Frequently Asked Questions
Q. "I purchased some 1/2" and 3/4" pipe, but I'm not sure how loose or tight they should be. How should I tighten the nuts on the couplings?"
A. Tighten until they squeak, and turn a 1/4 turn more. Don't over tighten, and you'll have a connection that will last trouble free for many years and can easily be taken apart and reused.
Q. "What do I need to keep in mind when I'm connecting QickTite fittings to my pipe?"
A. To install QickTite compression fittings, start by turning off the water supply to prevent leaks. Make sure the fittings and pipe are clean and free from debris. Begin tightening the nut by hand, being careful not to cross-thread the fitting, then use two wrenches for a secure fit without damaging the fittings. (Remember to listen for a high-pitched squeaking sound as the fitting compresses the nut and sleeve onto the pipe.) After reactivating the water supply, check for leaks and make necessary adjustments to confirm a leak-free connection. It's a good idea to periodically recheck the fittings to maintain tightness.
Q. "Can I use the above fittings to mix copper, PEX and Polybutylene pipe?"
A. The above Qest acetal fittings fit over copper, cpvc, PEX (crosslinked polyethylene) and Polybutylene pipe. They have a stainless crimp fitting and an acetal compression sleeve that fit over any of those pipes. You can have copper on one side and cpvc on the other side of the fitting, etc. They are very easy to use. They are more bulky than the old insert fittings and for tight places they might not fit or work.
Q. "I have a Qest QickTite Tee and one of the nuts keeping the polybutylene pipe attached to the Tee has cracked. To remove and replace the nut I will need to cut the metal grip ring off but then my pipe will be too short. What can I do?"
A. Since polybutylene pipe is no longer available you will need to use a piece of PEX, CPVC, or copper pipe, a QickTite nut, grip ring, and cone as well as a QickTite coupling. Cut a length of the new pipe depending on how much of the old pipe you wish to replace. Make sure it is slightly longer than the piece of pipe you will be replacing. Place the nut, grip ring and cone onto the new piece of pipe you will be using. Attach the coupling on the other end of the new pipe and then attach the other end of the coupling to your existing polybutylene pipe. If you will be replacing a length of pipe between two QickTite fittings then you won't need the QickTite coupling. Just use two each of the nuts, two each of the grip rings, and two each of the cones, and connect one set of each to both ends of the pipe to be threaded onto the existing fittings.
Q. "I get confused about CPVC sizes. What type of CPVC pipe do these fittings fit?"
A. There are two "standard" sizes in CPVC, and this can be confusing. There is the size that matches the outside diameter of copper, which is called "CTS-sized". This is the type of CPVC that we offer, and that's the size that these QEST fittings will fit. With these fittings, you simply add 1/8" to the fitting size to determine the outside diameter of the pipe that will fit. (For instance, a 1/2" QEST fitting will fit CPVC pipe that has a 5/8" outside diameter.) PLEASE NOTE: The other type of CPVC pipe is the same size as steel pipe, which is known as "IPS-sized"; these QEST fittings will NOT compress onto IPS-sized pipe.
Q. "What does Nominal mean?"
A. "Nominal" means existing in name only and refers to the inside diameter size of the pipe, which varies by thickness of the pipe. The outside is a constant size and is always 1/8" larger than the nominal size. Example: 1/2" nominal is always 5/8" O.D. (Outside Diameter)
| Nominal Size To OD Size Conversion Table |
| O.D. Of Pipe |
Nominal Pipe Size |
| 1/4" |
1/8" |
| 3/8" |
1/4" |
| 1/2" |
3/8" |
| 5/8" |
1/2" |
| 7/8" |
3/4" |
| 1-1/8" |
1" |
| 1-3/8" |
1-1/4" |
| 1-5/8" |
1-1/2" |
| 2-1/8" |
2" |
Q. "How do crimp fittings work?"
A. Crimp fittings consist of two pieces: a male piece that fits inside the tubing and a crimp ring that fits over the tubing. A tool is used to crimp the ring onto the male fitting inside the tubing. This creates a permanent water/air tight seal with the tubing being captured between the two pieces.
Q. "Will your PEX crimp fittings work with my Polybutylene pipe?"
A. The crimp fittings we sell are made for use with plastic pipe that is Copper Tube Size (CTS), such as PEX. Since polybutylene has been discontinued since 1995, we cannot guarantee that these fittings will work on polybutylene pipe. If your pipe is CTS, these fittings may work, but we can only say for sure that these fittings will work on PEX and other CTS plastic pipe.
Q. "Can I use QickTite fittings to repair my hydronic heating piping?"
A. QickTite fittings are for use with basic residential plumbing. They are not designed for use with hydronic heating systems and they are not intended for use in recirculation systems of any kind.
