JOINTS. These types of joints are most commonly used with cast-iron pressure pipe and fittings for water mains. These service lines are joined by the use of lead, lead wool, or sometimes a sulfur compound. Mechanical joints are made with rubber sealing rings held in place by metal follower rings that are bolted to the pipe. These are designed to permit expansion and contraction of the pipe without injury to the joints.

THREADED PIPE JOINTS are commonly used on galvanized steel, galvanized wrought iron, and black-iron pipe. The process includes connecting threaded male and female ends. Nontoxic compounds are used for t bread lubricant on water pipes, while powdered graphite and oil are used for steam pipes.

Valves are devices that are used to stop, start, or regulate the flow of water into, through, or from pipes. Essentially, valves consist of a body containing an opening and a means of closing the opening with a valve disk or plug that can be tightly pressed against a seating surface around or within the opening. Many different valve designs are available; however, only the three most common types of valves will be discussed here. They are the gate, check, and globe valves.