Talk:Home Plumbing Connector Types

Is Galvanized Pipe Safe?

Although galvanized (zinc-coated) pipe is still considered to be a safe transport material for drinking water, there are some potential health concerns because this type of pipe tends to corrode over years of use.

Do not use galvanized pipe for natural gas or propane.

Quick Connect Connector - What are the Black Inserts For?

Watts Quick-Connect 35 Series products are designed and manufactured to be trouble free for many years of service life. 35 Series products are designed and manufactured in Polysulfone, a high performance thermal plastic material. Included with the quick connect are two small black inserts that look like plugs but are hollow (they do not stop the flow of water). The black insert may be used when using the cap with pex pipe but is not required. There are no flow restrictions with these fittings unless you use the pex insert. The optional insert provides support inside PEX tubing so that it does not collapse when the fitting is tightened.

sealing threaded connectors

On a threaded connector (any type) that screws into another fitting, sealant should be used. Pipe threads are tapered and actually are a mating surface. Thread "sealants" lubricate the threads so they fully seat. Compression fittings have a ferrule that mates and forms a seal. The threads on the compression nut are for pressing the ferrule firmly onto the other surface and preventing leaks. They should not need lubicants. The main problem I have seen with compression fittings is that while being installed, the ferrule is permitted to slide forward towards the fitting and does not seat correctly and the nut cannot pull it forward enough to seat properly.