Home and Garden | Installing Flared Fittings - Plumbing

Flexible copper pipes are usually joined by soldering, but they can also be joined by using compression fittings or flared fittings. Flared fittings are handy to use where soldering (and open flames from a propane torch) would be dangerous or awkward. Check your local code, however, since flared fittings may not be allowed in your area.

Before installing a fitting, cut the pipes and smooth the inside and outside surfaces, using an emery cloth, wire brush, or round file. Wipe away any filings using a clean cloth.

PROJECT BASICS

Project: Easy
Estimated Project Time: 15 minutes
Start Tips: Check you local code; not all areas allow flared fittings.
Safety Tips: For a proper fit, be sure to use the correct flaring tool for your pipe size and fitting angle.
Recommendation: Do-it-Yourself

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Place a nut on each pipe
A flared fitting joining two copper pipes is composed of two nuts (one for each pipe) and a flare union. Place a flare nut on each pipe.

Fig. 1

2) Clamp the pipe to the flaring tool
Flaring the lip of each pipe is essential to making a leakproof joint using these fittings. To flare the pipe, you use a flaring tool. There are flaring tools for a variety of purposes and materials; be sure to use one approved for plumbing and copper pipe. Some flaring tools can flare pipe of a specific diameter, while others can flare a range of diameters. Flaring tools also create flares at specific angles, commonly 45 degrees.

Use a tool that matches the outside diameter of your piping, and the angle of your fitting. To use a flaring tool featuring a die block with holes of different diameters, first place the end of the tubing into the appropriate slot at the base of the flaring tool, adjusting the pipe until the end is slightly above the base. Clamp the base around the pipe (Fig. 1).

Fig. 2

3) Turn the handle
Position the top part of the flaring tool (called the yoke) over the pipe. Turn the handle; as it turns, a lowering cone forces the lip of the pipe against the base to create a bell-shaped flare that will mate securely with a corresponding flare-type valve or fitting. (Fig. 2)

Fig. 3

4) Connect the union
Thread the flare nut onto one of the ends of the flare union; tighten using two wrenches (Fig. 3).

Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the other pipe, and attach its flare nut to the other end of the flare union.

Making Flared Fittings