ORBIT
®
SPRINKLER SySTEm DESIGNER™
InstallatIon GuIde
JoInInG PvC tHReaded fIttInGs
Tools and Materials Required: Fittings, pipe tape, channel locks
The most common way to join PVC threaded fittings is with PTFE or “Teflon” tape. You should never use
oil-based pipe dope (typically comes in a tube) to join sprinkler fittings. Some sprinkler fittings are made
of a material called AbS and oil-based pipe dope causes an adverse chemical reaction with it, leading to
premature failure of the fitting or part. PTFE tape is a clean and simple way to join pipe:
Step 1. Hold the tape correctly. Always hold the tape
so that the tape ribbon is going away from you and
under the roll. This is not intuitive your first time, but
with a little practice you will find that it makes a lot of
sense.
Step 2. Wrap. Place the front piece of the tape
ribbon on the second thread from the end of the
fitting or pipe and hold it with your finger. Wrap the
tape away from you and down and around the pipe
at least two times and then start the third wrap with
a 50% overlap of the previous wrap and so on until
you reach the end of the threads furthest from the
end of the pipe.
Step 3. Insert taped fitting into female connection
and tighten until hand tight. Do not overtighten as
this may damage the fitting.
Step 4. Always pressure-test all fittings prior to use.
A small leak will not seal itself and over time can
cause water damage.
aPPendIx
Note: The 1/2" and 3/4" Blu-Lock fittings that connect to the sprinkler heads do not require PTFE tape.
NEVER use oil-based pipe dope on Blu-Lock fittings.
