What Is a Brass Flange Used for in Plumbing?

In plumbing, each component plays a unique role in ensuring our homes and buildings function smoothly. With that said, you might wonder, “What is a brass flange used for in plumbing?” This component often goes underappreciated despite its crucial role. Grab your wrenches as we dive into the intricate depths of these brass flanges. Explore their importance and functions.

What Is a Flange?

A flange, in the context of plumbing, is a fitting that connects pipes, valves, pumps, and other equipment to form a piping system. It provides easy access for things like cleaning, inspection, and modification and is usually welded or screwed. Flanges are generally round in shape, but they can also come in square or rectangular forms.

Ways You Can Use Brass Flanges

Here are the different applications of brass flanges you should know.

Connecting Pipes

Brass flanges are instrumental in facilitating easy connections between different sections of a piping system. They customarily possess external ridges that allow people to screw or bolt them together with matching fittings, creating a secure yet flexible connection. This design feature makes them incredibly practical for scenarios where sections of plumbing need to undergo routine disassembly and reassembly, such as cleaning, maintenance, or system modifications.

Supporting Pipes

Brass flanges not only connect pipes but also provide essential support and reinforcement to the piping system. They’re especially beneficial for larger pipes or those under high pressure, distributing weight and stress evenly to strengthen the structure and prevent failures and leaks. Their flange design allows them to resist high pressure and temperature variations, maintaining structural integrity even in challenging conditions.

Sealing Pipes

Brass flanges play a critical role in sealing pipes to prevent leaks. A tight seal forms when a person bolts two flanges together with a gasket in between. The gasket, typically made from rubber, metal, silicone, or cork, conforms to the shape of the flange surfaces, filling any gaps. When a person tightly bolts the flanges, the compressed gasket creates a robust seal, preventing fluid or gas from escaping.

Attaching Components

Brass flanges are crucial for integrating various components, such as valves, pressure gauges, and control devices, into a plumbing system. These components have their own flange surface that you can securely bolt to a matching brass flange, allowing for easy installation, replacement, or removal.

Now you know how you can use a brass flange in plumbing. It’s safe to say that without its versatility and robustness, plumbing systems would be far less efficient and secure. Next time you turn on a faucet or flush a toilet, remember specialty brass fittings, such as the flange that makes these everyday conveniences possible.