About this reference
Updated
Know Your Pipes explains the pipe and fittings found in American houses, one entry per material, joint, fitting or standard, so that an owner can name what is in the basement and understand what a plumber or inspector is talking about.
1 Who runs it
This reference is owned by the same people who own PlumbingSupplyAndMore (a plumbing and heating supply store), SoftPro Water Systems and Quality Water Treatment (water treatment equipment) and Central Plumbing & HVAC (a plumbing and HVAC service company in Bucks and Montgomery County, Pennsylvania). Some entries link to one of those businesses, and every such link carries a note saying so right beside it. No other company pays for links or placement, and the entries do not rank or review products.
2 How entries are written
Entries are written by the Know Your Pipes editors. Every figure, date, rating and standard number is tied to a numbered reference at the foot of the entry: government agencies such as the EPA, standards and trade bodies such as the Plastics Pipe Institute and the Cast Iron Soil Pipe Institute, model-code publishers, court records and pipe and fitting makers’ own technical documents. When sources could not be confirmed, the claim was left out. Where makers disagree, the entry says so and names each one.
No pipe was lab-tested for this site, no products were reviewed, and no forum anecdotes are used. Each entry shows the date it was last updated.
3 What it is not
Know Your Pipes is not a plumbing contractor and does not install, repair or inspect anything. Entries describe how joining methods work; they are not instructions for soldering, gas piping or other work that needs a license or permit where you live. Which materials are allowed depends on the code your state or city has adopted, so the local building department has the final word.
4 Pictures and video
Most pictures are photographs shared under open licenses, credited on the picture credits page; brand names on pipe and fittings were blurred. Where no suitable photograph existed, the picture is AI-generated and its caption says so. Videos come from pipe makers, water utilities, government agencies and trade bodies, and load only when you press play.