Are Female PVC Adapters/Couplings Junk?

jakkwylde · Jul 15, 2009

Are Female PVC Adapters/Couplings Junk? (contains pictures)

Just looking for feedback on your experience with female pvc adapters and if they are typically not reliable. I had one split and bust on me last week that was threaded over my backflow preventer and hooked to a 1" pvc pipe from there. The plumber since replaced it with a brass one although I'm nervous about the assembly breaking again and flooding my basement.

Below are pictures of my current setup going to my pressure tank with arrows pointing to where the pvc adapter that split used to be. Should I be concerned about this or is this a reliable setup?

C NUMB · Jul 15, 2009

I stopped using standard CPVC FIP adaptors a few years back due to splitting. The ones we use now have a SS band on them and have not had any problems since.

Sponsor · 2022-01-29T12:20:58-0800

jakkwylde · Jul 15, 2009

when the adapters split, is it common for them to split the pipe too, that's what happened in my case

C NUMB · Jul 15, 2009

Yes, it will also split the pipe. I see in the pics that PVC male adaptors were used into brass females, that is better than using the PVC females.

jakkwylde · Jul 15, 2009

thanks, sounds like i'm in better shape and this should be solid. after having water flooding my basement i just want to make sure it doesn't happen again and this should be reliable!

hj · Jul 16, 2009

adapters

Female plastic adapters will split if corrosion creates an internal pressure on the thread, but male adapters will also crack if they have any lateral stress on them.

Gary Swart · Jul 16, 2009

I'm going to beg the question. Why on earth are you using PVC in the first place? PVC generally is not permitted indoors, and frankly the installation looks pretty tacky. There's nothing wrong with measuring and making corners at least look square. If you are using PVC instead of copper to save money, I think you are penny wise and pound foolish. For no more copper than you need, it would not be that much more money, and copper isn't that much more difficult to install. Sorry if this seems blunt and insulting, but that's what I see.

jakkwylde · Jul 16, 2009

gary - this was installed by a local plumber. i understand it likely isn't really pretty, but after the original female adapter (now brass) split I was paranoid about something breaking again and was looking to see if this was more reliable.

Jadnashua · Jul 16, 2009

Iron pipe thread (the likely thread on the fittings) is tapered. SO, the tighter you screw it, the more pressure you are putting on the fitting (and whatever is inside it) as if you were using a wedge into a log. Then, add expansion and contraction with temperature changes and if it is too tight, or any imperfection at all, it can break.

Terry · Jul 16, 2009

I can't legally use a female PVC fitting.
The inspector would turn it down.

Same with CPVC too.

jakkwylde · Jul 16, 2009

terry, why would they turn it down?

hj · Jul 17, 2009

female

They turn them down for the very reasons we have been describing why they split. And a female adapter can NEVER be legally screwed on to a metal connection.

Are Female PVC Adapters/Couplings Junk?

jakkwylde

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