Arrangement of internal and external sewerage is impossible without the use of various types of tees. With their help, you can change the slope of the pipes, make additional branching of the line, switch from one diameter to another, change the direction.
Definition and purpose of tees for sewer pipes
The sewer system, both internal and external, does not only consist of pipes. For proper installation, fittings are required to ensure that the line meets the specifications. Most construction companies and individuals use plastic for sewage, so the industry offers a wide variety of tees to help make the system stable and safe.
The advantages of plastic products:
- light weight - all work can be performed without the involvement of heavy construction equipment;
- ease of installation - parts are equipped with special joints that do not require additional use of any materials;
- plastic is resistant to rust formation, therefore it lasts a long time;
- plaque is not deposited on the inner walls, which allows you to save on frequent preventive measures;
- low cost of products.
Without buying tees, it is possible to equip only a straight line - without turns and branches, which does not allow it to be used comfortably.
In shops and building supermarkets, you can find parts for cast iron or steel sewers, but other methods of connection are needed to use them, for example, welding. The principle of operation and purpose of cast iron or steel fittings is the same as for a plastic system.
Types of tees for sewage
In the construction of a sewer main, the following types of fittings are used:
- Straight. They got their name because they are used for horizontal and vertical sections with an angle of inclination of 90 degrees. It is an integral element that is used in every system.
- Inclined tees. Needed for the organization of the drain at an angle of 45 degrees. Most sought after in indoor systems to prevent potential blockages.
- Inspection couplings are installed to facilitate the cleaning of pipes in particularly complex wiring. If a blockage is still formed, the master removes the plug and cleans the area with a cable.
- Equal tees are required where the pipe splits. At the same time, the diameter is preserved, but an additional line of the line appears.
- Multi-bore fittings. If the diameter of the pipe in the internal sewage system is 50 mm, and in the external one is 110, then it is necessary to conveniently connect these two structural elements. In this case, a part is selected that has a different diameter for connection in order to dock the internal and external sewers.
The number of tees is calculated in advance, during the design of the system, in order to purchase the required number and configuration of parts along with the pipes based on the documentation.
Manufacturing material
The most common materials that are used for the construction of a private or city sewage system:
- steel;
- cast iron;
- plastic;
- ceramics;
- asbestos cement;
- corrugated pipes.
The advantage of stainless steel tees is that the material tolerates negative environmental influences well, has a type of connection in which pipe divergence and leaks are excluded. Steel with a stainless coating does not corrode for a long time, therefore it does not affect the quality of water. It is used in catering establishments, as it has a long service life.
Plastic tees are lighter in weight and cheaper to manufacture, but rival steel or cast iron tees in strength. With the help of plastic, you can dock the internal sewage system, made of polymers, and the external cast-iron main. This will require additional materials to prevent leakage. This method is practiced in apartment buildings. You can choose polymer pipes for pressure and non-pressure sewer systems to withstand the pressure inside when the pump is running. For this, there are different types of plastic - several types of polyethylene, polypropylene, metal-plastic.
Ceramic fittings have been in service for over 100 years from the date of installation. They are resistant to temperature extremes and external mechanical influences, therefore, they are more durable in operation than ordinary polymer or cast iron. The inner surface is smooth, almost without roughness, which ensures a high flow rate. It is rarely necessary to clean the inside of the pipes, since there is no adhesion of organic particles. The material is chemically neutral - it is not damaged in contact with acids and alkalis. Ceramic tees are suitable for connecting ceramic pipes in the desired configuration. The dense structure protects the environment from the contents of the sewer.
Asbestos cement is a material that is used for pressure and non-pressure structures. Asbestos-cement fittings and pipes are the cheapest of all available on the market, therefore they are suitable for arranging a budget sewage system in a private house or summer cottage.
Cast iron is the most common material in older buildings, so repairs are sometimes required. For this, the industry produces various types of tees. For installation, welding or the socket method is used - it depends on what kind of connection the parts will have.
Fittings for corrugated pipes are made in two layers, that is, they are similar in structure to the main parts. The main type of connection is a socket.
Connection type
The following types of connections are used in the installation:
- bell-shaped;
- welding;
- couplings with clamps;
- thread;
- adhesive connection.
The bell is the most reliable and durable method. The fitting has an extension into which the pipe is inserted. Additional seals can be used - rubber or rags. The flow must be in the direction of the flare so that no blockages occur.
Welding is used in steel structures, cast iron or polymer. When combining polymers, this method provides complete sealing, which makes it possible to connect a pump for transporting wastewater. The limitation is the high internal pressure that can break through the junction. For high-pressure lines, more durable types of polymers are used.
Couplings with metal clamps - this method involves joining with additional devices, in which the end of the pipe enters the coupling and is reinforced with a bracket. During operation, a divergence of metal elements may occur, which will entail a depressurization of the line.
For the adhesive connection, a special compound is used, which is usually sold complete with fittings. There are a number of rules that must be followed in order for the connection to withstand the load. Typically, this method is used in gravity systems.
The thread is used for all materials except asbestos and ceramics. Basically, the threaded connection is used for lightweight structures.
Tees dimensions
Large tees are rarely used in domestic sewers. These are usually 50, 110 and 160 mm in diameter. The configuration depends on the pipe section to be connected, for example when connecting a 50 mm diameter outlet pipe to a 110 mm outdoor system.
Large sizes of sewer tees are necessary for the construction of an urban system or an apartment building. For these purposes, parts with a section of 400 and 500 mm are produced.
Installation work rules
You can carry out work on the installation of a plumbing sewer tee yourself, but take into account the tips:
- For horizontal installations, 45 degree tees are recommended to reduce the risk of blockage. Straight through parts are not used.
- Take into account the direction of flow and the installation of the socket - it must point in the direction from which the liquid is flowing.
- Parts with a diameter exceeding 50 mm are additionally mounted on the wall with vertical wiring.
- Leave the old rubber in place when replacing the O-rings. To make the parts fit better, they are lubricated with liquid soap.
Plastic parts are easiest to connect because they are lighter in weight and do not require assistance. For trimming, it is better to use a fine-toothed metal hacksaw to reduce damage to the edge of the pipe. After that, the end is smoothed with sandpaper. Further, the connection is assembled according to the scheme.
To assemble a sewer section using a tee by welding, you need to prepare additional devices that heat the ends of the plastic, after which they are connected and held for 20 seconds.
Cost of sewer tees
The cheapest parts for sewerage are plastic and asbestos-cement. They are followed in terms of cost by cast iron, stainless steel, and ceramics. The price depends on the amount of consumables, as well as on the configuration of the product. The larger the diameter and the more complex the design, the more expensive the fitting will cost.
An inclined tee with a cross section of 50 mm will cost 150 rubles. A PVC fitting with a diameter of 500 mm will cost about 2,000 rubles.
Arrangement of an external sewage system will cost more due to materials that have a higher density, are more resistant to mechanical stress and environmental conditions. In general, parts and pipes for external wiring are higher in cost than those of the same size, but intended for internal work.
