What is the water tee for?

The device of the plumbing system in some cases involves a change in its direction or branching. In this case, a steel, cast iron tee is used for water supply when installing a line made of cast iron, steel or polymer fittings when installing a plastic water supply system.

Definition and purpose

The water tee is one of the types of fittings designed for completing, modernizing the water supply system. With the help of a cross or reinforcement (this is also sometimes called a tee), it is possible to change the direction of the line, take a separate branch from it and, if necessary, transfer part of the water supply from one diameter to another, as well as from the polymer part of the system to the metal one and vice versa. As an example, consider the need to supply water to a toilet bowl or washing machine.

Types of tees for water supply

Fittings are classified according to several parameters. First of all, products are distinguished according to the material of manufacture:

• Metal plumbing tees. Steel, cast iron, brass, bronze. The first two types are more often used for municipal construction of public highways. Steel and cast iron are durable, corrosion resistant. As a rule, these types of fittings are mounted by welding or flange connections. Brass and bronze fittings are more commonly used in private construction. Both materials are strong and durable. The brass tee is also versatile. It can be installed not only on a metal water supply system, but also on a plastic one.
• Polymeric. These fittings are used exclusively indoors for the installation of a water supply system made of PVC, HDPE or polypropylene pipes. They produce fittings from polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride. Plastic tees are easy to install, have a high rate of tightness and durability.

Metal fittings are produced in one of several ways - welding, hot stamping or hydrostamping. The workpiece is initially in the form of an electrically welded or seamless pipe. To decorate the ends of the reinforcement, use cutting machines or end machines.

According to the method of installation and connection, all tees are divided into the following types:

• Threaded. Fastened with internal or external thread.
• Welded. Only weldable. Moreover, it can be both metal fittings and polymer ones.
• Crimp. They are also called collet.
• Press fittings.
• Combined.

In terms of design features, specialists divide all fittings into the following types:

• Equal bore fitting. The tee has three outlets, all of the same cross-section.
• Transition fitting. Helps to branch the system by providing a different pipe diameter at one of the outlets. For example, the water supply to the washing machine can be carried out using a flexible hose with a smaller section than the entire water supply.
• Combined tees. They differ from the first two types by the presence of diverse threads at the outputs. There can be two outside and one inside.

Rebar diameters range from 15 mm to 1000 mm. You can choose a fitting for any pipe.

Special attention should be paid to the special adapter fitting with a tap. It allows you to simultaneously branch off the line and immediately have another water intake point. The constituent elements of the tee with a valve are a body, a ball valve, sealing rings, a union nut, a handle. Such fittings are placed on the water supply to washing household appliances.The main advantages of a fitting with a faucet are as follows:

• the ability to work at temperatures from -10 to +95 degrees;
• minimum weight - 100 g.;
• possible diameters of branch pipes 15 and 20 mm;
• designed to operate at system pressures up to 8 bar;
• the possibility of buying a tap with an internal or external thread, which provides maximum convenience to the master at the time of installation;
• long service life up to 4000 cycles.

The tee with a tap can be positioned at any convenient angle.

Criterias of choice

A master choosing a fitting for a water supply system pays attention to the following parameters:

• Manufacturing material. In most cases, it should match the material from which the water pipes are made. An exception is the lines consisting of both plastic and metal. Here they put a brass tee or a plastic tee with a special adapter.
• Fitting type depending on the purpose of installation. If branching of the system with equal diameters is assumed, take equal reinforcement. If one line of the water supply will have a smaller section, take a transition fitting. The combined one will help to mount a part of the water supply system with different types of material and connections.
• Connection method. The foreman determines which of the methods (welding, crimping, threading) is suitable for a particular case.
• The presence of the manufacturer's marking and GOST on the fitting. Since all the elements for the water supply system are subject to increased requirements for strength and tightness, they are produced in accordance with established standards. If there are no GOST markings on the product, it is better to refuse it.

In the store, be sure to ask for a sales receipt. On its basis, you can return an unsuitable tee or exchange for another.

Installation principles

The installation of a plumbing fitting depends on how it is attached. Fittings with a valve are mounted in the following sequence:

1. The system is completely shut off the water. This insures against leaks and emergencies along the riser.
2. Measure the length of the pipe to be removed under the tee. To do this, you need to measure the length of the fitting from one edge to the other without taking into account its thread. Under it you need to leave the ends of the pipes so as not to cut out too much.
3. The intended section of the system is removed.
4. Clamping nuts are put on the prepared parts.
5. It remains to install the tee and tighten it with nuts.

The last stage of the installation work is the connection of the flexible hose. It is screwed onto the threads of the third connector of the fitting. When installing the tee, you can use the FUM tape as a sealant.

The push-in fitting is installed as follows:

1. The pipe is cut at the intended place and the dents are trimmed using a calibrator. The cut should be made at an angle of 90 degrees to the axis of the water line.
2. Crimp rings and locknuts are put on the prepared sections of the tubes.
3. Pipes are inserted into fittings.
4. The place of contact between the tube and the nipple is tightened with a nut.

The press fitting is installed as follows:

1. Pipes are cut at the designated place and their gaps are leveled with a calibrator.
2. Put a tee on the ends of the line.
3. A sleeve is inserted into the crimp wrench.
4. They cover the section of the pipe with fittings with it and bring the handles of the tool to the stop. Thus, the key crushes the sleeve, due to which the fitting is fixed.

Massive tees designed for installation on central highways are mounted using bolts or using welding. In the first case, the fitting can be dismantled. In the second, this is unacceptable.