Webstone

In recent years, PP-R pipe has become an increasingly popular choice in plumbing and hydronic heating systems. Introduced over 30 years ago, this copolymer made from Polypropylene-Random has been a top choice among plastic piping options. Suitable for both hot and cold pipe, it’s known as a naturally insulating option that allows the installer to make fast connections that are both permanent and leak-free. Using heat fusion technology, the installer can do more than just join two PP-R ends together – they can create a joint that has the same strength as that of the pipe wall. In contrast to other pipe-joining methods, common long-term concerns like corrosion and fatigue damage are eliminated with heat fusion. In fact, fusion connections are touted to be so robust that they will outlast their own piping system.

In the mid 2000’s, a new generation of PP-R pipe was introduced to the market – Polypropylene-Random Crystallinity Temperature – or PP-RCT. Its crystallinity allows the copolymer to resist greater levels of pressure at higher temperatures. The advancement of copolymers in recent years has begun to shift opinions on plastic pipe, leaving behind outdated misconceptions about its dependability.

But the ways of the past are not all gone. Installers may be embracing plastic pipes and fittings, but they have been slower to accept plastic bodied valves. The proven field reliability of brass-bodied construction remains favorable in a time when strong, reliable plastics are still a relatively new concept. As such, manufacturers who work with PP-R and PP-RCT have been trying to figure out how to bridge the gap between the time tested technology and recent innovations.

In order to incorporate brass valves into a PP-R/PP-RCT piping system, installers have historically had few choices. Options for brass valves with fully integrated connections have been somewhat limited. Some piping manufacturers have elected to offer valves that are compatible only with their specific line of piping, so finding a valve that is compatible with all PP-R and PP-RCT piping systems proved increasingly difficult. In absence of a universal solution, installers made use of transitional fittings to connect their brass ends to PP-R/PP-RCT pipe, at the expense of additional leak paths and labor.

That’s where Webstone comes in. Known for their quality brass valves, Webstone has introduced fully integrated PP-R or PP-RCT ends to their most popular engineered products. The Pro-Connect PP-R Pro line now includes the Isolator with Rotating Flange (a uni-flange ball valve with 360 degrees of motion and optional multi-function hose drain), the Pro-Pal Ball Drain, and ball valves (including PP-R/PP-RCT x FIP ends to transition to or from metal piping).

These products all feature socket style connections, which makes the heat fusion process as quick and simple as possible. Valves come in a variety of sizes and are certified lead free for both residential and commercial use. Additionally, all Webstone products carry a lifetime guarantee against manufacturer’s defects – ensuring peace of mind that no other valve manufacturer in the industry can match. To learn more, visit WebstoneValves.com/PP-R-Pro

Tee and elbow union products from Webstone®, a brand of NIBCO®, eliminate the need for multiple fittings and valve assemblies. This line features ball valves combined with a choice of an integrated tee or elbow union fitting that may be used to change the direction of a line or to install a branch off of a line.

The T-Union Ball Drain model combines these same features with a hi-flow hose drain, allowing the user to quickly and easily install a drain off of a line. It has an adjustable flow path and a reversible handle to drain from either side of the ball. The integrated union adds versatility and makes installation fast and simple, with the ability to easily disconnect and replace the pipes for future repairs.

The dual stem seal design incorporates both an O-ring and PTFE packing with an adjustable packing gland for extra leak protection. These valves feature press end connections in sizes ½” – 1½”, including reducing options suitable for manifold/zone assemblies. They can save up to one hour of labor, replace 8 components, and eliminate 7 leak paths.

All products are made from lead-free dezincification resistant brass, can withstand up to 250°F and 200 PSI CWP, and are certified to NSF/ANSI 61 and 372.

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If you have experience installing gas appliances, you have installed a sediment trap. It’s an assembly that many plumbers have fabricated hundreds of times in the field, lauded for its simple design that protects expensive gas appliances like water heaters and boilers. It is even required by code in the United States and many other places across the world. So, why is it so important?

All gas appliances rely on a supply line to receive fuel from a building’s main utility source. This line, however, exposes the appliance to certain vulnerabilities. Debris such as dirt, metal, or other foreign matter can accumulate in this line during installations and repairs. If these loose particles enter the appliance, they can cause serious damage including malfunctions or even fires. Because of this, every gas appliance installation is required by code to ensure protection from sediment.

Plumbers have protected against gas sediment for years using the simple law of gravity and a clever assembly of fittings. With the understanding that debris will naturally settle at the lowest point in the piping line, a strategically placed tee with an elongated, capped branch is installed between the supply and the appliance to form a trap. The flow travels downstream from the gas supply, entering the tee through the top and continuing through the side branch at a 90° angle to the appliance. This sharp change in direction causes the loose particles to separate from the flow and drop into the capped nipple.

This trap assembly is widely accepted as the solution to guarding against gas sediment, but it has room for improvement. Assembling individual components not only takes time and introduces leak paths to the system, but it also aesthetically leaves much to be desired. Most importantly, the design is only functional if installed correctly, by a plumber who understands the significance of the 90° directional change. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see sediment traps assembled with an improper tee orientation, resulting in ineffective horizontal flow path that allows particles to bypass the trap and enter the unit.

Enter the Gas Sediment Trap from Webstone®, a brand of NIBCO®. It’s the industry’s first integral trap solution – a forged brass tee with an elongated capped branch that meets the 3” length that’s required by code. Created as an all-in-one installation kit, it includes a CSA-certified full port gas ball valve, with the choice of an optional flex line. It’s available in ½” or ¾” connections, making it ideal for a wide array of applications including high BTU appliances.

Choosing the Gas Sediment Trap has several advantages over field fabrication. Its attractive forged brass design results in cleaner, consistent quality professional installations that eliminate the possibility of an ineffective flow path. It saves time, replaces several components, and eliminates multiple leak paths. Kit models provide everything needed to complete the job, including a versatile flex hose that connects to the appliance or the supply line. For more information and other products that help you work smarter, visit webstonevalves.com.