What Adapter For

Pipe and fittings

Telling pipe types, sizes and threads apart, push-fit fittings, and shutoff valves for bare pipe.

What pipe do I have?A magnet and a coin tell most pipes apart, then the print and the joints. Is it 1/2" or 3/4" pipe?Copper and PEX or PVC and threaded: the widths to look for. Pipe thread sizeMeasure across the threads and count them, 1/4" to 1". SharkBite fittingsPush-fit fittings take copper, PEX and CPVC, but not PVC or galvanized. Connecting different pipeThe fitting that joins PEX, copper, CPVC, PVC and galvanized pipe. PEX to copperA push-to-connect coupling, or a brass PEX x copper adapter. Galvanized to copperA dielectric union or brass fitting, as the codes require. PVC to copperA transition coupling: PVC is wider than copper of the same size. Water heater connections3/4" NPT hot and cold on residential tank heaters; the connector's other end matches your pipe. Shutoff valve for 1/2" copper1/2" nominal compression x 3/8" compression. Shutoff valve for 1/2" PEXCrimp, expansion or push-connect, to match your PEX.

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General guidance from manufacturer and standards data. Parts vary by brand, so check the size printed on the package against what you measured. For gas lines or anything inside a wall, use a licensed plumber.