The popularity of press fittings has been steadily on the rise in recent years. John Gittens, Operations Director at Maincor, explains why their versatility is even more appealing today, but warns installers to be wary of quality when choosing which fittings to use.
It’s been said that using press fittings can reduce the installation time of a pipe joint by as much as 60%, helping installers to work smarter, faster and more cost-effectively on site. With the cost of materials still high, building and construction budgets are being continually squeezed on all types of job. This means proven product performance is more important than ever and the flexibility offered by modern methods of connection, such as metal press fittings, is helping to ensure the delivery of projects on time and within budget.
Of course, one of the biggest benefits that’s made metal press fittings a more favourable choice, is how easily they meet site regulations and overcome safety concerns by rendering soldering and hot works unnecessary. Connections can be made in a fraction of the time it takes to weld or solder pipe, and the absence of heat or naked flame means they can safely be used on a wider variety of installations. This also greatly reduces the risk of injury on the job while requiring less safety gear to operate a press tool.
Viewing window
Indeed, innovation in press fittings such as Maincor’s MAINPRESS MLCP plumbing system, also offer less opportunity for errors to occur. As a robust non-demountable pipe and fitting system for domestic and commercial projects, MAINPRESS fittings feature a viewing window so installers can easily see if the pipe is properly secured before it’s pressed, reducing risk and ensuring a reliable, leak-free connection every time.
These multiple benefits are why many installers are choosing to use metal press fittings, especially when combined with flexible multilayer composite pipe, over and above push-fit or traditional connection methods. With other methods, there is a risk that fittings can be left incomplete or weak if not soldered correctly around the joint or not connected sufficiently, resulting in leaks that can be difficult and expensive to fix. By using a press tool, the strength of press fitting connections is consistent and just as strong as a properly soldered joint. Maintenance can also be done more quickly and easily without the need to shut down systems.
Leak prevention
However, the press fittings market is more crowded than ever so installers need to be aware of quality and how this can affect performance. Engineered in Germany, MAINPRESS fittings include a unique, large D-ring sealing which prevents the risk of leaks and damage when the fittings are connected to pipes, ensuring it’s a solution that provides peace of mind.
Our fittings have a zero failures record, so we pride ourselves in having a reliable product range that professional installers can trust. That’s why we back the performance of our fittings with a 10-year insurance warranty and a 50-year Product Replacement Guarantee, going beyond the industry standard.
We’re also conscious that a great deal of emphasis must now be placed on environmental impact when selecting products, and metal press fittings also have a role to play in this. Using less energy and chemicals on site and creating less waste, as well as their long lifespan, means they’re a more sustainable choice than traditional connection methods.
Overall, there are many reasons why installers are increasingly turning to press fittings, but to truly reap all the possible benefits, it’s critical to understand the differences between the products available so you can select a solution that won’t let you down.
