Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

Hello:

Have done a fair amount of home plumbing type of work, but, surprisingly,
have never had need to use a "union".

Have to run a line from a washing machine water outlet to the machine, and
for various reasons, before I get to the hose itself, I could use a Union in
the rigid section to provide some angularity adjustment, as well as the
removable advantage they provide.

Have looked at them at HD, and frankly they make me very nervous.

What's your experience with these things.
e.g.,

Once you snug them up, do they tend to stay that way ?

Reason i'm asking is that there is no elasticity in the union coupling
itself, so it seems to me that if the threads back off, even a very small
amount, there will be leakage thru the ground and polished seat where the
two pieces actually come together.

Any thoughts on this ?
Safe to use ? Proven in practice pretty well ?

Are there any other types, or brands, besides the HD ones that are perhaps
of better quality ?

Thanks,
Bob

Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Have done a fair amount of home plumbing type of work, but, surprisingly,
have never had need to use a "union".

Have to run a line from a washing machine water outlet to the machine, and
for various reasons, before I get to the hose itself, I could use a Union
in the rigid section to provide some angularity adjustment, as well as the
removable advantage they provide.

Have looked at them at HD, and frankly they make me very nervous.

What's your experience with these things.
e.g.,

Once you snug them up, do they tend to stay that way ?

Reason i'm asking is that there is no elasticity in the union coupling
itself, so it seems to me that if the threads back off, even a very small
amount, there will be leakage thru the ground and polished seat where the
two pieces actually come together.

Any thoughts on this ?
Safe to use ? Proven in practice pretty well ?

Are there any other types, or brands, besides the HD ones that are perhaps
of better quality ?

Thanks,
Bob


They work. Never had a problem when installing a new one. Minor problems
when re-using an elderly one. Even then in most cases nothing a little pipe
dope would not solve.

Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

Robert11 wrote:
Hello:

Have done a fair amount of home plumbing type of work, but, surprisingly,
have never had need to use a "union".

Have to run a line from a washing machine water outlet to the machine, and
for various reasons, before I get to the hose itself, I could use a Union in
the rigid section to provide some angularity adjustment, as well as the
removable advantage they provide.

Have looked at them at HD, and frankly they make me very nervous.

What's your experience with these things.
e.g.,

Once you snug them up, do they tend to stay that way ?

Reason i'm asking is that there is no elasticity in the union coupling
itself, so it seems to me that if the threads back off, even a very small
amount, there will be leakage thru the ground and polished seat where the
two pieces actually come together.

Any thoughts on this ?
Safe to use ? Proven in practice pretty well ?

Are there any other types, or brands, besides the HD ones that are perhaps
of better quality ?

Thanks,
Bob



A union won't give you any angle adjustment.
And the threads won't simply loosen on their own;
the nuts get tightened with 2 big pipe wrenches.

Why don't you go into more detail with exactly
what you're trying to do.

Does "washing machine water outlet" mean a threaded
hose connector?

Would some form of hose quick-connect suit your needs?

Jim

Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

In article , "Robert11" wrote:
Hello:

Have done a fair amount of home plumbing type of work, but, surprisingly,
have never had need to use a "union".
[...]
Any thoughts on this ?
Safe to use ? Proven in practice pretty well ?

Unions are absolutely standard equipment in hooking up natural gas appliances
(have a look at the line to a NG water heater, for example). Typical
arrangement is
supply pipe -- shutoff valve -- union -- short pipe -- appliance.

That good enough for ya?

Are there any other types, or brands, besides the HD ones that are perhaps
of better quality ?

Undoubtedly. The fittings sold at HD are IMO pretty much the bottom of the
barrel, and you'll almost certainly find higher quality at a plumbing supply
shop.

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

It's time to throw all their damned tea in the harbor again.

Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

Robert11 wrote:
Hello:

Have done a fair amount of home plumbing type of work, but, surprisingly,
have never had need to use a "union".

Have to run a line from a washing machine water outlet to the machine, and
for various reasons, before I get to the hose itself, I could use a Union in
the rigid section to provide some angularity adjustment, as well as the
removable advantage they provide.

Have looked at them at HD, and frankly they make me very nervous.

What's your experience with these things.
e.g.,

Once you snug them up, do they tend to stay that way ?

Reason i'm asking is that there is no elasticity in the union coupling
itself, so it seems to me that if the threads back off, even a very small
amount, there will be leakage thru the ground and polished seat where the
two pieces actually come together.

Any thoughts on this ?
Safe to use ? Proven in practice pretty well ?

Are there any other types, or brands, besides the HD ones that are perhaps
of better quality ?

Thanks,
Bob



Union provides no more angular adjustment than a coupling. If you want
adjustability, use several back-to-back 45 or 22 degree ells.

Best regards,
Bob

Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Have done a fair amount of home plumbing type of work, but, surprisingly,
have never had need to use a "union".

Have to run a line from a washing machine water outlet to the machine, and
for various reasons, before I get to the hose itself, I could use a Union
in the rigid section to provide some angularity adjustment, as well as the
removable advantage they provide.

Have looked at them at HD, and frankly they make me very nervous.

What's your experience with these things.
e.g.,

Once you snug them up, do they tend to stay that way ?

Reason i'm asking is that there is no elasticity in the union coupling
itself, so it seems to me that if the threads back off, even a very small
amount, there will be leakage thru the ground and polished seat where the
two pieces actually come together.

Any thoughts on this ?
Safe to use ? Proven in practice pretty well ?

Are there any other types, or brands, besides the HD ones that are perhaps
of better quality ?

Thanks,
Bob
Unions are fine If you are going from Iron to copper you need a dielectric
union. Also when installing one coat the threads with pipe dope if a non
dielectric also coat the face, don't be afraid to tighten them. A union
should always be accessible. What I like better is a Left/Right nipple witch
also are made for dielectric use. Now if you want some flexibility buy a
flex hose. Basically pipe threads on the end of a stainless hose, They also
make a copper sweat flex. If this is going to be something you see
disconnecting now and then start off with a ball valve.

Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

They've been used for scores of years. With threaded iron plumbing, they
were a must. Yes, they work. And yes, they stay seated. Can you imagine a
water heater hooked up without them? Or a water softener? What a pain that
would be.

--
Steve Barker



"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Have done a fair amount of home plumbing type of work, but, surprisingly,
have never had need to use a "union".

Have to run a line from a washing machine water outlet to the machine, and
for various reasons, before I get to the hose itself, I could use a Union
in the rigid section to provide some angularity adjustment, as well as the
removable advantage they provide.

Have looked at them at HD, and frankly they make me very nervous.

What's your experience with these things.
e.g.,

Once you snug them up, do they tend to stay that way ?

Reason i'm asking is that there is no elasticity in the union coupling
itself, so it seems to me that if the threads back off, even a very small
amount, there will be leakage thru the ground and polished seat where the
two pieces actually come together.

Any thoughts on this ?
Safe to use ? Proven in practice pretty well ?

Are there any other types, or brands, besides the HD ones that are perhaps
of better quality ?

Thanks,
Bob

From OP: Lubricate Faces With ? Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

Hello all,

Thanks for all the information, and time to help me out.
Appreciate it.

Just one quick follow-up, please:

What type of Grease, or other lubricant, should the mating faces be lightly
coated
with prior to assembly ? Any reasons not to (water usage) ?

Thanks,
Bob
--------------------------

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Have done a fair amount of home plumbing type of work, but, surprisingly,
have never had need to use a "union".

Have to run a line from a washing machine water outlet to the machine, and
for various reasons, before I get to the hose itself, I could use a Union
in the rigid section to provide some angularity adjustment, as well as the
removable advantage they provide.

Have looked at them at HD, and frankly they make me very nervous.

What's your experience with these things.
e.g.,

Once you snug them up, do they tend to stay that way ?

Reason i'm asking is that there is no elasticity in the union coupling
itself, so it seems to me that if the threads back off, even a very small
amount, there will be leakage thru the ground and polished seat where the
two pieces actually come together.

Any thoughts on this ?
Safe to use ? Proven in practice pretty well ?

Are there any other types, or brands, besides the HD ones that are perhaps
of better quality ?

Thanks,
Bob

Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

"Sacramento Dave" wrote in message
.. .

"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Have done a fair amount of home plumbing type of work, but, surprisingly,
have never had need to use a "union".

Have to run a line from a washing machine water outlet to the machine,
and for various reasons, before I get to the hose itself, I could use a
Union in the rigid section to provide some angularity adjustment, as well
as the removable advantage they provide.

Have looked at them at HD, and frankly they make me very nervous.

What's your experience with these things.
e.g.,

Once you snug them up, do they tend to stay that way ?

Reason i'm asking is that there is no elasticity in the union coupling
itself, so it seems to me that if the threads back off, even a very small
amount, there will be leakage thru the ground and polished seat where the
two pieces actually come together.

Any thoughts on this ?
Safe to use ? Proven in practice pretty well ?

Are there any other types, or brands, besides the HD ones that are
perhaps of better quality ?

Thanks,
Bob
Unions are fine If you are going from Iron to copper you need a dielectric
union. Also when installing one coat the threads with pipe dope if a non
dielectric also coat the face, don't be afraid to tighten them. A union
should always be accessible. What I like better is a Left/Right nipple
witch also are made for dielectric use. Now if you want some flexibility
buy a flex hose. Basically pipe threads on the end of a stainless hose,
They also make a copper sweat flex. If this is going to be something you
see disconnecting now and then start off with a ball valve.


You can also go from iron/steel to copper with a brass valve eliminating the
need for a dielectric union/nipple if that would be more appropriate.You can
also purchase 3 piece valves so the valve itself acts as a union,valve,and
dielectric connection.Would be hard to say without seeing the install
location.

From OP: Lubricate Faces With ? Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

"Robert11" wrote in message
. ..
Hello all,

Thanks for all the information, and time to help me out.
Appreciate it.

Just one quick follow-up, please:

What type of Grease, or other lubricant, should the mating faces be
lightly coated
with prior to assembly ? Any reasons not to (water usage) ?

Thanks,
Bob
--------------------------

I would use Rectorseal pipe dope it's just acting more like a lubricant .
Were ever the metal rubes or threads you want to coat. If you get to much on
it's just to wipe off after assembly. I don't know what the line is hooking
to but before you install a valve or whatever run some water threw the line
to get any debris out.

From OP: Lubricate Faces With ? Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

On Jan 28, 7:44 am, "Sacramento Dave" wrote:
"Robert11" wrote in messagenews:XaqdnS1KdLHnCCHYnZ2dnUVZ_ternZ2d@comca st.com...

Hello all,

Thanks for all the information, and time to help me out.
Appreciate it.

Just one quick follow-up, please:

What type of Grease, or other lubricant, should the mating faces be
lightly coated
with prior to assembly ? Any reasons not to (water usage) ?

Thanks,
Bob
-------------------------- I would use Rectorseal pipe dope it's just acting more like a lubricant .
Were ever the metal rubes or threads you want to coat. If you get to much on
it's just to wipe off after assembly. I don't know what the line is hooking
to but before you install a valve or whatever run some water threw the line
to get any debris out.

Just my experience here. I don't know what the _official_ stance is
on it.

I have _never_ applied any kind of pipe dope, lubricant or anything
else to the mating faces. On the threads, yes. The mating faces do
not slide across one another when intalling so don't need
'lubricant'. Sealer? Not in my experience. I have had leaks in just
about any type joint normally found in a house but never in a union.

Harry K

Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

By angle adjustment, I think he meant that the pipes on each size can rotate
with respect to each other.

Bill

"zxcvbob" wrote in message
...
Robert11 wrote:
Hello:

Have done a fair amount of home plumbing type of work, but, surprisingly,
have never had need to use a "union".

Have to run a line from a washing machine water outlet to the machine,
and for various reasons, before I get to the hose itself, I could use a
Union in the rigid section to provide some angularity adjustment, as well
as the removable advantage they provide.

Have looked at them at HD, and frankly they make me very nervous.

What's your experience with these things.
e.g.,

Once you snug them up, do they tend to stay that way ?

Reason i'm asking is that there is no elasticity in the union coupling
itself, so it seems to me that if the threads back off, even a very small
amount, there will be leakage thru the ground and polished seat where the
two pieces actually come together.

Any thoughts on this ?
Safe to use ? Proven in practice pretty well ?

Are there any other types, or brands, besides the HD ones that are
perhaps of better quality ?

Thanks,
Bob

Union provides no more angular adjustment than a coupling. If you want
adjustability, use several back-to-back 45 or 22 degree ells.

Best regards,
Bob

From OP: Lubricate Faces With ? Plumbing Union/Coupling Question
 

On Jan 28, 10:58 am, "Harry K" wrote:
On Jan 28, 7:44 am, "Sacramento Dave" wrote:





"Robert11" wrote in messagenews:XaqdnS1KdLHnCCHYnZ2dnUVZ_ternZ2d@comca st.com...

Hello all,

Thanks for all the information, and time to help me out.
Appreciate it.

Just one quick follow-up, please:

What type of Grease, or other lubricant, should the mating faces be
lightly coated
with prior to assembly ? Any reasons not to (water usage) ?

Thanks,
Bob
-------------------------- I would use Rectorseal pipe dope it's just acting more like a lubricant .
Were ever the metal rubes or threads you want to coat. If you get to much on
it's just to wipe off after assembly. I don't know what the line is hooking
to but before you install a valve or whatever run some water threw the line
to get any debris out.Just my experience here. I don't know what the _official_ stance is
on it.

I have _never_ applied any kind of pipe dope, lubricant or anything
else to the mating faces. On the threads, yes. The mating faces do
not slide across one another when intalling so don't need
'lubricant'. Sealer? Not in my experience. I have had leaks in just
about any type joint normally found in a house but never in a union.

Harry K- Hide quoted text -- Show quoted text -


Agree. I'd just put some pipe dope on the threads.