Connecting PEX Tubing to Copper Pipe

Connecting PEX to Copper

The fastest and easiest way to connect PEX directly to copper pipe is by using SharkBite connections. These connections require no tools and no soldering. If you aren't using SharkBite connections you will need a copper pipe adapter also known as a female sweat adapter. First, the copper side will slide right over the copper pipe to be soldered. You should do the soldering first to avoid any risk of damaging your PEX tubing. You then connect your PEX tubing to the other side using a PEX connection.

If you are connecting PEX to an existing fitting, you will need to use a copper fitting adapter also known as a male sweat adapter. This may be the case if your copper pipe is connected to an elbow or other type of fitting and you don't want to cut your pipe. The copper side will slide right into the existing fitting to be soldered. You then connect your PEX tubing to the other side using a PEX connection.

The main thing to remember is the difference between copper pipe adapters and copper fitting adapters. Copper pipe adapters slide over copper pipe, while Copper fitting adapters slide into existing fittings already on your pipes.

If you are connecting PEX to something with national pipe thread, we also have male and female threaded adapters. National pipe thread is a generic thread you can get at any store; you simply screw on the threaded end, and the PEX end will be connected using a PEX connection.

Fittings are named based on the size of the pipe they work with. Copper pipe sizing refers to the inner diameter of the pipe. For example, a ½ inch pipe adapter doesn't actually measure ½ inch. It simply fits over the ½ copper pipe.

Comparing PEX Connections

[dannypalmer]

I like right to the point.No music or talking off the subject.Thank yu.

[overflo.agency]

Got the advice I needed 20 seconds in. Brilliant.

[joequillun]

Copper "pipe" adapters, and copper "fitting" adapters. That is what I needed to know. Thanks for posting. :)

[honestycounts]

Remember: the inside diameter of 3/4" crimped PEX fittings are the SAME as the inside diameter of 1/2" copper pipe. The crimped-PEX insert fittings that you use with 1/2" PEX have such a small inside diameter to them that you suffer from a loss of flow of water when you use them. Now this is not a problem when connecting to either a toilet or a kitchen/bathroom faucet (those have tiny 3/8" feeder lines to them anyways), but if you are connecting to a tub/shower, washing machine, or outdoor outlet, then you need MORE water flow and you should either use a 1/2" SharkBite fitting or use a 1/2" UPONOR expanded-PEX fitting, to connect to the 1/2" PEX pipe. Home Depot has started selling Waterline Cold-X fittings that look and function exactly as the UPONOR line of fittings, but for half the price, so that's what I use.

[davidgordon]

Plumber here. Shark bites keeps me in business when they bust.

[TexasJones]

great how-to video. after seeing this I feel like I can do any pex plumbing in the house. it us more expensive, but I hate using a soldering torch near wood, so this is definitely the route I am taking to feel safer. I subscribed to your channel so I can learn everything about pex and plumbing.

[linzerpa]

Wow, totally answered my question! The pex sweat adaptors, regarding piping vs fitting adapters, was just what I needed know.

[MrArbutusify]

Thank you for a clear video on this topic. Watched it several times to write down all the adaptor names. Good informative video.

[anthonyhartman]

Very good video. Quick, clear, simple.

[texascopter]

Yes, quick and to the point ! Thank you

[MarkWoodChannel]

The shark bite push fittings really reduce water flow if that's a concern in your application, I recently connected a new water softener using a 24" Sharkbite 1" FPT to 3/4" PEX and I have to break down and buy the PEX tools to run straight pipe because of the reduced flow in our house.

[d.wilson]

Thank you, this answered several questions I had about making copper to PEX transition

[youngla]

Most informative video I ever seen lol

[Jeffreytroy]

I've found those yellow brass sweat adapters have solder flow and adherence issues. = leaks. They make the same fitting in copper. The copper gets too hot before the brass gets hot enough.

[pf]

What about Pro press adapters? Aren’t there any to connect the copper end?

[sjr]

That's what I like short to the point video

[joshballantyne]

this video was quite helpful. I'm a sprinkler fitter trying to hook up a bathtub lol. (btw. I think NPT stands for "nominal" pipe thread. sorry for nit picking)

[YYJJ]

Can you connect Pex pipe to other types of plastic tubing such as 1/2 plastic water pipe?

[doctorwork]

The 1/2" of 1/2" copper pipe is neither the ID nor the OD. There are several grades of copper pipe for plumbing depending on their wall thickness (K, L, and M). They all have the same OD (5/8") but different IDs. That allows them all to use the same fittings. So when we talk about 3/8" or 1/2" or 3/4" copper pipe, that number is 1/8" less than the OD and is close to the ID, but not exactly the the ID.

[menguardingtheirownwallets]

The I.D. of 1/2" copper pipe is the same as the I.D. of 3/4" Pex fittings, that's something to remember.