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Making Connections

When you go to add or replace plumbing lines in a house that’s more than 10 years old, chances are you won’t find new pipes that are the same kind as the old ones. That’s no big deal—hardware stores and home centers carry hundreds of different kinds of transitional fittings to help you make the connections. What is a big deal is that those hundreds of different kinds of pipe fittings don’t all install the same way.

Some fittings need to be soldered; others take just a wrench or pliers. Several require specific crimping tools, and there are newer styles that simply push together. We asked a master plumber how he deals with the ones he encounters the most, but don’t run all over town trying to find the exact fittings we show here. There are usually several suitable solutions using parts available at a local hardware store or home center.

Required Tools

Have the necessary tools for this DIY project lined up before you start—you’ll save time and frustration.

• Cinch clamp tool
• 4-in-1 screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench
• Pipe wrench
• Plumbers tape
• Slip joint pliers
• Tube cutter
• Wire brush
• Wrench set

Required Materials

Avoid last-minute shopping trips by having all your materials ready ahead of time. Here’s a list.

• Couplings and fittings
• Pipe adapters
• Pipe dope
• Pipe glue
• Solder and flux

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Icemaker line, Compression tee body

Installing a brass compression tee body is a good way to provide water to your refrigerator’s icemaker. Although the brass ferrule seals the copper pipes to the tee, Les still uses a little pipe dope on the ferrule to assist in even compression. Many municipalities don’t allow 1/4-in. icemaker lines to be covered by finished walls, floors or ceilings, so you may have to run a 1/2-in. line to the fridge instead.