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