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How tight should PVC accessories be

Updated:2020-01-03
Summary:

One of the most common concerns about PVC fittings plas […]

One of the most common concerns about PVC fittings plastic valve is how tight they should be. Is there really is such a thing as “too tight” when it comes to turning PVC fittings together?It's important to tighten fittings correctly, and there often is a “just right” when it comes to tightening them. If your fittings aren’t tightened enough, they have the potential to leak. On the other hand, if fittings are tightened too much, there's the potential for breakage of the fitting itself, which can cause leakages. Learning how to correctly tighten a PVC fitting helps ensure a tight seal with no damage of the fitting itself, which in turn leads to an extended life for your fitting.

Threaded PVC fittings sometimes get a bad rap because they're considered weaker than other types of connections. However, many mistakes in installing threaded PVC fittings are due to user error. Luckily, there are a number of different tricks that can help ensure your threaded PVC fittings are tightened correctly.First things first, it is important to understand how different threaded PVC fittings work. PVC fittings consist of two parts: a male end and a female end. The male end of the PVC fitting is threaded on the outside, and the threads are tapered. This means that the threads increase in size as they go down the fitting.

The female end is meant to be the opposite of the male end, meaning the threads on the female end of the PVC fittings are located on the inside, and are tapered to become smaller as they go.The fact that the threads on PVC fittings are tapered is actually a significant part of the design of the fitting. The tapered design is what's responsible for the tight seal PVC fittings can achieve. Additional turns of the fitting cause the female threads to stretch, however. This stretching puts strain on the threads, and if tightened too much, there's a chance the threading can split or break. This is why it is important to remember not to over-tighten PVC fittings.

Now, when it comes to PVC fittings, the work begins before the two ends actually meet.  it is important to wipe down your threads to ensure they are free of debris, and then apply a PVC thread sealant. The sealant you choose should be specially formulated for use with PVC and other plastics. If the wrong sealant is placed on the threads, there is a chance the PVC will become damaged and the seal will not hold. Once the sealant is applied to your threads, insert the male end into the female fitting.Once the pieces are together, tighten the connection by hand slowly until the fitting will not turn any more. At this point, you can use a wrench to complete one or two more turns. Do not tighten your fitting past this point. If fittings continue to be tightened after one to two wrench turns, there is a chance the threads within the fitting will not connect correctly, allowing the possibility of a leak within the fitting.

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