exact same setup in industry to couple gearboxes between each other etc so I'm not surprised that they can hold a large amount of pressure considering they can take huge amount of torque in different application with the same setup
+Nik Trp I have never seen these couplings on the sites that I work on, we tend to use spider couplings or tyre couplings. I'll look out for them in future though ;-)Thanks for the comment
thank you for sharing your expertise
My pleasure!
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Thank you, that was perfect. I don't care what they call them in the states... Olive it is!
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment 👍
Good clear, concise video
I'm not a plumber, but when I fit any compression fittings, I put it together and tighten them up until moderate tension and then release completely the fitting, now the olive has "bit" into the pipe a little wrap some ptfe around the olive and reassemble completely. It always takes that little bit longer at the time but it takes longer and costs more repairing leak damage.
How tight should it be?
"As tight as you can, also, if you tighten it as much as you can it can damage everything and cause a leak and kill everyone"
Great! Thanks man! :/
haha, know you're joking, but I guess only half joking ><
They key is the length of the spanner. "As much as you can" will be a lot less for a short spanner than a long one. Probably worth doing a few test fits, then taking them apart, so you can get a feel for what is too long.
You can also use shark bite. They are super easy to install on pipes. You may need to buy the burr tool if it doesn’t come with the kit have not had a regret using them on most copper projects that can’t we welded
Thanks for the comment 👍
Very interesting old sea dog! I fear many people may not know how much a bar is what!
+KINDLE Thanks Kindle, I did put the key Bar pressures on the video at 10 bar intervals (I think).Thanks for the comment
As an apprentice I was always told finger tight then 1 & 1/4 turns. I sort of follow that but have had some weep so tweaked a little more. I have found using copper olives takes less turns to seal them.
+Mark Davies Thanks Mark, I prefer the copper ones ;-)Thanks for the comment
Totally agree on the torque recommendations, why don't they specify torque required?
Confidence in a product is better for the manufacturer and the installer
+jeales895
Absolutely, It would be useful for many people!
Thanks for the comment ;-)
Very well done! I appreciate your videos and your tips!
Glad you like them!
Thanks for the comment 👍
Interesting video. However, most other professionals I've seen on yt say only tighten them a quarter turn, then if there are any tiny leaks, tighten a touch more. Otherwise, it damages the pipe.
A lot of professionals also use jointing compound, which the compression fitting manufacturers do not recommend.
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Thanks for the great explanation!
You are welcome
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Great video, thank you!
good video as usual Chez....the two spanners you use at the end ...I have the same ones too... for opening my G/friends purse...
+Eddie Prout Prout Thanks ;-)I'd need more than spanners to open my girlfriends purse!Thanks for the comment
Helpful video, thanks mate
Nice explanation! Thanks for video
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment 👍
This is the video I needed! Are you able to tell how much torque you put on the nut with a copper pipe?
That's done it, thank you.
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Great video explanation. Thankyou sir.
You are welcome
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Great video - very nicely explained.
Thanks for the comment ;-)
A bit of vaseline stops the creaking and allows the nut to do up smoothly and with less force.
Thanks for the comment
@RG5355 Yes, that's what I do as well. Vaseline or small bit of pipe thread dressing, prevents that chattering noise and the nut can tighten against the olive/ferrule smoothly.
Your video showed everything!
Thanks for the comment 👍
Dear Ultimate Handyman, in a reply below, you said,: 'As long as you use copper olives you won't go far wrong with a 1/4 to 1/2 turn (past finger tight)' Kindly, ¿is this the same for brass ferrules, please? (I believe I have brass ferrules on these ball valve ends I've purchased, and hope to install in our home). Thank you so much for your video and replies to our many questions for help.
Brass olives will be fine, but you need to apply more torque to get them to seal properly, as brass is not as ductile as copper
Thanks for the comment 👍
@@ultimatehandyman Dear UH, thank you for the kindness of a reply. God[Bible] Bless.
Great vide, straight to the point. You didnt cover nylon olives.. which have become more common.
I have never seen Nylon olives in the UK, they are normally either copper or brass.
ua-cam.com/video/1TFisMcDrH4/v-deo.html
Thanks very much for the nice video great help for beginner like me
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment 👍
Very informative, thanks very much!
Glad it was helpful!
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Thanks for the lesson.
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment 👍
"larger spanners"... yep... i'd say so LOL
The problem with specifying a torque setting would be that pipe varies in the degree of softness. If the pipe has previously been soldered nearby (often the case when they're used for repairs), then it would be softer...
Incidentally, another big cause of failure with compression fittings, like solder joints, is insufficient cleanliness. A bit of grit, steel wool, whatever, in between the olive and pipe is fatal. (yes I know you know that LOL)!
+TheChipmunk2008 Thanks for the comment ;-)
awsume! I am busy with some plumbing ,very helpfully info.thnx
You are welcome.Thanks for the comment
I like olives but on my pizza :) great video as usual
LOL
Thanks for the comment
Well instructed
Thanks 👍
Believe this or not, I actually emailed the manufacturer of a brass compression ball valve fitting to ask “how tight I should tighten the fitting?” and received this reply, “contact your local plumber”.
My reply to them was “who tells the plumber how tight the fitting should be?”. I never heard back.
😂
How difficult would it be for the manufacturers to do a bit of testing and then say "we recommend that the nut is torqued up to X".
I'll just stick to tightening it, until is squeaks 😂
Ah another one of your helpful videos.
How many turns should you do on compression fittings? Looking at the video you did half a turn to one turn after finger tight?
Any advice please? Thanks kind regards 👍
It's difficult to say, some people say 1/4 of a turn once finger tight, but I normally do a bit more than that. I have never had one leak - yet ;-)
As long as you use copper olives you won't go far wrong with a 1/4 to 1/2 turn.
Thanks for the comment
@@ultimatehandyman yeah using copper olives, ok think I go with a good half a turn. Thanks for speedy response, and excellent videos very helpful, kind regards 👍👍
Great video! Thanks
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment 👍
Nice job! Thanks
Thank you too!
👍
Great video
Thanks for the comment 👍
Thank you! That was a great video!
You are welcome
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Excellent video
Thanks for the comment
Jointing compound and plumbers reference guide on turns of cap nut plus that horrible squik will go away reducing stress on fitting !!!!!
Jointing compound is not recommended by the compression fitting manufacturers 😉
@@ultimatehandyman don't be put off by that mate.... Been using it for 40 years.
Very clear and informative. Thanks :-)
You are welcome
Thanks for the comment
Is it BSP thread. Is metric thread available for compression fittings?
They are normally BSP
Not sure if metric ones exist, in the UK at least.
Thanks good video esp the cut out
Thanks for the comment ;-)
great video!! thanks buddy
You are welcome.
Thanks for the comment
Hello,
So if you do over-tighten and damage the pipe and olive, would you expect the leak to manifest as soon as you pressurize the pipe? or would it develop over time?
I'd expect it to leak immediately.
Thanks for the comment 👍
@@ultimatehandyman Thanks for the prompt response.
Cheers.
👍
very informative, thanks
Thanks for the comment ;-)
thank you, simple and direct but informative!
You are welcome.
Thanks for the comment
When removing a compression fitting from a pipe connected to a cut off valve, is it recommended to replace the cut off valve?
No, not unless it is leaking.
Thanks for the comment 👍
I tightened the nut around 3/4 to 1 turn on a new valve with a new ferrule (olive). I noticed a small amount of metal shavings fell in my pan. The valve has been in use for over a week and hasn't leaked. I'm concerned that I overtightened it due to the metal shavings. I'm worried that it might pop off. Am I overthinking this or should I remove it an start over?
I'm sure it will be fine 👍
@@ultimatehandyman Thanks for the vote of confidence. Just to be sure, I'm going to have a plumber verify my work. I'm gun shy, since I had some water damage (mold) in my kitchen that cost me a lot back in August. A drain line cracked from stress over the years and did some significant damage by leaking over a long period of time. It took me 6 months to get it all fixed. There are labor shortages in the trades in the U.S. where I live. If that valve popped off while I'm asleep or when I'm away from home, it would flood my entire home. Having a pro look at this valve install would put my mind at ease just to be absolutely sure. Thanks again for your vote of confidence. 👍👍👍
@@ultimatehandyman Just an update on my valve install results. My pro plumber inspected my installation today, and he agrees with you. He said that I installed it just the way he would have. It's good! 👍👍👍 Thanks again for your comment and very helpful video, sir.
Can you install a compression fitting in a concealed wall (covered by plaster)?
I always try to avoid any joint being buried in a wall, just in case the joint ever leaks. Plastic pipes are also preferred, as they are not attacked by the plaster.
Thanks dude!
You are welcome.
Thanks for the comment
Might be worth mentioning the 3/4x22mm olive for UK watchers-unless I missed it.
+David Worsley No, I did not mention that. I have never come across any Imperial pipe for a long time. Is it still common? Thanks for the comment
Surprisingly so-it was used up to the 70s so I suppose so but I've been off the tools a good few years now so I'm probably not best qualified to answer-they were still selling them in B&Q last time I looked.
+David Worsley
Thanks, I have seen the fittings that go from 3/4 inch to 22mm but I did not know how much they were used. I would probably try and use a Philmac UTC if there was enough room to use one as they are brilliant fittings, especially for different pipe materials.
Thanks for the comment ;-)
***** What on earth is a PhilmacUTC?-Well,I bet you don't know what a 4U connector is.
+David Worsley
The Philmac UTC's (universal transitional coupling) are brilliant. They can be used to connect any pipe to any pipe, so for example MDPE to lead, or stainless steel etc.
ua-cam.com/video/_k5NS5Y-KHg/v-deo.html
You are right I do not know what a 4U connector is without looking it up ;-)
Thanks for the comment
Great video as always!! If the pipe has flux/solder which has dripped down the pipe, can you still fit the olive/compression fitting over it? Or do i need to remove the solder/flux - if so how do i do this? thanks in advance
No, you need to remove the solder, as the olive is a really tight fit.
Best way to remove the solder is to heat it using a blowtorch, then wipe the solder away using wire wool/damp cloth (being careful not to burn yourself).
If you don't have a blowtorch, you could use some abrasive paper, such as Emery cloth to remove the solder.
Hi mate, this is probably an obvious question....just in the process off plumbing in new copper pipework behind a wall for a shower.
Going to use compression fittings with several elbows on both hot and cold. Are compression the best and most reliable and if so would you use pfe tape on new fittings.... Any help would be appreciated.
John
I never use PTFE on compression fittings, but some people use a jointing compound.
The best and most reliable is a soldered fitting, I prefer solder ring fittings, but sometimes only compression is available, such as for the connections to the shower.
ua-cam.com/video/7zlDHA3KhLA/v-deo.html
I hope this helps ;-)
Yet people will still use these on brake lines....
Also, is that a Gedore ajustable wrench(the angular one you used first for the right way?)
Not sure what they use on brake lines, I've never worked on one.
No, all of my adjustable's are Bahco 👍
@@ultimatehandyman Bahco, good brand, but I can never find them in stock lol. Its why I got a Knipex.
@@RipRoaringGarage Knipex make some excellent tools ;-)
I see so many videos now of people wrapping PTFE around the olive, is this really required on new pipe work, olives and fittings? I can understand it on old pipe work.
Nope, you do not need PTFE tape or jointing compound on compression fittings, however if the fitting leaks you can wrap PTFE around the olive.
Thanks for the comment 👍
hmmm, my valve does not have a bevelled recess for the olive.
That's strange. What type of valve is it?
Is there a wrong direction for the Ferrell fitting
No, it does not matter which way it is installed.
Thanks for the comment 👍
AWESOME!
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Can you use a compression joint with lpg catering van
??
You can use compression fittings on LPG, they normally have a copper olive.
You might want to check though, to make sure you are allowed to do it yourself!
I’m not saying that you can or can’t- I know nothing about catering trailer regulations etc.
I like "olives" but i trust soldering!
You cannot beat soldering ;-)
Thanks for the comment
Hi ultimate handy man, what tool can I use to cut the compression nut like you did in the cut away? Thanks!
You can use a junior hacksaw, but you have to be careful not to nick the pipe. Most of the time you can saw 90% through the olive and then snap it using pliers 👍
You can buy dedicated olive cutters, but they are expensive, unless you will use it a lot.
Great! I have a question please , ,Can i use fiberglass cloth with J-B Weld Epoxy instead of bondo fiberglass resin ?
Because the fiberglass resin fumes is very toxic.
+Mr Cool No idea, sorry. These are products that I have never used!
So the purpose of the fitting people wont be sodering?
Yes, you do not need to solder a compression fitting. It seals when you tighten the compression nuts
Thanks for the comment 👍
Way better than SharkBite fittings.
Thanks for the comment
@@ultimatehandyman thank you 😊
Do you put Teflon on the threads?
No, it is not needed with compression fittings, as the olive does the sealing 👍
what's the difference between a compression fitting and an AN fitting
AN fittings use flared tubing. Compression fittings fit on the tube without flaring as the olive (called ferrule in some countries) is compressed onto the tube when the compression nut is tightened.
I thought the standard was tightened finger tight,then tighten 1/4 to 1/2 turn max ??
It depends. Really the manufacturers should specify a torque vale, but none of them seem to do so!
Thanks for the comment
Hello. Could I use this connector to connect a copper pipe with a PEX Pipe?
Yes, of course.
Just make certain that you use a pipe insert on the PEX pipe 👍
@@ultimatehandyman Thank you.
interesting video. .
+carot2003 Thanks for the comment ;-)
Hi can i use this to fix my pressure washer hose? If i cut in middle n use this will it hold the pressure?
No, these can only be used on rigid pipe, not flexible pipe!
Thanks for the comment 👍
@@ultimatehandyman thx so much your channel is great n nicely explained. Well dun m8
I always seem to have a leak or should I say a slight drip when using compression fittings why is this what am I not doing correctly,i do realise that putting PFA tape around the olive is a cure .if the pipe is not cut square or sit square in the joint be the problem?
It could be the length of the spanners that you are using. You can buy a specific spanner for compression fittings and its only about 7 inches long- so you do not get enough leverage with it.
I normally try and use something long like a 12" adjustable to get enough leverage to tighten it enough. I often use a large pair of water pump pliers to hold the fitting whilst I tighten the nut.
ua-cam.com/video/-9c5LWFI_M4/v-deo.html
Shaun Smith try to tighten the compression joint as tight as possible and see whether it still has a leak
after placing the nut and ferrule in copper tube,whether the nut or the threaded fitting to be tightened ?or which one kept stationary ?or both in opposit direction ?
Best to keep the fitting still and turn the nut if possible.
thanks handyman.,
You are welcome ;-)
Fine
Do compression fittings work for radiator pipes I need to chase to pipes to my radiator in the floor but I can't solder?
+Sean Walsh
Yes Sean, no problem at all. If they are copper you can just use them straight away, but if plastic pipe you need a pipe insert.
Thanks for the comment
hi. ches.how can one tell the difference between a copper olive and a brass olive? many thanks
+arfan jhangir The brass olives are yellow in colour, the copper ones are copper colour ( a reddish colour )Thanks for the comment
what happen if it used to fitted the 2 difference pipe diameter.
You can get compression fittings to reduce from a 22mm pipe to a 15mm pipe including elbows and T's etc.
Why are there olives made from copper and brass, and when is the correct time to use one or the other?
+hucks33 Different manufacturers supply different olives with the fittings. Personally I prefer copper olives as they are easier to compress, because copper is more ductile. I'd always use copper, unless I was stuck and only had a brass olive.
+hucks33 Fittings are supplied with brass olives simply because it's cheaper. I buy bags of copper olives from Screwfix and substitute the brass ones with them every time