A Guide to Choosing the Ideal Plumbing Fittings for Your Needs

Hose fittings are available in a wide range of forms that come with different names and purposes. You can buy hose fittings online made of different materials and styles. Choosing the ideal hose fittings for your application can be important. That being said, I’ll walk you through the most common hose fittings that Australian homeowners needs, so you can rest assured you make a well-informed decision when buying hose or pipe fittings for your irrigation or gardening needs.

What Are Hose Fittings?

Hose fittings are also known as hosepipe fittings, house couplers or hose pipe connectors, and they’re used in gardening and irrigation to connect hoses to faucets, adaptors or other equipment. Hose fittings are available in different forms, sizes and styles, so based on your needs, you can rest assured you’ll find a fitting suitable for your watering system.

Materials Hose Fittings Are Made Of

Hosepipe fittings are made of either brass or plastic. Both materials come with their own pros and cons, which I’ll discuss in this article.

Brass Fittings

Brass fittings are the more expensive type out of the two, as they’re heavier, sturdier and more expensive to manufacture. If longevity and quality are a top priority, these fittings are worth investing in. However, keep in mind that the quality of brass fittings can vary. Cheaper fittings aren’t made with the same attention to detail as more expensive brass hose fittings. That means that they can wear down quicker, and they can’t withstand as much abuse.

Plastic Fittings

Plastic fittings are the more affordable option. However, that doesn’t mean that all plastic hose fittings are worse in quality compared to brass fittings. There’s a range of quality plastic fittings that are just as reliable and durable as their brass counterparts. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Depending on the external conditions and the use of the plastic fittings, they can last for years. Continual use and harsh outdoor conditions, however, can quickly take a toll on their lifespan.

When buying plastic fittings, inspect the quality of the plastic used. Cheaper fittings use cheaper plastic, whereas more expensive fittings use ABS plastic, which is an extremely tough and durable type of plastic.

What’s the Best Material for Your Application?

As aforementioned, the ideal fittings for you will depend on several different factors, including personal preference, how much you intend on using them, your budget, and the environment in which they’ll be used. Brass is considered the best type of metal for hose attachments, as it doesn’t corrode, making it great for use in wetter parts where rain is expected. It also doesn’t rust, as it doesn’t contain much iron content. Plastic is also a decent choice as it’s resistant to water damage. As aforementioned, some plastic hose fittings are stronger than others.

Types of Pipe Fittings

Plumbing fittings are classed as either male or female. Female hose connectors are used on the ends of the hose, whereas male connectors are used on the taps and accessories like lawn sprinklers and spray nozzles. Fittings are typically used for these purposes:

• Connecting hoses to indoor or outdoor taps
• Connecting hose ends to garden hose accessories like spray nozzles or sprinklers
• Controlling water flow into multiple hoses with a three-way connector
• Attaching two hosepipes together if a section is removed
• Attaching hoses to hose reels
• Connecting watering devices to outdoor taps

Hose Tap Connectors

Hose tap connectors are a gardener’s bread and butter. They’re used to connect hosepipes to outdoor taps. Hose tap connectors are meant to be watertight in order to prevent leaks. Most hose tap connectors fit standard outside taps. Hose tap connectors are easily screwed onto outside taps so you can quickly and easily attach garden hoses.

Hose Couplings

Hose couplings connect the end of one hose to another hose appliance, such as taps or irrigation sprinklers. Unlike tap connectors, couplings provide multi-purpose use, as they’re available in different designs and finishes. Most are ergonomically designed to provide an easy grip, and they’re capable of handling high water pressures. Simply put, they’re designed for use and long-lasting results. They’re typically used in garden irrigation systems to ensure consistent, leak-free results. Brass and plastic types are available depending on your needs, and either type is designed to withstand UV rays and rain for a very long time.

Accessory Adaptors

Accessory adaptors convert female hose ends into male connections, allowing you to connect hoses to other attachments for a watertight seal. They’re available in many shapes and forms, but all of them serve the same purpose – to connect hosepipe accessories to hosepipes. Depending on the width of the hosepipe and the specific hosepipe accessory, you may need a specific size of adaptor. Accessory adaptors look similar to tap connectors, but serve an entirely different purpose.

The Final Word

Hosepipe fittings are small, yet very valuable accessories used in virtually any water system. They’re available in a wide range of shapes, sizes and materials, all of which serve a different purpose. Choosing the right fittings for your application is relatively easy, as long as you have some basic knowledge of the different types.