The Book of Home How-To

PLUMBING

PIPE: JOINING: FLARE FITTINGS

Flare fittings are used more often for flexible copper gas lines. Flare fittings may be used with flexible copper water supply pipes, but they cannot be used where the connections will be concealed inside walls. Always check your local code regarding the use of flare fittings.

Flare fittings are easy to disconnect. Use flare fittings in places where it is unsafe or difficult to solder, such as in crawl spaces.

Flare fitting (shown in cutaway) shows how flared end of flexible copper pipe forms seal against the head of a brass union fitting.

HOW TO JOIN TWO COPPER PIPES WITH A FLARE UNION FITTING

Slide flare nuts onto ends of pipes. Nuts must be placed on pipes before ends can be flared. Ream inside of pipe to create smooth edge.

Select hole in flaring tool base that matches outside diameter of pipe. Open base, and place end of pipe inside hole.

Clamp pipe inside flaring tool base. End of pipe must be flush with flat surface of base.

Slip yoke of flaring tool around base. Center flaring tip of yoke over end of pipe (inset photo above). Tighten handle of yoke to shape the end of the pipe. Flare is completed when handle cannot be turned farther.

Remove yoke and remove pipe from base. Repeat flaring for other pipe.

Place flare union between flared ends of pipe and screw flare nuts onto union.

Hold center of flare union with adjustable wrench and use another wrench to tighten flare nuts one complete turn. Turn on water. If fitting leaks, tighten nuts.