How to use a compression fitting. Compression plumbing tutorial. Plumbing for beginners!

In this video I show how to use a brass compression fitting to join two copper pipes together. This is a quick tutorial to show how simple it really is to do! It's the perfect DIY method for joining copper pipe.
For the compression fitting used in the video click here - amzn.to/2vgumIt
For more compression fittings click here:
- 15 mm equal tee - amzn.to/398b9Hz
- 15mm elbow - amzn.to/2T8Rj9o
- 15mm straight coupler - amzn.to/2VxRpce
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Thanks for watching!
#howtocompressionfitting #DIYplumbing #compressionfitting

[@LeeBottomley]

Good video. No jargon, and straight to the point. Thanks. 👍

[@kaycee9337]

Man I just learned something from you thank you very much you saved my life now I'm able to take a shower again lol 😅 i seen a few other videos and i thank god for you . I prayed and thanked Jesus for you .i subscribe and loved the video straight to the point ☝️i used a small piece of plumbers tape not much it worked beautiful.now let's see how many years it will last.

[@nosycatUK]

Thank you. Some people use a plumbing tape over the olive as well. Or some people use jointing compound

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Great point 👍

[@richarddavidson7067]

Just fixed my parents pitted pipe….you legend thanks. Appreciate your straight to the point video 👍🇳🇿

[@kins749]

Great video, simple explanation and no waffling, thanks!

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

You're welcome!

[@AllWheelsGood]

Really good, straight forward video. I used the information to complete a DIY job successfully, though I ended up suffering from plumber's bottom syndrome for about a week after!

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Good work!

[@daibhiseaghdha153]

don't forget to deburr the copper tube, if you over tighten the compression fitting the more likely it is to leak, and the harder it will be to remove the " olive " / " ferrule " as the copper tube will have been distorted, beyond redemption. when tightening, hold the center hex' with a spanner, and then tighten the compression nut. and you will be in control of what's going on. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know. and the hardness of the copper tube makes a difference, soft / half hard / hard you can look up how much to tighten a compression fitting on the manufactures website. good to see you are having a go.

[@biswajitmitra573]

thank you for this small little great tip. I will apply this to fit my electric shower inlet pipe.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Glad to help.

[@jessicapeck1061]

Perfect. Straight to the point. Thanks!

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Glad to have helped.

[@dethcreeper69]

Thanks Pouse a quick video to refresh the ol' grey matter. Diolch

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

No problem.

[@threepenny_bit]

Straight to the point, no nonsense, great video. Cheers.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for watching.

[@phillbanks4103]

Perfect vid no messing about get this do this and boom done, my bath has started leaking (the rubber in the nut that joins pipe to the tap has disintegrated) so has a constant drip on top of that it’s all old copper pipe so bought a flexi pipe and now I know what to do so thanks dude

[@phillbanks4103]

And now no drip 👍 thank you mate you got a new sub

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Good job!

[@Reallybigchungus]

Thank you. This helped me so much

[@zthde]

No messing 👍👍👍👍👍 perfect video 👏👏👏👏👏

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Glad you liked it!

[@gggfx4144]

Very helpful video, thanks for doing this

[@simonwalton]

Thanks mate. Very useful for me!

[@gss2u]

Thank you so much. You made my day.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

No problem!

[@errandmike]

thank you, I needed this. Simple but unless you know

[@kunwer9216]

What a great source of information, thank you.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

No problem 👍

[@Zyrawrcious]

Cheers for this, you've just saved me from having to call out a plumber.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Glad to help.

[@AWellesley]

You missed some important steps to avoid a leak. * CLEAN THE PIPE with wire wool or scotch-brite to ensure nothing interferes with the olive biting evenly all the way round the pipe. * USE A JOINTING COMPOUND, a little bit of plumbers jointing compound like LS-X on the pipe in the area where the olive will bite helps it seal more effectively and reduces the chance of it weeping later. The lubrication of the uncured compound also makes it less likely you’ll fail to tighten the nut enough as a fitting that isn’t tight enough will pull off easily.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@bigteddy66]

No jointing paste required

[@NicknameSID]

Thank you very much indeed, that was extremely helpful, I'm going to try tomorrow 👍🏽

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Best of luck!

[@fightermma]

How did it go brother?

[@Draculahasacat]

Very useful huge thanks

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

You are welcome.

[@7pinky791]

Just given me some confidence to replace a leaking joint. Hope it is as easy as it looks or I will end up calling the plumber again! Must have the plumber's phone no. at hand just in case! LOL

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

As long as you know where to turn your water off it'll be fine! (Famous last words....) best of luck!

[@timjeffries6362]

Thanks Pouse, top job.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks!

[@Cableman-hr2uu]

after hand tightening the nut, how many turns we should continue to consider as tight enough and not over tightening ?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Until you feel resistance with a spanner. If you still get a weep of water, you can just tighten up slightly once fitted. Hope that helps.

[@Cableman-hr2uu]

@@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE thanks !!

[@Grahamvfr]

Thank you 👍

[@warpi83]

Hi if I want to replace the valve, do I have to cut the copper pipe or not. Thanks

[@brendaleonard8442]

Brilliant, thank you 😊

[@georgiospapageorgiou5208]

nice! top quality content!

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for watching.

[@JHJHJHJHJH]

Lifesaver, mate! Cheers bud.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

No problem.

[@chrispfeif5552]

great vid, exactly what i was looking for. i would guess once it's opened (adjustments etc), you have to put a new ring each time? how many times can you reuse this same ring once its on the pipe? thanks !

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

You can reuse the olive as long as it's not damaged but it does stick tight to the pipe so you cant remove the olive from the pipe. You can also add some jointing compound over the olive to help with the seal.

[@chrispfeif5552]

@@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE Thank you!

[@alemgas]

@@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE don't talk utter crap, the compression rings are one use only, GO play with your toys

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

@@alemgas thanks for the feedback!

[@samshinto]

well explained.... welldone

[@Tutamunga]

Thanks Pouse. Can I fit this without PTFE tape? It’s only temporary (1-2weeks) until new sink is in. Got the compression fitting as you’ve shown with correct olives. Thanks, your vids have been a great help!

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Hi there. No ptfe tape required on compression fittings although you can put some on if you want. Hope that helps. Thanks for watching.

[@Tutamunga]

POUSE around the HOUSE Thanks bud!

[@hassemsadiq]

hi when fitting isolating valve the arrow has to go to the flow if installed wrong way round what will happen thanks

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Hi Mohammed, if it's the wrong way round, when the water is isolated (valve turned off) the water pressure will be pushing in the same direction that the valve opens, increasing the chances of it failing. When the right way round, the water pressure (direction of flow) forces the valve closed so it physically can't be opened. Hope that makes sense. Thanks for the question and thanks for watching!

[@adrianstealth340]

POUSE around the HOUSE good question & answer , I’ve just put one in wrong way round & checked inside & the mech ( like a flat sided ball bearing ) should react the same no matter what water direction , I think it’s to do with which way the handle turns ( or screw ) so everything is uniformed/same etc

[@doncodman913]

Hi I find that the brass olives are so much harder than copper olives . If i have a leak on a compression fitting its nearly always due to the brass olive . Any comments ,please . regards Don

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Completely agree. Thanks for watching.

[@AWellesley]

Brass olives are supposed to be better than copper olives on copper pipe as you want something harder than the copper to bite into it. You do however need to tighten the nut on brass olives a bit more than with copper olives to get a good seal. Copper olives are essential for use of these fittings on plastic pipes. Brass is too hard.

[@ColinMill1]

@@AWellesley However, going back 50 years copper olives were used universally without problems. Being "old school" I bung out the brass olives and replace them with copper and don't have issues with compression fittings.

[@bonypp]

Sorry I get confused which direction to tighten / loosen . Any tips Pouse around the house .

[@phewitt45]

Lefty loosey Righty tighty

[@joan8198]

I always imagine opening a jar....

[@samnewman5129]

Cheers for that Mate

[@subydude88]

Great vid thx!

[@speedster15]

Not bad but would never assemble without proper joint paste on both inner and outer faces of the olive. You're right about not over tightening. So many people do this.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@Marcoosianism]

After tightening by hand, is there a specific number of turns recommended with the wrench/spanner ... like maybe 1/4 turn? 1/2 turn?

[@JimJimpmjj]

@@Marcoosianism good question I too want to know, but from what I have researched it varies from quarter of a turn to 1 and half turns! So very unsure!

[@_a.z]

What about jointing paste, plumber's mate etc? It lubricates so you apply less force and seals!

[@gggfx4144]

Was thinking to ask same thing; sure I've seen people put plumbers mate on the pipe

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

You can or you can wrap a bit of Teflon tape around the olive before tightening.

[@_a.z]

@@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE You don't get the same lubrication, so greater tightening forces or not as tight! Tape can be a pain!

[@PuReJellybean]

Legend thank you

[@vincentk531]

my house was built in 1936 i take it back then they where using the imperial measurements are they compatible with metric i`m trying to solder an 15mm end cap onto the copper pipe work but for the life of me the fitting will not go on i cut the copper pipe with one of those circular cutters i checked for burrs on pipe all good i had a piece of the old pipe work to one side tried the fitting on that same result it would not go on any ideas?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

You need a 1/2 inch to 15mm reducer. They are available at plumbers merchants but not your main DIY stores. The size looks almost the same until you run the water and then you get a trickle! Hope that helps. Best of luck.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Another cheaper trick is if you use a compression fitting, use a 15mm stop cap with a 1/2 inch olive and nip it up tight. This works as I done it myself.

[@johnboy4067]

Could you put a flexible fitting onto a compression fitting

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

If you mean plastic pipe then yes, some you can if you use the correct insert.

[@cubul32]

Is it a good idea to add some teflon on the oilive to improve the sealing?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Yes that will improve the seal.

[@jpatel4585]

I recently purchased a new tap(from Porcelonosa) with tap tails 3/8" unlike the previous fitting which I believe it to be 15mm. The new tails is too small to fit onto the service valve/isolator - do you have any suggestions to overcome this without replacing the isolator valve and whether you have a video on this? thanks

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

If the fitting in the tap end is the same as other tails then you could just buy some 15mm tails. They don't cost much. Hope that helps.

[@thewitheys]

You got me right out of the shit thanks mate

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Glad to have helped.

[@PNH63]

Clean the tube and debur inside!

[@davidpotts1778]

You only need to do that with gas. No need to debur with water

[@andy5gs]

If you want to buy one it’s called a Service Valve

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Indeed this fitting is! Thanks for watching.

[@andy5gs]

@@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE cheers I just got one from screwfix . Weekend job sorted

[@dingodogie]

Can this be used to join 3/8" copper supply line to flexible braided line? For dishwasher replacement.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

As long as the valve is the same size as the tail (i.e. compatible) then you can screw them on. You can buy flexible tails with the compression fitting and valve on which maybe easier. This is 15mm pipe with a 1/2inch compatible valve. You can also get 22mm pipe with 3/4 inch compatible valve. Those are standard sizes for domestic UK plumbing pipes and brass fittings. 3/8 inches won't fit the 15mm pipe seen in the video. Hope that helps.

[@cameronshine3465]

is that a brass fitting or a stainless steel fitting ? It just looks SS from here .

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Plumbing parts are usually brass then chrome plated. If you chip it it is brass coloured beneath.

[@cameronshine3465]

there is no brass at all in this set up. its all copper pipes and tri clamp ferrules, only SS tri clamps for this one. and also i got a blow off and intake valve, i think its 11 PSI , 0.10 Mpa

[@cameronshine3465]

@@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE no brass or chrome plated , i made sure of all of that

[@cameronshine3465]

there is no brass at all

[@cameronshine3465]

@@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE i will post this set up hopefully in 2 to 3 weeks, once i have it set up and going, but i have noticed that some distilling web sites are selling brass blow off valves and some that are not selling them but are saying that brass parts are ok, but for me, i will never put one brass part in my set up.

[@MiggsMultiple]

How does the pipe not come out even after it's tightened? It isn't flared so it wouldn't be stopped by anything

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

It compresses on the olive creating a tight seal.

[@bufftheowl]

If I use one of those flexi tail adapters do I need an olive?

[@TONE11111]

no, but make sure you buy a flat-edge flexi-tail, so the edge doesn't cut the washer.

[@namasivayamvijayakumar7863]

Super bro super Canada kumar tank you bro

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

No problem.

[@DemitriosX]

Spanner?

[@namasivayamvijayakumar7863]

Take you bro

[@xcarraskii]

Some olives don't fit in the pipe why

[@Kbp976]

Would it be better apply ptf tape around olive ?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

If you are going to apply ptfe tape then yes, around the olive is the way to go and it will help with the seal. Best of luck.

[@Saintathantwinpeaks]

Always try not to fit PTFE if possible. PTFE is a rescue for a leak, but try not to introduce anything unnecessary if at all possible.

[@barnbersonol]

They should invent white tape to put around joints that changes colour if the joints sweat. Then you can reassure yourself with just a glance.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Maybe a business opportunity for you? Thanks for watching.

[@justinmckinlay]

Just saved my bacon

[@robiniapseudoacacia]

So clear and simple. Thanks for taking the time to do these.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

No problem 👍

[@naveed1621]

You must deburr and clean the pipe most compression joints will come with the arrow to show the flow of water if not fitted correctly the compression joint will fail also it’s good practice to put some thread joining compound or use ptfe tape

[@amg863]

Are you a plumber? Because the plumbers I watched did not deburr any copper pipes and they claim they never had an issue.

[@waskito3443]

teflon tape could actually damage the inner ring, please don't do this.

[@lawrencebookham4289]

It’s not the thread that makes the joint, it’s the olive so thread joining compound on the thread would be a waste of time.

[@PNH63]

@@amg863well they are not very good then !

[@amg863]

@@PNH63 it's better practice but you'd be surprised how many corners tradesmen cut when the homeowner isn't watching them. Especially with new builds. They want to be in and out as fast as possible. They don't care about twenty years down the road.

[@jimosullivan1389]

So, no need to clean all the crap off of the copper tube then ?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Yes if it's dirty. My pipe wasn't, it was old copper so colour was tainted.

[@jimosullivan1389]

It had paint on it !! It was DIRTY. OLD copper needs CLEANING. ANY decent plumber will clean copper pipe before using compression fittings. You are in the wrong.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

@@jimosullivan1389 it was just an old peice of pipe for an example. But if it helps you sleep tonight then you are right, I should have cleaned the paint off. Just to note I'm not a plumber! Thanks for watching.

[@terrytowelling6212]

@@jimosullivan1389 Calm down Jim and get back to work

[@jimosullivan1389]

@@terrytowelling6212 You want to send me back to work, 10 years into retirement, after being 50 years in Engineering ?...lol It's just galling to see 'How to tutorials' that are misleading, incorrect and made by people who are not qualified in the discipline.

[@candeffect]

Move the compression sleeve away from the valve about 1/2", apply nonsetting thread sealer (pipe dope or joint paste) on the copper pipe where the sleeve will be when the nut is applied. The sealer is forced into the imperfections of the sleeve and pipe to form a leakless seal. Who is the idiot who invented the name, 'olive', for the sleeve? Is the nut a 'leaf'?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@jonathansimmonds5784]

Oh, and btw, you failed to mention the relevance of the arrow on the side of the filling...

[@fightermma]

My situation is that I have very old pipes under my bathroom basin sink. I want to cut the pipes and attach flexi connectors to the cut pipes to new taps. Is this feasible or should I not replace that particular part of the pipe for flexible tap connectors?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

You can but you need to ensure you have isolation valves and if house is old make sure you know what size the pipes are as if they are metric sizes (i.e. inches) then they may not fit modern metric fittings (mm). Hope that helps.

[@fightermma]

@@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE I ended up buying 2 different size flexi connectors. Attempted to remove the nut with two different types of basin wrenches and even tried cutting the nut with a multi tool. Lol needless to say I couldn't remove the nut after attempting for so long. I called a plumber and he literally did it all so quickly. A real pro. He used a type of adjustable plyer that had a very long handle and some WD40. I was really impressed. Thanks for your help. The new taps look so much better than the old quarter turn ones 🙂👍🏽.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

@@fightermma sounds like a good result! 👍

[@jonathansimmonds5784]

The video before yours does exactly the same but does it in 1m 59sec.

[@vmtr90]

Amateur

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@DyslexicLunatic]

Your not generally able to removing the plumbing to do the work. Not a very practical tutorial.

[@maltaparkhelp]

Is it OK to re-use the old olives when changing a valve?

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

If you can change them then it's good to have new but that's usually not practical. So as long as it's not damaged you can reuse it. For extra reassurance, wrap some PTFE tape around the olive before doing the nuts back up on the valve. This will help with the seal.

[@atiquet2888]

Thanks bro

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

No problem, thanks for watching.

[@netx421]

Man thanks.

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

No problem!

[@tiggywinkle1000]

Flat wrong. Anyone who did not know better, would also have left out the PTFE thread tape, as in this video.

[@iainmeteorscan1555]

@tiggywinkle1000 Don't you mean that anyone who knows what they are doing DOESN'T use PTFE on the threads?! PTFE would be a bodge job, and would have absolutely no effect on the seal.

[@tiggywinkle1000]

​@@iainmeteorscan1555 "PTFE would be a bodge job, and would have absolutely no effect on the seal." YOU mention the seal, not me. The PTFE tape lubricates the threads making tightening the joint easier. That also allows for easier disassembly of the system at a later date - it doesn't help to seal a compression fitting, but it does make it easier to undo. I've worked on fittings used from the 1970's, fastened 'dry' and they were IMPOSSIBLE to undo - but hey, you're perfectly welcome to stick with your pedantic 'schoolboy rules' technique - I bet you tell people that changing the washer sorts a leaky tap, too ! Lor' Wot a Clown.

[@reddleman7978]

@@tiggywinkle1000 why not use silicone grease instead?

[@kennywilson7717]

should compound be used also

[@POUSEaroundtheHOUSE]

You can but it's not necessary. Thanks for watching.