FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
Renovation Book Excerpts

Making Solderless Copper Connections

Making solderless copper connections has never been easier.

By Mike Litchfield
Pressing tools have changeable jaws, which are sized to fittings. Squeeze the tool’s trigger and its jaws will close tight, compressing the fitting.

Traditionally, joining copper pipe and fittings required soldered joints. Solderless copper systems, invented in Europe in the 1950s and introduced to the U.S. in the 1990s, have rapidly gained ground since then and are approved by all major codes and most states. 

There are two main types of solderless copper fittings: push-connect and press-connect. Both types offer a range of fittings, valves, and specialty items, and both feature rubber o-rings (gaskets) inside to create a positive watertight seal. Most push-connect types can be joined without tools and can be taken apart and reassembled; press-connect fittings, which require a special pressing tool, are permanent. 

Prepwork. Prep is the same for both push-connect and press-connect systems. Check pipe ends for damage, because pipes that are dented or out of round may not seat correctly in fittings. Look inside each fitting to make sure its rubber o-rings are intact. 

R5_CH12_7506
Press-connect solderless fittings have hubs that compress against rubber o-rings inside.

Use a felt-tipped pen to mark the correct seating depth onto the pipe. Use a tubing cutter to cut the pipe square, ream its inside to remove burrs, and chamfer or sand its outside so that a sharp pipe end doesn’t nick or slice the o-ring. 

Making connections. For push-connect fittings, push the pipe into the fitting until it seats. If the fitting can be disassembled, its manufacturer will provide a plastic disconnect clip that, when pushed against the fitting, unlocks a gripping ring inside the fitting. 

To join press-connect fittings, you’ll need a pressing tool, which has different sizes of jaws. Choose a pressing jaw appropriately sized for the fitting (for example, 1⁄2 in.). Place the pipe into the fitting, then place the tool’s pressing jaws over the bead (hub) of the fitting. Hold the jaws of the tool perpendicular to the tube/fitting and pull the trigger. When the pressing cycle is complete, release the pressing jaws and inspect the joint. 


This blog was adapted from Renovation 5th Edition (Taunton, 2019). A hefty 656 pages, R5 is a trove of pro tips and techniques that builders shared with me over four decades, plus roughly 1000 photos taken on job sites across North America. I hope you find it useful. – Mike

Sign up for eletters today and get the latest how-to from Fine Homebuilding, plus special offers.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Renovation Book Excerpts

View All
  • Planning and Acquiring Building Permits for Renovation Projects: A Simple Chart
  • Soundproofing: A Successful Hybrid Approach
  • Using Metal Studs to Level a Sloping Ceiling
  • How to Level an Exterior Doorsill
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

Forming Foundation Walls

In the first episode of FHB House Kansas, Travis and Joe of Catalyst Construction walk through details of their foundation walls.

Featured Video

A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance

The designer and builder of the 2018 Fine Homebuilding House detail why they chose mineral-wool batts and high-density boards for all of their insulation needs.

Related Stories

  • Podcast 480: PRO TALK With Painter-Remodelers Miquel and David McCarley
  • Podcast 477: Members-only Aftershow
  • Podcast 476: PRO TALK With Carpenter Caleb Carpenter
  • Why I Love Carpentry

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Podcast 480: PRO TALK With Painter-Remodelers Miquel and David McCarley
  • Podcast 477: Members-only Aftershow
  • Podcast 476: PRO TALK With Carpenter Caleb Carpenter
  • Podcast 474: PRO TALK With Production Manager Morgan Thomas
View All

Remodeling

View All Remodeling Articles
  • Podcast 477: Members-only Aftershow
    Podcast 477: Members-only Aftershow
  • Podcast 476: PRO TALK With Carpenter Caleb Carpenter
    Podcast 476: PRO TALK With Carpenter Caleb Carpenter
  • Kevin Ireton working on a door
    Why I Love Carpentry
  • Beth and her team in front of a Done Construction van
    Beth Pointer: General Contractor, Kitchen and Bath Remodels
View All Remodeling Articles

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in