Author: Chris Mabery

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year!

Posted on by Chris Mabery

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

As we approach the Christmas season, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your continued partnership throughout 2024.

In keeping with our commitment to giving back, Howell has once again donated to World Renew on behalf of our clients. Aligning with our shared values of compassion and global responsibility, this donation will help those in need by supporting disaster relief operations across the world, as well as aid with community health development, food security and economic development programs in developing countries.

We hope this Christmas season brings you joy, peace, and prosperity. May our valued partnership continue to flourish in the coming year and beyond.

From the team at

Howell Pipe & Valve Supply

HOWELL PIPE & VALVE SUPPLY

SALES@HOWELLPIPE.COM

1-888-469-3557

Pipe Thread Sealant, Primer & More!

Posted on by Chris Mabery

Pipe Thread Sealants, Primers and more from Oatey

At Howell Pipe & Valve Supply, we stock the full range of Oatey and Masters products, often at lower prices than the big box stores. In this blog post, we’ll show you how Oatey products can help you in your various plumbing projects.

TL;DR

Pipe Thread Sealant

One of the most common and essential products for any plumber is pipe thread sealant, which prevents leaks and corrosion in threaded pipe joints. Oatey offers a wide range of pipe thread sealants, from the classic Pro-Dope with PTFE to Oatey Non-Metallic Compound. Whether you need a sealant for metal, plastic, or mixed materials, Oatey has you covered.

To use pipe thread sealant, you need to apply it evenly and generously on the male threads of the pipe. First, you need to tighten the joint by hand, and then use a wrench to make it snug. Don’t over-tighten the joint, as this can damage the threads and cause leaks. You can test the joint by running water through it and checking for any drips or moisture. If you see any leaks, you can try to tighten the joint a bit more, or disassemble it and reapply the sealant.

Pipe thread sealant is not only useful for plumbing, but also for other applications that involve threaded connections, such as gas lines, air compressors, sprinklers, and more. Just make sure you use the right sealant for the right material and pressure. When working with gas lines, you’ll also want to use Masters Gas Leak Detector, to check your connections are solid. If in doubt, one of Howell’s product specialists will be able to provide the right solution for your job.

Cutting Oil

Another product from Oatey in stock at Howell is cutting oil, which lubricates and cools the cutting tools and the metal pipes. Cutting oil helps to extend the life of the tools, reduce friction and heat, and produce a smooth and clean cut.

To use cutting oil, you need to apply it liberally on the cutting tool and the pipe before and during the cutting process. You can use a brush, a spray bottle, or a drip bottle to apply the oil. You also need to wipe off any excess oil from the pipe after the cut, and clean the tool with a rag.

Cutting oil is not only useful for cutting pipes, but also for drilling, tapping, threading, and reaming metal. Cutting oil can help you create precise and smooth holes and threads in metal, and prevent the metal shavings from clogging the tool or the pipe.

Cements and Primers

Another product that is essential for plumbers is cement and primer, which are used to join plastic pipe and fittings. Cement and primer create a strong and permanent bond between the plastic surfaces, and prevent leaks and separations. Oatey offers a wide range of cements and primers, for different types of plastic pipes, such as PVC, CPVC & ABS.

To use cement and primer, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Cut the pipe to the desired length, and remove any burrs or rough edges with a deburring tool or a file
  2. Dry-fit the pipe and the fitting, and mark the insertion depth on the pipe with a marker.
  3. Apply the primer to the pipe and the fitting, using a brush or a dauber. The primer will soften and clean the plastic surfaces, and prepare them for the cement.
  4. Apply the cement to the pipe and the fitting. The cement will melt and fuse the plastic surfaces, creating a strong bond.
  5. Insert the pipe into the fitting, up to the marked depth, and twist it slightly to spread the cement evenly. Hold the joint for a few seconds, until the cement sets.
  6. Wipe off any excess cement from the joint, and let it cure for the recommended time, depending on the type and size of the pipe and the temperature and humidity of the environment.

Cement and primer are not only useful for joining plastic pipes, but also for repairing cracks and holes in plastic pipes and fittings. Just make sure you use the right cement and primer for the right type of plastic and follow the instructions carefully. Again, Howell is here to help.

Solder

Solder is another essential accessory, which is used to join copper pipes and fittings. Solder is a metal alloy that melts and flows into the gap between the copper surfaces, creating a strong and watertight seal. Oatey offers a variety of solder, such as 95/5 Lead Free Solder, 97/3 Lead Free Solder and Silver Lead Free Solder.

TL;DR

Howell stocks the whole range of Oatey products, designed to make your plumbing and heating projects easier and faster. While they are widely available, Howell is confident we have the best price available. Couple that with our expert advice, and you’ll be wondering why you were ever shopping at a big box hardware store!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to fill in the form below. Thanks for reading, and happy plumbing! šŸ˜€

Sources

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    Copper Pipe & Tube Dimensions Chart

    Posted on by Chris Mabery

    Copper Pipe & Tube Dimensions Chart

    Howell Pipe & Valve Supply offers a wide range of copper products, including copper pipe, tube and fittings.

    Our customers find our Copper Pipe & Tube Dimensions chart to be a valuable resource when designing their projects. The chart shows how the OD, ID and wall thickness changes as the pipe size increases. It also shows working pressure and weight data of different sizes of copper pipe.


    Download the Chart

    Click here to download the Howell Copper Pipe & Tube Dimensions Chart.

     

    For more information about the copper pipe, tube and fittings that Howell stocks, click here

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      Merry Christmas!

      Posted on by Chris Mabery

      Wishing You a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

      We are grateful for the opportunity to thank and wish all our customers, suppliers and business associates a wonderful Christmas season as we prepare to celebrate this joyous occasion.

      As an expression of our gratitude and sincere appreciation, Howell has once again donated to World Renew on behalf of our clients in lieu of giving gifts. This donation will assist with disaster relief operations across the world, as well as help with community health development, food security and economic development programs in developing countries. We thank you for your assistance and for enabling Howell to reach out to those in need.

      We are looking forward to a bright and prosperous 2024!

      From all of us at

      Howell Pipe & Valve Supply

      HOWELL PIPE & VALVE SUPPLY

      SALES@HOWELLPIPE.COM

      1-888-469-3557

      Common PVF Acronyms

      Posted on by Chris Mabery

      Ho’well Do You Know These Industry Acronyms?

      Below are some common terms you might hear in the PVF world. Do you know what the abbreviations stand for?

      Click on the acronym to reaveal the correct meaning.

      PVF

      Pipe, Valve & Fittings

      The collective term used to refer to the components and materials used in plumbing, industrial, and construction applications related to fluid and gas handling systems. PVF components are used in a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, petrochemicals, oil and gas, construction, water supply, wastewater treatment, and more.

      SRL

      Single Random Length

      A length of pipe between 18 and 22 ft long.

      DRL

      Double Random Length

      A length of pipe between 38 and 40ft long.

      ASME

      American Society of Mechanical Engineers

      ASME is one of the oldest standards-developing organizations in America. Founded as an engineering society focused on mechanical engineering in North America, ASME is now multidisciplinary and global

      ISO

      International Organization for Standardization

      Technically this one’s not an acronym, but it’s still important! Because ā€œInternational Organization for Standardizationā€ would have different acronyms in different languages (IOS in English, OIN in French for Organisation internationale de normalisation), their founders decided to give it the short form ISO. Whatever the country, whatever the language, they are always ISO.

      Howell’s Quality Management System is ISO 9001:2015 certified.

      ASTM

      American Society for Testing and Materials

      An international standards organization that develops and publishes voluntary consensus technical standards for a wide range of materials, products, systems, and services.

      DWV

      Drain Waste Vent

      Pipe and fittings used for low pressure drain, waste and vent systems.

      NPT

      National Pipe Thread

      US National technical standards for screw threads used on threaded pipes and pipe fittings

      BSP

      British Standard Pipe

      A set of technical standards for screw threads that has been adopted internationally (except in North America) for interconnecting and sealing pipes and fittings by mating an external (male) thread with an internal (female) thread

      DIN

      Deutsches Institut fĆ¼r Normung

      German Institute for Standardisation – The German national organization for standardization and is the German ISO member body. DIN is a German Registered Association headquartered in Berlin. There are currently around 30,000 DIN Standards, covering nearly every field of technology, including PVF.

      TBE

      Threaded Both Ends

      Pipe that has thread on both ends.

      TOE

      Threaded One End

      Pipe that has thread on only one end.

      MSS

      Manufacturers Standardization Society

      Technical association organized for development and improvement of industry, national and international codes and standards for Valves, Valve Actuators, Valve Modification, Pipe Fittings, Pipe Hangers and Pipe Supports, Flanges, & Associated Seals.

      CSA

      Canadian Standards Association

      A Canadian standards organization which develops standards in 57 areas.

      CRN

      Canadian Registration Number

      A number issued by each province or territory in Canada by an authorized safety authority for any boiler, pressure vessel or fitting that operates at a pressure greater than 15 psig (1 barg).

      ANSI

      American National Standards Institute

      A nonprofit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States.

      NPS

      Nominal Pipe Size

      A North American set of standard sizes for pipes used for high or low pressures and temperatures.

      PVC

      Polyvinyl Chloride

      One of the most common types of plastic used today. PVC pipes are strong and lightweight, while also being relatively inexpensve.

      CPVC

      Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride

      Similar to PVC, CPVC has added chlorine, allowing it to withstand higher temperatures than PVC pipes.

      ERW

      Electric Resistance Welded

      A welding process where metal parts in contact are permanently joined by heating them with an electric current, melting the metal at the joint.

      SAW

      Submerged Arc Welded

      A welding process that involves creating a fusion between metals using an electric arc that’s generated between a continuously fed consumable electrode and the workpiece.

      MTR

      Mill Test Report

      Mill Test Reports provide information about the quality and specifications of the materials used in a particular product. It’s typically associated with metals and alloys, especially in industries where the material’s properties are crucial for safety and performance.

      They provide assurance that the materials are suitable for their intended application and help ensure the quality and safety of the finished product.

      Howell has an online system giving customers 24/7 access to MTRs. Sign up here

      Thanks for playing!

      We hope you enjoyed the industry acronym mini-game, and maybe even learned a little something too!

      Remember, our PVF specialists are always ready to answer any Pipe, Valve & Fitting questions you might have. Complete the inquiry form below and we’ll be in touch ASAP.

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        MSS SP-114 Heavy Pattern Fittings vs Light Pattern Fittings

        Posted on by Chris Mabery

        Stainless Steel Fittings – Heavy Pattern vs Light Pattern

        Stainless steel fittings were originally manufactured to the same dimensions and wall thicknesses as iron fittings and the ANSI B16.3 standard. Later the MSS SP-114 standard was written for Class 150 stainless steel fittings, which was based on ANSI B16.3 dimensions. Today there are serval different patterns that vary in dimensions, wall thickness and weight. Stainless steel fittings to MSS SP-114 specification are to be used when ASME B31 piping code is required. When compared it is easy to see that the lighter pattern fittings are not the same in quality and should be used in limited applications since they do not fully comply with ASTM A351.

        This table summarises the differences between the standards:

        Heavy Pattern MSS-SP-114 Light Pattern
        Rating Class 150 150 PSI
        Applications Industrial Processes Residential and non-critical plumbing
        Material Grades Available in 304 and 316 Available in 304 and 316
        Dimensions Heavy duty wall thickness and larger diameter Significantly less material with thinner wall
        Benefit / Value Long lasting, better erosion protection Costs less
        CRN Registered Yes No
        Temp (ā°F) Class 150
        (Castings) PSIG
        -20 to 150 300
        200 265
        250 225
        300 185
        350 150(a)

        The pressure rating for the MSS SP fittings is 300 psi @ 150 ā°F and is identical to class 150 malleable fittings. As the process temperature increases, the pressure rating decreases.

        Note: (a) Permissible for service temperature up to 366 ā°F, reflecting the temperature of saturated steam at 150 psig.

        MSS SP-114 Heavy Pattern

        Light Pattern

        Organizations & Standards

        • ASTM – American Society for Testing and Materials
        • ANSI – American National Standards Institute
        • ISO – International Organization for Standardization
        • MSS – Manufacturers Standardization Society
          • Further built upon the standards written by ASTM, ANSI, and ISO with more detailed requirements.
        • ASME – American Society of Mechanical Engineers
          • Standards are derived and compiled from the standards released by all four organizations.
        • CRN – Canadian Registration Number
        • ANSI / ASME B1.20.1 – defines the thread dimensions and tolerances.

        Stainless steel fittings are built to a variety of specifications and are not all the same.

        Please consult with one of our product specialists if you’re unsure of the fittings you require.

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