The Top 5 Benefits of Using Press Fittings
For trade professionals, press fittings are an excellent solution for connecting pipe securely. But why use press fittings vs. weld fittings?
Press fittings offer many advantages over other methods. Installation and repair can take a fraction of the time while creating durable, secure connections, helping you complete more jobs every day.
Discover when they can be used, answers to frequently asked questions, and five ways your business can benefit by implementing press fittings into your projects.
What is a press fitting?
Press fittings are specially designed with ridges to align the stop lines and have an O-ring inside the fitting body as a secondary measure to secure the seal. You then use a press tool, which can be manual or hydraulic, to compress with the proper amount of force for a leak-free connection.
Training on the tool is fast, and press fittings allow you to press a joint in one step, as opposed to the skills and multiple steps you need for proper and safe handling of welding, soldering, and brazing materials.
Top five reasons to use press fittings
Securely connecting pipe is critical to the success of a project. Until recent years, tradespeople traditionally relied on welding, brazing, and soldering to complete connections.
While this is still a commonly used method for installing pipe systems, press fittings provide benefits that make them a better choice over welding or soldering in some instances. Here are the top five ways they can give your business an edge.
1. Press fittings can reduce installation time by 50% to 90% vs. welding.
With press fittings, the design and engineering happen more at the front end, before they ever arrive at the jobsite. The trade professional can simply use the specialized press tool to make connections in a fraction of the time that welding or soldering pipe takes.
Plus, operating pressing or crimping tools requires significantly less training than skilled welding, brazing, or soldering does. This makes press fittings an excellent labor-saving solution, especially when installing large-scale pipe systems with fewer fittings per pipe.
2. Press fittings create strong and secure connections.
Press tool operations vary by brand, but one thing that is consistent is the strength of connections. As long as the pipe is prepared correctly according to the press tool system manufacturer instructions, the joint will be as strong as a welded or soldered connection.
Many hydraulic press tools have an auto-cycle feature that only shuts off when the connection is complete, removing the potential for human error. There is no guessing whether pipe is fully joined or not.
Press vs. Weld vs. Solder
| Press Fittings | Weld Fittings | Solder (Sweat) Fittings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | Plumbing and HVAC • Steam, condensation • Gas distribution lines • Commercial/industrial • Irrigation systems | Plumbing and HVAC • High-temperature, high-pressure operations such as petrochemical, automotive, sanitation, and food processing • Plumbing and water treatment plants | Plumbing, refrigeration, and roofing • Mechanical and electronics • Supply and pressurized systems, including marine and industrial projects |
| Strengths | Faster installations and less downtime • Increased accuracy • Works even when pipe is wet • Fewer safety hazards—no heat or fumes • Less training required | More permanent and durable • Less complexity in materials means lower cost • Cost-effective for large installations that require more fittings to shorter tube lengths • Best for hygienic and sanitary applications | Durable and sturdy • Easier to separate and/or reconnect joints later or correct mistakes • Low materials cost • Can maneuver in tight spaces without creating bigger holes in walls • Wide range of compatible materials |
| Weaknesses | More complex materials create higher initial costs • Bacteria growth possible in gaps between the tube and fitting • Not suitable for all applications | Higher labor and skill requirements • Difficult to make modifications in the future • Potential for defects and human error • Can't be used on wet pipe, requiring system shutdown | Higher labor and skill requirements • More vulnerable to vibrations that could cause joint to fail • Can’t be used on wet pipe • Potential for human error and defects in soldering materials |
Press fitting doesn’t eliminate the need for welding across all applications, but assessing the benefits of press fitting and welding for different parts of your project can help trim the budget.
3. Using press fittings is safer than welding, soldering, and brazing.
Press fittings offer additional jobsite safety because no heat or flame is needed to make connections, reducing the risk of injury on the job.
Also, compared to welding and soldering, using a press tool requires less safety gear, which can save even more. But remember, always use appropriate protective apparel and follow manufacturer guidelines for operating equipment.
4. Press fittings suit multiple applications.
Because press fittings are available in copper, stainless steel, carbon steel, and their alloys, they work with virtually any pipe system made of those materials. This makes them suitable for use in a variety of applications.
From gas, petroleum, and corrosives to steam and potable water, it’s likely that there is an appropriate press fitting solution for your project.
5. Press fittings enable fast repairs.
Another important benefit of press fittings is that these connections can be completed even if the pipe system is wet, unlike with welding, soldering, and brazing. This eliminates the need to shut down a pipe system to perform maintenance.
Because operations won’t be interrupted if repairs need to be made, press fittings are a good option for use in commercial and industrial facilities.
Frequently asked questions about press fittings
Get details about press fittings and answers to common questions.
Q. What is the difference between copper crimp fittings and press fittings?
A. The terms crimp and press fittings are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are different methods to secure fittings. Press fittings are specially designed by the manufacturer so you can simply slide them in and use the corresponding press tool to connect at the right pressure. It’s fast and simple, without much room for user error.
For crimp fittings, you’ll need to buy the appropriate ring to “crimp” around the connections and then double-check the seal with a gauge. This means installation goes slower, which is a downside especially for trade pros who need to finish jobs quickly and accurately.
Q. How does pressing differ from soldering or welding?
A. Soldering and welding both use heat or flame to join pipe but in different ways. Welding connects two similar metals, using high heat to melt and create a strong bond. Soldering can connect different materials and doesn’t melt the pipe or fitting—instead, the solder itself reaches a high temperature to bond with the pipe. Soldering can be less durable than welding.
Press fitting doesn’t use heat at all; the specially designed fittings press together using the tool to create a leak-free seal.
Q. How do press fittings benefit pipe fitters, HVAC contractors, and plumbing professionals?
A. Because press fittings allow you to make connections safely and quickly, trade professionals can finish many more jobs in the course of a day and move on to the next. They also allow you to get into tighter spaces, without all the tools other methods need, and work in areas that may not have the proper ventilation needed for welding and soldering fumes.
Q. Is it difficult to learn how to use press fittings?
A. Press fittings and tools are incredibly easy to use with very little training ahead of time. The fittings are manufactured with stop lines, O-rings, and sometimes pre-lubrication so you simply need to fit them together properly and press with the proper tool.
Q. Can you use press fittings on gas lines?
A. Yes, with press fittings that have the proper seal for gas. The strong, durable press fitting connection is suitable for natural gas applications.
Partner with Ferguson for press fittings
Ferguson is your source for the latest in press fitting technology. Our offering of quality press tools and fittings from leading brands makes us the trade professional’s choice for pipe connection solutions. Compare top-rated press fittings and tools in our vast online inventory today.