Fittings for a Copper Garden Sprinkler

About Copper Fittings

• Copper is the longest-lasting type of pipe available; it resists corrosion and does not rust, which is why copper pipes will often outlast the home they were installed in. The same is true about copper fittings, which are molded slightly thicker than pipes, making them even more durable and long lasting. Copper fittings are also among the most expensive fittings, ranging from a few dollars to more than $20, as of August 2011, depending on the type and size. As a general rule, the larger the fitting, the more it costs.

Types of Sprinkler Fittings

• Copper garden sprinklers typically come with male pipe threads on the bottom for connecting to hoses and sprinkler risers. You have several ways to connect these pieces together, and copper fittings can accomplish the task. For connecting sprinklers to risers underground, a male-to-female fitting should be used, which adapts the male fitting on the bottom of the sprinkler to the female pipe threads on top of the sprinkler riser. For connecting to garden hoses, copper fittings are available for adapting smaller sprinklers to standard hose threads. Standard pipe threads are not compatible with hose threads, so an adapter is needed between the two.

Connecting Fittings With Tape

• Sprinklers that screw into copper fittings can be connected using Teflon tape, which is used in plumbing applications to lubricate threads and create a watertight seal between two pieces. A thin layer of Teflon tape should be wrapped around the base of the male threads before tightening the two pieces together. Too much tape around pipe threads can actually cause leaks, so use only a single layer of tape when making copper connections.

Connecting Fittings With Solder

• For permanent connections, you must use solder and flux between the sprinkler and the fitting. Flux is applied to the edges of both fittings to clean and lubricate the connection point. The fitting is then pressed together and heated using a heat gun or open torch. As the pipe heats, press solder against the seam of the connection. The heat will suck the solder into the seam and seal the connection. When the solder begins bubbling out of the seam, the connection is sealed with solder and will not come undone without the use of a wrench and open flame torch.