1" PVC to 1/2" copper

[Mar3232]

I see both PVC and copper compression fittings but to save me time today, would like to ask you pros on the best way --

to go from 1" PVC to 1/2" copper.

(Seems to me I did this before without compression fittings just using a copper female adapter and then with teflon tape, using a male threaded pvc adapter -- but I want to do it right. Besides, couldn't figure out the right way to go from the 1" down to half doing it this way.)

Thanks.

 

[hj]

There are so many possibilities that we cannot describe them all and MOST will be the "right way". About the only "wrong way" would be to screw a male metal adapter into a female PVC one.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[Mar3232]

go figure -- that's what the guy gave me. A copper male to fit into female pvc. (lowes)

I can see how using a female copper fitting and then thread male pvc into that would be better right? It would "flow" right ? (water will be pushing out of the pvc into the copper).

 

[Dj2]

"go figure -- that's what the guy gave me. A copper male to fit into female pvc. (lowes)"

- Wrong advice. the risk is that a copper male adapter will weaken the PVC female adapter over time causing leaks in the future. Why? because it's so easy to over tighten.

 

[Mar3232]

But ok to do the reverse? A pvc male into a copper female? With tape of course. ? -- thanks

 

[Dj2]

But ok to do the reverse? A pvc male into a copper female? With tape of course. ? -- thanks

Yes.
Use tape only - I go 7 or 8 times around, counterclockwise - but don't use pipe dope.

 

[hj]

The real problem is that metal can corrode and create pressure on the female PVC fitting and cause it to split.

 

[Bluebinky]

But ok to do the reverse? A pvc male into a copper female? With tape of course. ? -- thanks

That works, but PVC male threads tend to be a bit weak at the base. There are fittings for exactly this, but they are not cheap. An example is https://jet.com/product/detail/f0d2...ent:Plumbing:Pipe_Fittings_Accessories:dur:na

 

[Dj2]

Let me just add this: I have done many such transitions from metal to PVC and vise versa, and they lasted successfully for many years.

To the OP: In this case, for whatever the application might be, go ahead and do it. What's the worse that can happen? - do it over?

 

[Bluebinky]

The PVC to copper transition on main service pipe at my Texas house cracked and caused on-going intermittent leak that undermined the garage slab. Not to mention the extra hundreds of dollars in water bills before we figured out what was going on...