Some common plumbing fittings and heating components identified
Fittings…………..
…..Compression fittings for copper pipe
The ring that fits around the pipe is called an olive and the nut when tighten, compresses it to the pipe sealing the joint. They can be used with jointing compounds, use the correct type for potable water, do not over tighten the nut.
…….End feed capillary fittings
Solder is feed into these fittings at the end of the joint, use unleaded solder for potable water. Other types of capillary fittings have an integral solder ring that melts when heated but the joint is the same.
…….Push fit plastic fittings
Plastic push fit fittings for use in hot and cold supplies and heating systems. They can be used with either the manufacturer’s pipe or copper pipe. Stainless steel inserts should be placed into the end of the plastic pipe before its insertion into the fitting. Not all types are demountable.
…...Plastic solvent weld waste fittings and trap
Solvent weld (glued) waste fittings can not be dismantled. The trap or U-bend has several screwed joints that can be disconnected to un-block etc.
Valves……………….
……..Ball valve
Ball valves are found in roof tanks and w.c. cisterns. This one is of brass and would usually be used in a roof tank, plastic types are more commonly found in w.c. cisterns. It is generally as quick and easy to change a roof tank ball valve as it is to re-washer it.
………Stopcock
This is the thing you need to locate and check that it works just in case there is a plumbing emergency. It is often located under the kitchen sink.
………Gate valve and service valve
The gate valve is the larger of the two, the one with the red handle, it’s usually used on low pressure pipe work as when it is fully open it offers little resistance to the flow of the water. There’s probably one in your airing cupboard to shut off the cold water feed to the hot water cylinder. The chrome service valve is used to isolate individual taps, WC cisterns etc use a wide bladed screw driver to turn it on and off.
Heating…………
…….Thermostatic radiator valve
The thermostatic radiator valve is used to control room temperature by sensing the air temperature at the valve head. A phial in the head expands as it heads gradually closing the valve and restricting the flow of water to the radiator.
………Diverter valve
The diverter valve is a motorized automatic control for use in a fully pumped central heating system. It directs the water from the boiler and pump to either the heating circuit or hot water cylinder depending on the demand for heat from the programmer, room thermostat and cylinder thermostat.
……..Pump
This is the heart of the central heating system. Water circulates around the heating circuit and the hot water circuit in fully pumped systems only if the pump is working. If thermostats are satisfied the pump stops circulating and the system cools, switched on again when thermostats call for heat.
David Kearns © 2004